04-10-2026, 08:40 AM
Got a scare from Superbird last night. No deliveries today, and since Bike 4, for which I'm finishing up the livery decals, has no maintenance history, I planned to spend today changing oil, checking valve lash, flushing brake fluid, etc. I tracked down spark plugs at a nearby O'Reilly Auto, saving quite a bit over the same NGKs at the BMW dealer.
I dumped the oil on #4 right when I got home, so that I wouldn't get a dribble when I popped the valve covers today, so I jumped on Superbird to run to O'Reilly, and then make my way to dinner with a friend. Came back out with the plugs, put the key in the ignition, and got a slow crank, and the engine light came on. Hmm... The previous owner said "he put a new battery in". But, it's a cheap, Amazon-grade battery, and "just put in" could have been when he bought the bike, which was some time in 2024. I called my friend from my ever-so-handy built-in Sena helmet comms, and asked him to swing by my house to pick me up in case the bike wouldn't start next time after dinner.
Superbird's engine light stayed on the whole 15 minute ride home, but she ran fine. Got home, cycled the key and she started back up, so she's charging. Put her on the tender in her parking spot, and after dinner she fired up with no engine light. Battery connections are clean and tight. Kept her off the tender overnight and will try a few starts later today to see how she does, but might be new battery time.
If I need a parts chaser today with Blood Bike 4 torn down, I've got the Bonneville at the ready.
I dumped the oil on #4 right when I got home, so that I wouldn't get a dribble when I popped the valve covers today, so I jumped on Superbird to run to O'Reilly, and then make my way to dinner with a friend. Came back out with the plugs, put the key in the ignition, and got a slow crank, and the engine light came on. Hmm... The previous owner said "he put a new battery in". But, it's a cheap, Amazon-grade battery, and "just put in" could have been when he bought the bike, which was some time in 2024. I called my friend from my ever-so-handy built-in Sena helmet comms, and asked him to swing by my house to pick me up in case the bike wouldn't start next time after dinner.
Superbird's engine light stayed on the whole 15 minute ride home, but she ran fine. Got home, cycled the key and she started back up, so she's charging. Put her on the tender in her parking spot, and after dinner she fired up with no engine light. Battery connections are clean and tight. Kept her off the tender overnight and will try a few starts later today to see how she does, but might be new battery time.
If I need a parts chaser today with Blood Bike 4 torn down, I've got the Bonneville at the ready.
You know what? I actually would like a pickle.