Brand new '84 R65 Owner

[ddebonis]

So, I removed the battery and have it charging. I didn't test the volts at the beginning, but after ~4hrs it was 6.5V and now it's 12.6V. Battery Tender has not started blinking green yet.
[IMG width="800" height="600]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-06-29133638.jpg[/IMG]

I had a questions about the wiring and reinstalling the battery safely.

First, see the pictures. It appears the ground is coming from the Negative side.

[IMG width="600" height="800"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-06-29174530.jpg[/IMG]

The positive side has two wires that were attached to it; each leads under the tank to the electronics. What are each of these?

[IMG width="800" height="600"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-06-29174506.jpg[/IMG]

Second, how do I install the battery safely? Connect negative side, then positive? And try not to touch both terminals are the same time?  

-Danny

[Bob_Roller]

The two wires on the positive terminal of the battery, the smaller of the two, supplies power to all of the circuits on the bike, except for the starter .

The large diameter cable, provides power to operate the starter, it is also the power supply from the alternator, the power from the alternator goes to a terminal on the starter, this same terminal has the large diameter cable from the battery on it, when the starter isn't being used, the power from the alternator gets to the battery and the other circuits on the bike through the large diameter cable .

This connection is often forgotten, as it is hidden on the starter, it can get corrosion and cause charging system issues .

It's best to connect the positive wires to the battery first, then the negative .

If you've ever wondered why it's not a great thing to have sparks around a battery, when a battery charges, or discharges, it releases hydrogen and oxygen gas, which are combustible, liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, are used as rocket fuel .

If you've ever witnessed a battery explosion, you would have great respect for the potential hazard it has !!!!!!!

Also, from your picture, the rubber boot that covers the speedometer drive cable as it goes into the transmission, needs to be replaced, when it gets weathered and cracked like yours is, it allows water into the transmission, not a good thing !!!

[k_enn]

If the battery was at 6.5 volts after ~4 hours on the charger, it had been excessively discharged.  Keep an eye on the battery for the next week or so - sometimes they bounce back from such a discharge and hold a charge ok, sometimes they don't.  

k_enn

[Barry]

Always connect positive side first because then it won't matter if you accidentally short the positive connection to the frame with the spanner or screwdriver.

6.5 volts after 4 Hours !!    That's very unusual although it sounds like it's an automatic charger of some sort and some of those behave oddly and are reluctant to start charging a completed dead battery. Expect the charge voltage to rise to 14 - 14.4  volts before it's fully charged.

[EGRG]

Keep in mind, it does start on the 1st or 2nd try most of the time...

It takes a little practice to start the R65. My LS needs a crack of throttle to start on warm days. A little choke on cool days but always a little throttle. If you don't open the throttle it won't start.
Also close the fuel shut off valve. Flooded carbs and cylinder heads take longer to start. Use the center stand as much as possible. Once you get some practice you can save a lot of starter motor effort and battery  energy.
Remember what Barry commented at the beginning of the thread:  A properly adjusted idle speed will cause the engine to idle too slow when cold. It tends to stall. Bear with it for the first minute using the throttle, then enjoy.
Congratulations on your R65 it looks really neat.

[montmil]

Welcome to the herd, Danny.

[Julio A.]

Do you have a larger picture of your seat? It looks very nice.



Darn. I'll blame my browser for that.  

[ddebonis]

Thanks for all your help. Yes, I used an automatic charger. It took overnight to fully charge the battery. I installed it back in the bike without any explosions and went for a ride around town. I'll monitor the battery and may have to figure out how to park it close enough to an outlet to charge the battery without taking it out. I'll start investigating other reasons why the battery may not be charging.

QUESTION: Should I put grease on the battery terminals to prevent corrosion? If so, which kind?

Do you have a larger picture of your seat? It looks very nice.

I'll take more pictures and post here. It's a Corbin seat. I've yet to find another R65 with the same seat.

-Danny

[Barry]

QUESTION: Should I put grease on the battery terminals to prevent corrosion? If so, which kind?

Yes dielectric grease is ideal but vaseline will also work.

[decorn33]

You listed oil leakage from your transmission in your original post. Don't know if you have addressed that yet, but FWIW, I experienced an oil leak from the tranny on my '84 and traced it to the neutral indicator switch.  I had to pull the tranny to replace it, but it worked.

[ddebonis]

decorn33 I have not gotten to the oil leak yet, but thanks for the info.

I am currently working on my buggy turn signal -- look at technical forum for my post about that shortly ("Turn Signal Saga").

Julio A. here are some pictures of my seat you requested.

[IMG width="800" height="600"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-07-06193651.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG width="800" height="600"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-07-06193712.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG width="800" height="600"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-07-06193722.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG width="600" height="800"]http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/ddebonis/2012-07-06193702.jpg[/IMG]