Battery Died on me Last Night

Hello Fellow KZ Fans,

My 3 year old battery failed last night on my way home and left me stranded. Long story short I did not do the proper maintenance on my battery traditional wet cell battery and I need to get a new one. I have always in the past used wet cell batteries but now it seems like there is more and more talk about AGM batteries or maintenance free dry cell.

What are the thoughts on these batteries?
Are they worth the extra money?
Are they compatible with a 77 KZ650B charging system?
Would or do any of you run them?

Thanks,
Ty

I can't think of any reason to keep a normal lead acid wet cell when there are many better options. Gel or AGM are both maintenance free and quite cheap - sure they might cost a little more than a lead acid, but they're a set-and-forget, and well worth the little extra.

I'm using a lithium in my motorbike - 220CCA and 600 grams. They're great for starting current, but don't have the capacity as the other batteries. My brother has had one in his bike for a couple of years now, and hasn't had any problems.

They don't usually just go like that. Sure it's not something else? No kick start?
Steve

Irish Yobbo,
Thanks for the information. I was not sure I thought I read you need cretin charge requirements.
Steve,
No...I do not have the kick start on it. I took it off a few years ago because the detente to keep in when not in use was not working and kept swinging out and hitting me in the leg. It always starts and never ever had a starting issue with this bike, So I never got around to fixing it. The bike was giving me all of the warning signs on the long trip and I was hoping it was going to make it. First I noticed the turn signals were starting to blinking sower than normal. Then after a few more miles the signals would not work if the brake light was on. Then after that the signals would not work at all. All during this time I could see the headlight getting dimmer and dimmer. When it finally died at the intersection, I was on a good down hill slop and I tried to push start it but no luck. Since then I have topped off the fluid levels in the battery and recharged it to get me going since this is my only mode of transportation this week. (Guy has to get to work right) The battery seems to be holding charge at 13.5 volts give or take a little. The charging system is 13.7 to 13.8 volts at 4000 rpm. Work is busy as hell and I have very little time in the evening to do much searching on the web for a new battery. I will work on that this week end unless I start seeing the signs again then I will have to something.
Thanks for the help.
Ty

High Tech Battery Solutions. Fast, cheap and stand by their warranty.
Steve

At 4000 RPM, you should be getting 14.5 v.
Pete

I will be sure to check out High Tech Battery Solutions.

14.5 volts at 4000??? OK I will have to take a more in depth look into the charging system then.

Thanks I will look into that.

Ty

Do you have the Kawasaki Service Manual for your KZ650-B1? If so, and assuming you have the stock voltage regulator, you can use the instructions in the manual to adjust the regulator if needed. That's one of the neat things about the 1977 KZ650 models. Ed

Here is something 650ed posted over a year ago, that might help you diagnose the problem
Pete
www.kzrider.com/media/kunena/attachments/2795/IMG_0711a.jpg

Ed,
No I don't have a service manual...I have always found out what I needed to know from all of the great posts here on KZR. I had no idea you could adjust the regulator. See that's why I love this forum, I always seem to learn something. I will have to see if I can locate one.
Thanks Ed

Pete,
Great info on how to diagnose charging system.
Thanks Pete

Ty

You should thank 650ed, it was one of HIS, old post's I dug up !!
but like 650ed said , you should definitely get yourself a Genuine Kawasaki service manual for your specific year & model bike, ..you wont regret it
& DONT waste your money on a Clymer's, or Haynes manual
Pete

rhityx02 wrote: Ed,
No I don't have a service manual...I have always found out what I needed to know from all of the great posts here on KZR. I had no idea you could adjust the regulator. See that's why I love this forum, I always seem to learn something. I will have to see if I can locate one....

Maybe this will help until you track down a manual. Ed