Battery time

Going to purchase a new battery for my 78 1000 A2A, looking for sealed because I'm scared to hell of acid dripping on my freshly painted frame, want direct bolt in, is the Yuasa super sealed maintenance free a good choice? Remember reading that possibly a Harley V Rod battery might fit. Any recommendations?
Mike

Here's a listing of batteries(these are dry cell type:
www.pegasusautoracing.com/group.asp?GroupID=BALLISTICEVO2
www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/12cell.html
www.spencercycle.com/category-s/232.htm
www.shoraipower.com/default.aspx
www.motydesign.com/8cell_prod.php
alienmotion.com/
www.turntechbattery.com/TurnTech%20Battery/Welcome.html

Yuasa is always a great choice. They don't make many sealed batterys for older motorcycles though, but they do make one for the KZ1000. Shorai is too dang expensive for what good they accomplish in my opinion. Last battery I got was called Motobatt for the KZ650 and I really like it. They make a battery for most any motorcycle and cost $50-$100 depending on model. Some things I like about it is it comes charged, no need to charge before use, terminals are on both sides of the battery and L adapters included, so one battery can be used in place of 10 yuasa designs. Another neat thing is the terminals of the battery that you screw your cables too are recessed in the battery case so screws directly thread into the battery. No more square piece of crap nuts that fall out, fall down out of reach like Yuasa use.

Tried a Westco AGM battery several years ago. It lasted 3 years on my '78 KZ1000/A2. Replaced this Westco battery today with a Scorpion AGM battery today. The Scorpion is less expensive than the Westco - I will see how long it lasts on this bike.

Was burned by Yuasa batteries: I was left on the road on two separate occasions by this fine brand made in Reading, PA: Once during Bike Week at Daytona right in front of the track in fact and once as I left from work. By the way, the second time it was a Yuasa-made Sears Die(Easy)Hard battery.

Looked into Shorai batteries recently but I too found them too expensive at this time.

I've always used plain old lead/acid Sears Die Hard batteries. In my KZ650-C1 they last about 6 years or so. I run my bike for 15 - 20 minutes at least every 3 weeks in the winter; I suspect if I didn't they might not last as long unless I loosened up my wallet and bought a Battery-Tender. :laugh: Ed

mvent wrote: Going to purchase a new battery for my 78 1000 A2A, looking for sealed because I'm scared to hell of acid dripping on my freshly painted frame, want direct bolt in, is the Yuasa super sealed maintenance free a good choice? Remember reading that possibly a Harley V Rod battery might fit. Any recommendations?
Mike

I use a standard battery with liquid electrolyte, it has an overflow tube that exits low by the center stand pivot.

650ed wrote: I've always used plain old lead/acid Sears Die Hard batteries. In my KZ650-C1 they last about 6 years or so. I run my bike for 15 - 20 minutes at least every 3 weeks in the winter; I suspect if I didn't they might not last as long unless I loosened up my wallet and bought a Battery-Tender. :laugh: Ed

I see them at Harbor Freight on sale for about $5.....

Ordered Yuasa maintenance free sealed battery, should have it in a few days, thanks for suggestions.

Good choice. Running an old water fill battery is no longer an option for me. Them things flat suck, just like points ignition vs electronic. 1950s technology and that is being generous, more like 1920 Model A technology, but chain drive is 1920 technology too. Well, chains can go to hell along with watered batterys.

Not that it matters for you.... but for others...

Via Battery Plus stores...

RonKZ650 wrote: Good choice. Running an old water fill battery is no longer an option for me. Them things flat suck, just like points ignition vs electronic. 1950s technology and that is being generous, more like 1920 Model A technology, but chain drive is 1920 technology too. Well, chains can go to hell along with watered batterys.

:woohoo:

RonKZ650 wrote: Good choice. Running an old water fill battery is no longer an option for me. Them things flat suck, just like points ignition vs electronic. 1950s technology and that is being generous, more like 1920 Model A technology, but chain drive is 1920 technology too. Well, chains can go to hell along with watered batterys.

Look at you! Get a fancy new bike and now you're spoiled rotten!!! :laugh:




I have a LiFePO battery in my 750 twin and it seems to be working fine so far.

Bought two of them for ~ $170 delivered from Alien Motion.