Battery question...

[bud53phx]

Went to a vintage meet last weekend on the other side of the state. No problem getting there or leaving, but after stopping for gas, the R65LS wouldn't start. All I got was clicking. Two guys on Harleys gave me a push. The previous owner tells me the battery is six years old, so my I plan is to replace it tomorrow. The local BMW dealer quotes me $190 for a battery, while a local m/c parts store has a designed-for-a-Harley YTX20L-BS (as listed in the stickies) for $80. Just want to confirm it'll fit and work. The guy at the store said the battery is 7/16ths of an inch wider than stock R65 battery. Think it'll do the job?  

[JPSpen]

Well, you don't go to a motorcycle dealer for a battery...

Go to a battery shop.....

You'll save 20-30 dollars and get the same or better battery..All you need is the number off the old battery and then tell them you want an AGM...See what you get....

John

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Or if you don't mind an old-fashioned lead-acid battery, they can be had at Wal-Mart for less than $30.

But sealed batteries have spoiled me, for the non-damage to the paint on the frame, if nothing else.

Measure your battery and take the figures and a tape measure with you.
See if this one will fit: http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-UIP-7-Lawn-and-Garden-Battery/16782695

[Bob_Roller]

If you can wait about a week for a battery, I don't think you can go wrong with one of these .

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

Shipping to Phoenix was about $15US, last year .

I've got three of them, two in R65's and one in an 1150 oilhead .

Fit perfectly and you never have to worry about adding water to the cells .

[montmil]

 [smiley=thumbup.gif][size=16]+[/size] on the Staab AGM battery. They light up both my R65s.

Added note: Forgot to mention this, but Justin arranged for a discount to R65 dot orgers who ask for it. Every bit helps.

Monte

[Semper Gumby]

My Odessy PC680 has been in since 2006... 8-)

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

My Odessy PC680 has been in since 2006... 8-)

Same battery, same year, same  8-)

[Barry]

Measure your battery and take the figures and a tape measure with you.

You absolutely have to do this. I've seen lots of batteries listed for an R65 that wouldn't fit the carrier. Correct size is 186mm long x 81mm wide x 171mm High.  Width is the usual critical dimension that they get wrong. And be careful where you measure. As was pointed out on a recent thread 81mm is the max. width of the battery  top. The main body of the battery that has to fit in the carrier is several mm smaller something like 75mm.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And length is even more critical if you want to get it past the sub-frame rails without taking something apart.

[bud53phx]

Thanks for all the good advice! Went to the local motorcycle parts store over the weekend. They had a battery in stock, but the front counter was so crowded and the wait was so long that I opted to go around back to service and have a tech put it in. Guess what? As you warned me and I cautioned him, the battery was too big for the tray. The tech did check my old battery and discovered its shelf life was down to about 34 percent (charge was 71 percent) and it only showed 9 volts. He said the voltage suggested it might not be the battery, but figured with a six-year-old battery it might be worth giving replacement a shot first before troubleshooting further. It's now on order. Again, thanks.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thanks for all the good advice! Went to the local motorcycle parts store over the weekend. They had a battery in stock, but the front counter was so crowded and the wait was so long that I opted to go around back to service and have a tech put it in. Guess what? As you warned me and I cautioned him, the battery was too big for the tray. The tech did check my old battery and discovered its shelf life was down to about 34 percent (charge was 71 percent) and it only showed 9 volts. He said the voltage suggested it might not be the battery, but figured with a six-year-old battery it might be worth giving replacement a shot first before troubleshooting further. It's now on order. Again, thanks.  

Motorcycle store?  How much?

[bud53phx]

Battery was like $90 and, yes, I know I could get it cheaper online. While I'll avoid paying $190 to a multi-store dealer, I am willing to pay a little extra to support a local businessman who has roots in the community, provides jobs and gives back to the community.