where to put the battery

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derekgreen

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i want to run cones instead of air filters and want it too look decent. im wondering if there is a way i can run the bike without a battery or maybe just moving it? that wouldnt be too insanely difficult. ive poked around a little and havent found what ive been looking for answer wise. bike is a 1982 xs400 heritage special. i dont fully understand the sub model stuff yet as far as knowing if it is an xs400s, j, rj... still a little lost on that.
full
 
Need a battery. Some people opt for a kick start only option with a smaller battery and electronics on a custom seat pan under the seat.

Not too challenging of a project. Tons of battery options to choose from, just need to make sure the charging rate is to spec or the bike will fry the battery in no time.
 
I already saw some people hiding their batteries under the swing arm after removing the main stand.
If you find a small but powerfull enough battery you might remove the starter, go kick only and hide the battery where the starter motor was. Or build a small electrics compartment where you can also hide your fuse box
 
The letter after the model number is mostly a year designation. My bike, for example, is a '79 xs400 f. It has mag wheels, disc brakes, chrome, etc. There is also a xs400 2f, this is also a '79, but the 2f denotes that the bike is the "economy" model, with spoked wheels, usually drum brakes and less "extras."

More on that here.
 
My 79 xs400 had cones on it with the battery still in the stock position, before I made a bobber. I don't think you will have to move it.
 
Thank you guys! and thank you for the links as well. mine is kick start so i may go with a batteryless option at some point once i understand it a bit more. for a now im thinking ill go with a stronger small battery. found a couple links to some dope looking lithium ones. i like just moving it down and lowering the mounting spot for it. but i do have a question about what
full
that thing is. and where can i buy a new one?
 
so from my understanding, if i ran the pamco i could delete the battery and just loop the current wiring set up and it would be able to generate enough to run the lights and shit while im using it? and its strictly ignited by the kick start and the key in the start position.
 
It's the permanent magnet alternator mod plus some additional mods to go batteryless.
 
so i install that on top of the magneto and run that wire to the ignition switch and then i would loop everything else? im not sure that im getting it right lol
 
I don't think any of the modifications involved could be summed up in one line.

As I mentioned above I don't think anyone here has gone batteryless. You'd have to research that one online yourself.

At least one member here, maybe two, have done the PMA conversion and documented their efforts. There are forum threads on the subject.
There is more PMA information on xs650.com since the xs650 alternator wears down a lot faster than ours.

As an upgrade for the bike I don't believe that it's worth the time and money to do the PMA mod on an XS400 unless the bike in question already has a defective alternator. The stock alternator is pretty bulletproof compared to the 650's.

Significant weight and space savings can be had by going kick-only and using a very small battery, and for a fraction of the time, effort, and money involved in the PMA conversion and additional modifications required to go batteryless.
 
Thank you for helping me out. From the sound of it ill most likely be sticking with a smaller battery lol

sounds a lot easier and cheaper to do. (other than battery cost.)

ill gander around and see what i can find with people who have just gone with the smaller battery and relocated it.

love this forum. everyone helps out where they can.
 
I am with BBC360 as the PMA goes, I only suggested it, because I seen your TCI hanging out, looking for a home.

PamcoPetes is about a $125, and its found on the MikesXS. it is meant for the pre-1980 bikes. Even with a brake/turn signal lights converted to LED's. There is a large draw on the Stator, when you slow down to a complete stop. Sometimes seems like it will kill the bike, while your attempting to stop. The bike likes to chew up wires as it is. (makes the white wires brittle between stator and Voltage regulator/rectifier.)


http://www.mikesxs.net/parts/yamaha-xs650-pamco-ignition-for-the-xs400
 

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