AGM Battery

[Bob_Roller]

Saw this on the Radio Shack website today .

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11909407

Riding season is getting near in North America, so if you need a battery, there's no shipping costs for orders over $50, don't know if that is to the nearest store, or to your home address .

[montmil]

Those are great batteries for our R65s. Identical to the ones from Gruber Power. My '81 is still going strong with this battery after nearly five years. Use a Battery Tender Jr to keep it healthy.

[georgesgiralt]

While we are at it,
The terminals are on the open air. If you are paranoid like me, a simple and neat way to protect them is to find (new if you have to) the battery cover which was fitted when the bike was new (at that time, battery design of the Varta/Mareg was like this one and the posts where bare).
On my Chinese Tashima it fits perfectly and as this one seems to come from the exact same factory.... P/N 61211244265 or 61211244290 price, according RealOem 2.71$...

[Red_Hen]

Saw this on the Radio Shack website today .

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11909407

Riding season is getting near in North America, so if you need a battery, there's no shipping costs for orders over $50, don't know if that is to the nearest store, or to your home address .

Bob / Monte - will this battery fit on any airhead?  Thinking of the R60/5.

Also, what's your take on replacing battery cables on a 40 year old bike that probably has original cables?

[montmil]

Here's the specs on the UB12220:

http://www.staabbattery.com/product/sla-12/UB12220-V.html

[Barry]

For those in the UK these Ultramax batteries seem to be an almost identical spec at £32


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lawnmower-Battery-Ultramax-12V-20Ah-Replaces-F19-12B-/110885757243?pt=UK_Lawnmower_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d14e613b

[Red_Hen]

what's your take on replacing battery cables on a 40 year old bike that probably has original cables?

[Bob_Roller]

I've replaced the negative cables on  both of my roadworthy R'65's, with premade cables from a chain type autoparts store .

I moved the gounding/earthing point from the transmission vent bolt, to the forward side of the lower right hand engine to transmission bolt .

I took a good look at the positive cables and I don't think the over the counter type cables will work, they are too large in diameter .

Euto MotoElectrics has some replacement cables .

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/EME-Battery-s/79.htm

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
In 40 years corrosion may had it's toll. But these cables are big so can stand corrosion and not so expensive so you can afford new ones.
So, I would have a thorough look at them and if suspect buy new ones from BMW. (I've to find the proper gauge, stiffness and correct terminals on non OEM ones)...
You will also have a look at the cable from the diode board to the starter motor... And maybe add a grounding wire from the main ground under the regulator to the diode board ground and to the negative pole of the battery. 3 mm square gauge is good...

[montmil]

The only visual inspections possible on battery cables are at the terminal ends. Corrosion, work hardening and damage may be hidden under the cable's insulation. A VOM will be of little or no help. You'll never know about hidden isues unless you remove the plastic sheathing. And who wants to do that?

Ken, do you remember the LA cab driver's line to Burt Munro in The World's Fastest Indian?

"Open your wallet old man and let the moths out."  Buy the cables, old man.

[Barry]

One thing you could do is measure the voltage drop across the cable while cranking the engine.  

Anyone know the cable size?  

If I assume 16mm² then a half meter length of battery cable should drop only  0.05 volts. at 200 amps which is probably an over estimate of the stater current. 12mm² cable would drop 0.075 volts.

So if you are dropping substantially more say 0.5 volts it would suggest the cables are bad.

[georgesgiralt]

If in doubt, buy new cables....

[Matt Chapter]

If in doubt, ride it!!

Fixed that for you..  8-)