'82 1100e battery

[Rob S.]

Here's a challenge: design a bike whose battery is harder to access than the 1100EZ. I replaced the stock airbox with APE pods nine months ago, and had forgotten that even that does not provide easy access.

I decided to charge my battery, and rather than just relying on the idiot lights (clamps reversed, charging, charged) on my "DieHard Battery Charger & Maintainer", I thought I should remove the battery to check the electrolyte levels.

No go. Okay, two bolts off and a towel to lift the rear of the tank.

No go. Okay, four more bolts and a frame cross member removed, and the battery is free and clear.

To the point: all six cells had between an inch or two of acid.

Down to the laundry room, fill 'er up with regular (NYC tap water).

Before removal, I noticed that the vent tube had become disconnected from the battery.

Bike always cranks strongly, but it never has to for more than two seconds before she starts.

It's an old PO battery ("EverStart, Walmart"), and I'd like to keep it as long as possible.

Comments, suggestions, name-calling?

[Rob S.]

Although it was bubbling away ("charging") for hours before I removed it, 20 minutes on the charger after filling it and it indicates "charged".

[blowerbike]

think about an AGM battery in the future.
no more acid damage from spills or fumes.
plus there only a few bucks more if you shop around.

[bonanzadave]

battery is harder to access than the 1100EZ.

BTDT ! I feel your pain.

[bwringer]

Crikey, are people still dumping leaky nasty acid-oozing low-rent pitiful old-fashioned wet batteries into their GSs?

I thought this was 2014.