There I was enjoying myself last weekend, and the bike quit on me. The charge/neutral lights were intermittent, and mostly they were pretty dim. The bike might start, but then almost immediately it would shut down. I inspected all the connections to the battery and even looking at the coil and regulator area inside the front cover. I couldn't find anything amiss. I was about ready to whip out my cell phone to call a buddy for help, when up he rolls on his mid '70s CB750...his ears must have been burning!
We discuss things for a bit. I try one more time and the bike just won't run. Off he goes to get his trailer and I get her home. I quizzed a few people and it was Vech that wondered about my battery. I bought a maintenance free battery from him about 3 years ago. This was my first non lead-acid battery...I've heard about the AGM-type batteries falling off a cliff and not working. But Vech said that the singles vibrate so much, they destroy the sensitive AGM batteries...he doesn't recommend them anymore for the singles. Now you tell me!!
I get one shipped from Vech. I put the battery acid in...interesting there wasn't enough in the package to fully charge each cell. I went up to Alamo BMW and they had some from other battery jobs and topped me off. Thanks Alamo BMW!! The voltage was 6.26v after sitting an hour or so, and now the charger is on it for another 20-24 hours or so. Trickle charging at 0.333 ma. Once it goes back in the bike, I'll need to verify around 7.2v charging when the bike is revving to be sure I get good charging and also no overcharging leading to acid spills.
Here's a picture of the failed Blitz battery and the new battery. I didn't like the garish white case, so I bought some textured semi-gloss black Rustoleum. I sanded the case a bit and taped across the area where the fill lines are, then removed it after painting.
We discuss things for a bit. I try one more time and the bike just won't run. Off he goes to get his trailer and I get her home. I quizzed a few people and it was Vech that wondered about my battery. I bought a maintenance free battery from him about 3 years ago. This was my first non lead-acid battery...I've heard about the AGM-type batteries falling off a cliff and not working. But Vech said that the singles vibrate so much, they destroy the sensitive AGM batteries...he doesn't recommend them anymore for the singles. Now you tell me!!
I get one shipped from Vech. I put the battery acid in...interesting there wasn't enough in the package to fully charge each cell. I went up to Alamo BMW and they had some from other battery jobs and topped me off. Thanks Alamo BMW!! The voltage was 6.26v after sitting an hour or so, and now the charger is on it for another 20-24 hours or so. Trickle charging at 0.333 ma. Once it goes back in the bike, I'll need to verify around 7.2v charging when the bike is revving to be sure I get good charging and also no overcharging leading to acid spills.
Here's a picture of the failed Blitz battery and the new battery. I didn't like the garish white case, so I bought some textured semi-gloss black Rustoleum. I sanded the case a bit and taped across the area where the fill lines are, then removed it after painting.