Battery Install Trick

ShiftHappens · Tue 06, May 2014, 13:48:09

I had a hard time installing my new Yuasa battery. Here is what I found on Google.

Important trick to installing a motorcycle battery

That ended my frustration and I thought i'd pass it on.

hubcapsc · Tue 06, May 2014, 14:03:58

That's a great idea.

I took my battery out while on the road last year, and had
the same trouble, ended up using a bit of cardboard instead
of the tubing... (thanks Gordon...)

I like my Yuasa, but I noticed that the battery they have that
fits our bikes at Advance Auto Parts has a selection of nuts for
the bolts... one of the nut choices is very thick... that
would have solved the problem...

-Mike

Paxton · Tue 06, May 2014, 14:05:29

Good trick. Thanks for sharing.

bassman · Tue 06, May 2014, 14:11:24

Good idea....I used to use a flat rubber band doubled the same way but think this method might be a little easier.....

salty1 · Tue 06, May 2014, 14:46:34

I've been using the head of Q tips to do the same thing, but I'll be using the tube trick in the future.

98pacecar · Tue 06, May 2014, 17:15:13

Piece, of a popsicle stick,,,,, fer me....

Pappy! · Tue 06, May 2014, 17:34:05

Toothpick....but I like the hose a lot better

John Schmidt · Tue 06, May 2014, 17:40:43

That's a good reminder. I learned that trick a few decades back and posted it here a few times over the years. But a refresher on a simple idea is worth the time spent. Thanks....and I also prefer using a piece of the hose. I have a set in there now that must be at least 10 yrs. old.

Jess from VA · Tue 06, May 2014, 19:38:47

Does this mean you are not supposed to hammer the post down to fit flush with the skinny nut?

The best part of this little exercise is that the skinny nuts stay in place. Who hasn't slid them in, lifted it into place, begun to wiggle it in and a skinny nut falls out to become lost down in the bike in another dimension beyond space and time?

Hey Rod Serling, give me my nuts back.

Brian · Tue 06, May 2014, 20:35:48

I have used small pieces of black foam pipe insulation or weather stripping. I will try this next time.

Chrisj CMA · Wed 07, May 2014, 13:03:47

Really, this is really a common problem? I just stick the little nut in there and "find it" with the bolt and screwdriver. Never even thought of it as even a potential problem, it just goes on.

Just seems much to do about nothing to me...

R J · Wed 07, May 2014, 13:52:04

Quote from: Chrisj CMA on Wed 07, May 2014, 13:03:47
Really, this is really a common problem? I just stick the little nut in there and "find it" with the bolt and screwdriver. Never even thought of it as even a potential problem, it just goes on.

Just seems much to do about nothing to me...

It is usually when ya got way toooooo many wires attached to the battery.

hubcapsc · Wed 07, May 2014, 14:20:58

Quote from: R J on Wed 07, May 2014, 13:52:04
Quote from: Chrisj CMA on Wed 07, May 2014, 13:03:47
Really, this is really a common problem? I just stick the little nut in there and "find it" with the bolt and screwdriver. Never even thought of it as even a potential problem, it just goes on.

Just seems much to do about nothing to me...

It is usually when ya got way toooooo many wires attached to the battery.

I just had one set (one wire to hot, one wire to ground) of wires - this:

I have a different set of wires now...

I guess it is only a non-issue for you guys with stone stock bikes

-Mike

kyrie6 · Wed 07, May 2014, 14:24:31

I ve used elec. tape. BUT I got a battery last week from a distributor friend was a second no name on it. Which orig, is DEKA or ? BUT, it had the posts threaded for the bolt.

KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood) · Wed 07, May 2014, 15:54:57

I too have always just used a small screwdriver to lift the nut up to make contact with the bolt. Nice idea though

BigChris99 · Thu 08, May 2014, 17:52:50

Quote from: kyrie6 on Wed 07, May 2014, 14:24:31
I ve used elec. tape. BUT I got a battery last week from a distributor friend was a second no name on it. Which orig, is DEKA or ? BUT, it had the posts threaded for the bolt.

DEKA's are good batteries. Don't have a clue who makes them. Us with KLR's like em a lot. I just bought a new one for said KLR.

Earl in Pensacola · Fri 09, May 2014, 07:48:58

I'm one of "those guys" with way too many wires attached directly to the battery.

My solution= I use 1/4" longer bolts!! Done deal-never looked back!!

lljjmm · Fri 09, May 2014, 10:25:59

I use silicone to hold the nut in place, that way it is always stuck in the right place and position.

Before I install battery, I first screw bolt into battery nut (which is in place on the battery ) to ensure contact and that the nut is up tight in the holder, tighten up slightly, then put silicone around the nut (in the slot area) - let cure.
Then install into bike. Never lose a nut again and in the right position.

Jess from VA · Fri 09, May 2014, 10:34:10

I like that idea.

Even though I've never had any real corrosion grow in my bike batteries (like my car batteries), that would seem to take up any room for corrosion to grow in that little pocket. Have always used plenty of dielectric grease, but silicone may be better yet.

Farther · Fri 09, May 2014, 10:54:08

Quote from: Chrisj CMA on Wed 07, May 2014, 13:03:47
Really, this is really a common problem? I just stick the little nut in there and "find it" with the bolt and screwdriver. Never even thought of it as even a potential problem, it just goes on. Just seems much to do about nothing to me...

+1, I didn't know it was a problem until now.

BonS · Fri 09, May 2014, 11:53:18

Quote from: Jess from VA on Fri 09, May 2014, 10:34:10
I like that idea.

Even though I've never had any real corrosion grow in my bike batteries (like my car batteries), that would seem to take up any room for corrosion to grow in that little pocket. Have always used plenty of dielectric grease, but silicone may be better yet.

Most readily available dielectric greases are silicone based so you're fine.

Hoser · Fri 09, May 2014, 15:26:49

It just drops in place fer gosh sake. There a lot harder parts to install. I never noticed any problem installing a battery. The Alternator or U-joint, now that's a different story!

Hoser

hubcapsc · Fri 09, May 2014, 15:47:32

What can I say, some of us are just helpless and inept...

-Mike "all batteries aren't exactly alike"

R J · Fri 09, May 2014, 15:53:02

Quote from: Hoser on Fri 09, May 2014, 15:26:49
It just drops in place fer gosh sake. There a lot harder parts to install. I never noticed any problem installing a battery. The Alternator or U-joint, now that's a different story! Hoser

John, you are one of the few that doesn't have a crap load of wires attached to the positive post. That has a tendency to make the bolt too short.

Hoser · Fri 09, May 2014, 19:13:57

I only have one, it runs to the fuse strip and distributing buss where the tool kit used to be. The terminal on the post has a bolt a hair bit longer to reach the nut. Hoser

hubcapsc · Fri 09, May 2014, 21:02:41

Quote from: Hoser on Fri 09, May 2014, 19:13:57
I only have one, it runs to the fuse strip and distributing buss where the tool kit used to be. The terminal on the post has a bolt a hair bit longer to reach the nut. Hoser

AHA!

-Mike

Stanley Steamer · Sat 10, May 2014, 20:52:20

I'm going to use that trick tomorrow. ..got my new Yuasa delivered yesterday. ...got the acid in, let it soak into the lead plates for an hr per the instructions. ...checked the charge...18.8 volts....

.....instructions said to give an initial charge of 1.4ah for 5-10hrs, or a 6amp charge for 1 hr for the quick charge. ..my charger has a 2,4,6amp setting. ..used a 2amp setting and 3 hrs later the charger said it was full......rechecked the charge, and it was still 18.8 volts...that seems high to me for a "12" volt battery.....or else I need to use a different voltage tester??

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