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Battery Suggestions

Discussion in 'Supersport (1974-2007)' started by Fraser, Oct 10, 2019.

  1. hi all. just bought this 900SL which is gorgeous and was featured in Practical Sportsbikes a few years back when it was restored. However don't think the battery has been changed since and starting is an issue. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a bike that obviously isn't a daily rider :) superlight 1.jpg
     
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  2. Standard Yuasa battery and wire in a trickle charger if you don't have easy access to the battery with fairings on
     
  3. cheers, always have the trickle charger on but think existing battery is beyond that; which is strange cos says charged ok
     
  4. without a fancy battery tester the best you can do is charge it up and leave overnight - if it struggles in the morning it's goosed. They tend to last around 6 years as a finger in the air
     
  5. It depends what is meant by a trickle charger.......leaving a battery on continuous trickle charge won't do it any good.

    A battery tender which sits in the background doing nothing until the voltage drops below 'fully charged' is a better idea.

    The one I am currently using on my Harley is switched on all the time (except when I am riding it of course).

    When first switched on, it shows a flashing yellow light for 30 seconds which indicates it is checking that it is properly connected and the battery is in good condition. It then turns to flashing green light which means it is charging but there is enough usable power to start the bike. After an hour it turns to solid green light, which indicates it is fully charged and it stops charging. If the voltage drops to a certain level over a few days, it would show a flashing green light again, to bring it back to fully charged.

    However, when I bought my SS in 2009 it was fitted with a branded Yuasa lookalike lead acid battery and it was 3 years old. I eventually had to change it in 2013 for a genuine Yuasa one, because one cell failed.

    In the four years I had the battery I only ever charged it twice and topped it up twice, but overall it had lasted for 7 years.
     
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  6. before you do anything check the reg/rectifier as the early ones when they pack up will eat batteries like sweets, especially when it gets cold.

    Other than that Aircon is your battery evangelist and will learn you the path of righteousness-ness
     
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  7. #10 Mark9, Oct 10, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2019
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  8. Could you still have the original weedy looking cables from the battery to the starter solenoid and motor etc? Mine was always a sluggish starter even from new.
    I replaced them all with some heavy duty battery cable I got from work together with professional looking crimps. The difference was nothing short of amazing.
     
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  9. As luck would have it, there is a chap on here that sells bike specific upgraded cables for most duc models, carby ss included ( I assume the SL are the same)
    Can't remember his name..
     
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  10. There's a company in the states that make these....... :D
     
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  11. Elsie... his name is Elsie..
     
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  12. Yes thats it.. named after the toyota
     
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  13. http://www.exact-start.com/our-product-specifications/ @Exige
     
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  14. well reading the write up in the mag, looks like he changed the rec/reg and coils at least 900SL.jpg
     
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  15. Real nice looking bike there mate.. more pics wouldn't be frowned upon!!
     
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  16. What a beautiful bike :heart_eyes:
     
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