New Here - Battery Fire, Please Help.

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by Blu19RS, Jun 7, 2023.

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  1. Blu19RS

    Blu19RS New Member

    Jun 7, 2023
    1
    3
    GA, USA
    Hello All,

    Hi! I'm Jonathan. Longtime forum user but new here and I have quite the story to tell.

    Purchased my 2019 Speed Triple RS brand new in February 2020.

    Since purchased I've added several upgrades; carbon fiber bits, SC Project Exhaust... then lastly and as it turns out, fatally for her, a lightweight 'racing' Lithium Battery.

    I'm not sure yet where things will go legally so I won't speak publicly yet about the Brand/Type of lithium battery but I'll say they're prominent in the aftermarket lithium battery market and if you know anything about lithium race batteries, you've probably heard of them.

    I installed the battery around 02/20/2022 and kept it on a CTEK Lithium Smart Charger everyday when the bike was on her stand in the garage.

    This past Sunday was a beautiful day so I decided to take the bike out for a leisure ride. Unfortunately about 15 minutes into the ride the bike suddenly shut off. EVIC/Engine everything. I try hitting the starter/power button and nothing. Look down and see fire in-between my legs @ 50ish MPH.

    Needless to say, going "Oh Shit" and safely getting to the shoulder of the road was my first task which I completed successfully. Next I dialed 911 and thankfully Police/Fire crews were there within minutes and put out the fire.

    Before it was put out, it took out the battery cover, front of the gas tank, all the wiring going to the switch gear on handlebars, most of the harness going in and out of the neck, intake/air sensor, upper and lower air-boxes, frame in-fills and some other battery compartment pieces. I just pulled the lower airbox cover and engine and other main components appear to be fine.

    My insurance has decided total the bike but seeing as there is only about $2k difference between surrendering the bike to Junker/Copart vs keeping it and rebuilding it, I'm leaning towards rebuilding her/upgrading her using a donor bike. (If its possible depending on ECU/Keyless etc which is where hopefully someone here can help?)

    My questions for any Speedy/Triumph Guru's, is:

    1. Can I swap out an entire harness/switches from another bike?
    2. If I can, what years will work and are there any specific requirements I should be looking for other than RS model? (I'm guessing 2018-2020?)
    3. Does anyone have exploded view parts diagrams or service manuals for a 2019 Speed Triple RS?
    4. Lastly, is this is a fools errand due to ECU/Keyless or other embedded electronics?



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    • WTF WTF x 2
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  2. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    Howdy Jonathan :cool:
     
  3. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Dec 21, 2021
    568
    243
    Yorkshire
  4. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Elite Member

    Feb 5, 2021
    1,902
    800
    South Jersey, The 51st State
    Howdy from up the pike in Jersey.

    Personally, I'd just opt for a new bike and be done with it, unless you have a lot of time on your hands, the right tools, mechanical skills and fancy doing a rebuild, during which time you'd not be riding it.
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
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  5. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
    Subscriber

    Sep 25, 2018
    1,984
    1,000
    Hertfordshire
    I have to say that I can’t see why you’d opt for a rebuild if your insurance company will replace the bike?
     
    • Agree Agree x 6
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  6. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Well-Known Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    212
    93
    Downham Market, Norfolk
    There has been some significant heat around the frame headstock. Is it still serviceable ?
     
    • Like Like x 2
  7. Linx

    Linx Well-Known Member

    Mar 14, 2020
    195
    93
    Stratford Upon Avon, UK
    Lithium batteries/charging are the biggest cause of fires these days.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
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  8. speeder

    speeder Noble Member

    Jan 3, 2019
    405
    313
    dorset
    I agree, easy enough to do on old bikes, but with modern dedicated electronics on newer bikes a rebuild attempt would land you in a world of pain.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
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  9. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse,he's out of bed again

    May 25, 2014
    1,491
    750
    Birmingham
    Get rid and take a new bike.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
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  10. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Jul 25, 2020
    2,564
    750
    Home of Amazing Grace
    All the hype about LiFePO4 batteries and the weight they save is pure marketing crap. I defy anyone to be able to notice the difference the minuscule weight loss makes to a bike’s performance. Go for a reputable AGM at probably half the cost and relish the peace of mind that will ensue.
     
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  11. Blu19RS

    Blu19RS New Member

    Jun 7, 2023
    1
    3
    GA, USA
    Howdy Fork Lock,

    I'm fighting over valuation right now with insurance. They're only offering 13k to surrender it or 11k to keep it, and I could either rebuild it or part it out. I'm hoping to get a little more out of insurance but still feel like even if I just part it out myself, I'd rather get all the money I can instead of just giving up to Copart. Especially with all the aftermarket goodies and other factory bits I've added.

    Many others are saying I should walk away due to electrics and I'm leaning that way, taking the money and getting something new but I'm still leaning towards parting out the bike myself to try and get all the value I can from the parts.
     
  12. Blu19RS

    Blu19RS New Member

    Jun 7, 2023
    1
    3
    GA, USA
    Fighting insurance for 'replacement cost' and I have a bunch of aftermarket pieces so I'll make more money if I keep it and part it out or rebuild.

    Thats a good question and now something I'm considering to just part the bike out as a result.
     
  13. Blu19RS

    Blu19RS New Member

    Jun 7, 2023
    1
    3
    GA, USA
    100% an expensive lesson but one I have definitely learned. I have AGM's in my Truck and Trans Am, never had a problem. Tried Lithium in the bike for the added weight savings and it blew up on me. Never again.
     
  14. MICK LEONARD

    MICK LEONARD Well-Known Member

    Oct 31, 2022
    54
    68
    SOUTH COAST UK
    Hi mate and welcome to the forum. Bad luck on the bike, but Lithium batteries are problematic and best avoided. Gel ones are much better and safer. Scrap the bike and start again mate. lesson learned and you are safe.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
  15. timboo

    timboo Senior Member

    Oct 17, 2021
    271
    113
    Cambridgeshire
    Wow

    Sorry that is my like I cant suss how to do different emojis on an iphone.
    That looks a right mess owing to the nature fire there is a passibility the further you dig the more problems you will encounter and may not have identified already.
    Fortune favours the brave however with fire damage not sure I’d chance it.
     
  16. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
    1,000
    North West England
    Hi and welcome, new bike for me every day. Who knows what you will find once you pull it apart.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    2,940
    800
    Yorkshire
    You obviously like a challenge to even consider rebuilding it IMO. $2k isn't much when you consider the cost of a decent donor bike. Wether you rebuild yours with bits from a donor or rebuild a donor with bits from yours, it's an awful lot of faff with potential to turn into a frustrating money pit. I get the bike may hold some sentimental value for you so I guess it's up to you where you draw the line. Good luck either way.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  18. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse,he's out of bed again

    May 25, 2014
    1,491
    750
    Birmingham
    Adding to the above, if you part it out there is always the chance you could get stuck with half a bike that nobody wants, it happened to a mate with his Kawasaki 636 some time ago. Also fire damage may go deeper than you realise.
     
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  19. Ge-Minigun

    Ge-Minigun Active Member

    Sep 20, 2021
    118
    33
    Virginia (USA)
    Must ask yourself…how long do you want to set on the bike with parting it out? I parted out a BMW R75/5 years back and sat on a couple big parts (transmission and rear wheel) for close to two years before selling them…I was actually getting ready to break the transmission apart for the aluminum and toss the steel parts when a guy purchased it, I did end up tossing and giving away a bunch of smaller parts. You will get to a point where with the part will that is going to happen, just a note. No way I would rebuild it after a fire, not only did the heat weaken some of the metal the water damage alone is enough for me to walk, car different story…bike, nope thanks for the money. You might be able to get a couple thousand out of the parts, but as mentioned is that going to be worth it in the end when it’s setting in your garage leaking oil because someone only wanted an engine cover or seal…
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Hi and welcome to the forum :cool:
    Personally I would take the money and run - as far away from your old bike as possible.
    You are setting yourself up for a world of pain if you try a rebuild as others have said.
    It's a bugger it happened but the bike took the damage not you - go new bike shopping :D
     
    • Agree Agree x 4

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