mounting battery under gearbox

[GoBears0305]

I want to fabricate a box that will get mounted underneath my gearbox where my collector/H-pipe used to be. My question is, should I be concerned with heat from the mufflers or anything else?

Here's an old side shot. You can see the gap where the exhaust collector used to be.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3589284659_57442c1e86.jpg">

Here's a recent shot so you can see where the mufflers are positioned. The distance between the mufflers and the battery box would be roughly 1 1/2 - 2 inches. It's a sealed battery that will be positioned on it's side, so clearance with the road is not an issue.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3589278271_b7ca61d204.jpg">

 

[pawn]

you should be concerned with the swingarm crushing down on it and road debris hitting it. I don't know what good it would do mounting the battery down there would do, you certainly wouldn't be able to conceal it without it looking like a block (ie not attractive.) I imagine heat could be an issue as well, but you could make a top of the box with some sort of heat shield that could help that.

 

[GoBears0305]

you should be concerned with the swingarm crushing down on it and road debris hitting it. I don't know what good it would do mounting the battery down there would do, you certainly wouldn't be able to conceal it without it looking like a block (ie not attractive.) I imagine heat could be an issue as well, but you could make a top of the box with some sort of heat shield that could help that.

I mocked up a battery box out of cardboard. It mounts in front of the swing arm and below the gearbox. It's going exactly where the old crossover/H-pipe used to be. You can also see the two points the box will mount to.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/3609054709_4cbff51050.jpg">

And agreed about the heat shield (for the top and sides of the box). Here it is semi-hidden behind the shorty mufflers. There's no issues with clearance with the brake or shift levers; and there's about 2 inches between the box and the muffler.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3609055015_9c3d9d16b1.jpg">

So is this a good idea? I liked it because it transfers weight from the top to the bottom of the bike, and it cleans up the area under the seat.

 

[Maritime]

I would say that it should be fine if the box is stronge enough to protect the battery from impacts of rocks and 2" should be enought clearance for heat. I can actually rest my shoes on my pipes and they are not hot enough to melt them after 100 KM of hard riding. I have the exact mufflers on a 450 twin. and it is air cooled where your CX is liquid cooled. 2" Should be enough air space between mufflers and box. I might steal this idea to clean up my bike and remove the side covers as I removed my H pipe too as it was heavy and rusty. I need a new battery and want to go sealed and smaller.

 

[Rocan]

why not just put it in the seat hump...

i mean really.... its only about 6 pounds being moved to the bottom...

wont help with stability too much at all

 

[GoBears0305]

why not just put it in the seat hump...

i mean really.... its only about 6 pounds being moved to the bottom...

wont help with stability too much at all

That was my initial plan. but with the way i'm doing my seat, it's not possible without chopping the cross brace at the rear of the frame.

ehhh...i like the way it looks and it's something a bit different from everyone else...so i'm headed to the welder next weekend!

 

[Zonda]

Go for it that's what moding old bikes is about ;D nothing you do is wrong/bad, the heat will be an issue if you sit for any great length of time, and if that's an issue make the box out of F/glass as the glass acts as an insulator, the biggest killer of batteries is vibration so rubber mount or get a GOOD quality gel battery.

Rod from OZ 8)

 

[Rocan]

seat hump is a cop out.
does nothing to improve handling.
Your mounting position is cutting edge (really-mass centralisation, lower CoG,etc) ;D ;D
Suzuki Intruder had battery mounted behind transmission since 1987
Rocan, have you actually ridden a bike at reasonable speed through twisty bits?
It doesnt sound like it

PJ

yes, i have. And unless if you really need to shave a second or two off of your daily commute, id keep it simple and keep it up high.

For me its not really about looks in this situation... just the pain of worrying about the battery getting destroyed by the road beneath

 

[GoBears0305]

I wish I could take credit for this welding, but I have to admit that this was the work of a welding jedi master (Thanks Dennis at Norman Racing in Berkeley, CA). Can't wait for tomorrow to get it all mounted underneath the gearbox. Those welding puddles are freakin amazing!!!
FYI...this is a 14aH battery, but will be replaced with a smaller 12aH battery (or maybe even smaller). BUT i did want the box to fit up to a 14aH battery just in case. The starter solenoid and main fuse will also go in here. Good thing is i'll also be able to use shorter battery cables (about 9 inches each)

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3664312680_e3bf41cb9c.jpg">
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3663511435_a9184a4e48.jpg">
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3664313528_b950625627.jpg">

 

[slushie07]

Hey, what kind of battery is that? I would like to have something similar to that for my bike.

 

[GoBears0305]

Hey, what kind of battery is that? I would like to have something similar to that for my bike.

Adventure Power Sport 12 Volt Battery (UTX14AHL)

 

[Blake]

How do you like those shortie mufflers? Are they emgo's?