Breva 1100 starting problem. I don't think it's startus interruptus

[Doppelgaenger]

So lately my bike will start about half the time.

The other half of the time when I push the start button, I hear a clunk as the starter solenoid engages and then the entire bike just goes dead. Eventually, if I let it sit, I'll see the boot up screen in the display and the bike will power up again. I can solve the problem every time by removing the seat, loosening the negative battery terminal and then tightening it back down. If it's not clunking, the bike will start as if there isn't a problem at all.

It's not the end of the world, but it's annoying, slightly embarrassing, and the negative terminal screw is starting to get pretty chewed up from trying to crank down hard on it to make a good contact.

Has anyone had this problem and solved it before? Search results are overwhelmed by startus interruptus which I don't think this is.

[Kev m]

When it happens have you tried just cycling the ignition key off/on again?

[Wayne Orwig]

Entire bike goes dead, that is no 'startus interuptus'.

Have you tried removing AND CLEANING all of the battery terminals. And do the same at the other ends of the cables, in particular the ground cable where it attaches to the block.

Solder a couple of wires to a small 12 volt bulb. When it happens again see if power stays up and the battery terminals. It is not unheard of to have a cracked post inside the battery cause that.

[pete roper]

As Wayne sez, dirty battery connections. Betcha...

[Doppelgaenger]

Entire bike goes dead, that is no 'startus interuptus'.

Have you tried removing AND CLEANING all of the battery terminals. And do the same at the other ends of the cables, in particular the ground cable where it attaches to the block.

Solder a couple of wires to a small 12 volt bulb. When it happens again see if power stays up and the battery terminals. It is not unheard of to have a cracked post inside the battery cause that.

I cleaned the #$%& out of the battery terminals and put dielectric grease on them. I didn't think of the ground cable though and I'm going to be taking the gas tank off to change the oil pressure sensor soon so I'll give it a shot there.

Great ideas. Thanks!

[ITSec]

I cleaned the #$%& out of the battery terminals and put dielectric grease on them. I didn't think of the ground cable though and I'm going to be taking the gas tank off to change the oil pressure sensor soon so I'll give it a shot there.

Great ideas. Thanks!

OH NO!!!! "Dielectric grease"? Batten down the hatches and prepare for the invective... 

Seriously, the best thing for battery terminals is plain old Vaseline or a dressing specifically for battery terminals. Dielectric grease has its purposes, but it's non-conductive and normally should only be used as a sealant rather than for anti-corrosion.

[OlDogface]

My guess is a cracked negative terminal. Replace the battery.