The Age Old Battery Question

[faze]

Hey gang, I need your help since my reading comprehension skills seem to be lacking. I am wondering what an ideal battery is for my 1978 Yamaha XS400-E. I've used the search function, and read several threads on the subject, but the answer remains unclear. I want to maintain electric start (and kick), and while I am not 100% opposed to something of the stock variety, smaller and lighter does sound appealing.

What do you recommend? Please send any recriminations to PMs.

 

[xschris]

In the manual it will say what battery is needed for the bike. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-12N...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d4798f864&vxp=mtr This is what the bike should have. You can put a smaller battery with the same cranking amps (or more) in it but those are very expensive If you go kick only you can find a very small and light (about a pound) for around $10-20. You just have to make sure they have a charge rate of 14.5-15v or you will fry them.

 

[faze]

Thanks for the reply, Chris, and for the very specific link.

Have you guys put acid in battery before? I bet that's trippy. I remember topping of the batteries in my old tracked vehicle in the Army, but only vaguely (long time ago). That was probably only distilled water, though.

Any links to a smaller batter with the same CCA?

 

[xschris]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antigravity...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5afd3a8683&vxp=mtr Some people have used these.

 

[Wolfe_11B]

I run one of these- http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-7a...ry_Code=04-12-volt-sealed-lead-acid-batteries

Small, cheap, and electric starts works fine so long as your carbs are proper and its not cold out.

 

[faze]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antigravity...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5afd3a8683&vxp=mtr Some people have used these.

Holy crap that's tiny! Tempting, even at that price.

 

[Lou Ranger]

... Have you guys put acid in battery before? I bet that's trippy.

The regular 12N12A battery comes dry in a box. Also in the box is a plastic bottle with the acid along with a convenient little filler tube and good instructions.
Did this twice last year, each time it was easy and didn't spill a drop. Takes a bit of time though as you have to let the liquid settle and the bubbles rise, then top up a couple of times before installing it in the bike.

Up here the damn things are nearly double the price in the U.S., however, every one I looked at was made in the same Taiwan factory (the good China, not the bad one), and just had a different "house" brand depending which store was selling it.
As I recall, Wally had the lowest price - $10 less than CdnTire.

 

[RichieRiot]

I have been looking at the Antigravity batteries online. I like the size but when I check the compatibility it says it won't work on an XS400. Has anyone tried it on a kick/electric XS400?

 

[Lou Ranger]

Apparently, the issue with these is not size or capacity but their inability to tolerate the voltage vagaries to which our 30+ yr old charging systems can subject them.
If your bike's output goes outside the battery's tolerance limits it wrecks the battery.

 

[mmcdx]

in my old tracked vehicle in the Army

this is still a task in some army vehicles, but the new tracks have too many electronic components that we no longer have to worry about this. just don't forget to turn off master power!