Information on Motorcycle Batteries
- Buy the right battery, as determined by your owner's manual. Maintenance-free batteries are permanently sealed to prevent water loss so you don't have to add water or electrolyte. Conventional motorcycle batteries, on the other hand, provide the highest cranking power but require occasional maintenance.
- Excessive vibration is detrimental to your motorcycle battery. Vibration causes the plates inside to lose their surface prematurely, a process called shedding. Motorcycle batteries are designed with material that resists vibration, and glass matting between the plates that prevent shedding.
- What's the first thing that dealers do when you buy a new motorcycle or replace an old battery? They fill the battery with electrolyte, slap it on the bike and start it up. This gaffe guarantees that your new battery will never achieve more than 80 percent of its cranking power. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
- Cut the end off the vent tube. Add electrolyte until it is halfway between the high and low marks on the battery case. Wait two hours, then add electrolyte until it reaches the high mark. Charge the battery for four to five hours. Let cool and recheck fluid level. Add water if necessary.
- According to Motorcycle Consumer News, you should occasionally disconnect your battery for maintenance, even if it looks clean. Remove the battery. Brush the terminals with baking soda and water until clean, then use fine-grit sandpaper or a wire brush to ensure the cleanest connection. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease or petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Reconnect the terminals.