Motorcycle & Automobile Q & A Forum

Q: My 12-volt motorcycle battery is completely dead. Can I jump start my motorcycle with my portable car battery charger?

A: It will depend on two things: 1) whether or not your battery is truly ‘completely’ dead and 2) the capacity of your portable car battery charger. Many car battery chargers do not have a setting for ‘jump starting’ another vehicle. If your car battery charger has a setting for jump starting, then follow all safety procedures and use it to start your motorcycle. If it does not have such a setting, then you can try hooking it up to your motorcycle battery, again following all necessary safety precautions, and try to charge up your motorcycle battery enough to get it to turnover.

Q: How can I clean my own spark plugs?

A: If your plugs have oily residue on them, such as two-stroke engine plugs frequently do, start by using a tiny bit of gasoline and a toothbrush to remove all of that. Then use a wire brush to get the rest of the top area dirt, grime, carbon, etc. Rub the brush, briskly, on the plug in all directions and angles. Finish with a small piece of fine Emory cloth or sandpaper. Fold it over once and slide it between the two contacts – then slide it back and forth 15-20 times to remove debris stuck to those critical points. Now check and make sure that the gap is still within specifications. Finally, be sure to clean all the debris off the plug before reinstalling it in your engine. This can be done with compressed air and/or some gasoline and a toothbrush. NOTE: be sure to check the porcelain on the plug to ensure it’s not cracked or chipped – if it is, replace the plug.

Q: I have a car that I only drive about once or twice a month. The battery gets discharged when the car is not used. How can I prevent that from happening?

A: It is inescapable that a CONNECTED battery loses a very small part of its charge – even when not being ‘used.’ The battery is, actually, being used however. The loss of power is just very minute – such as running an electric clock, etc. In any event, purchase a Battery Tender and hookup your battery. They’re inexpensive, and work like a charm. If your battery is fully discharging between uses, you’ll likely need to replace the battery.

Q: How can I clean my battery and battery terminals – safely?

A: Start by disconnecting the negative (-) lead from the battery. Now remove the positive lead. This will ensure the operation is safe for your car, and for you. Now, you can brush off any loose debris with a scrub brush or a toothbrush. Once that’s done, use a wire brush to clean the terminals. If you don’t have a wire brush, the carefully pour some white vinegar over the terminals. This will dissolve away any corrosion or discoloration almost instantly. At this time, if you deem it necessary, you can use a small brush and mild cleaning solution to clean the rest of the battery case. When it’s all done, use a piece of sand paper to ‘rough up’ the two terminals – and ensure a really solid connection to the leads. Now put a dab of grease onto each terminal and re-attach the positive lead first, followed by the negative lead. Make sure the connections are tight and solid. Finish off by putting a dollop of grease on each terminal and spreading it around to waterproof, and otherwise protect, the entire connection.