Smaller battery

plesko

plesko

New Member
I've seen some other threads about batteries and sizes but haven't seen anything super definitive... Do y'all run smaller than spec batteries? What are the tradeoffs? I've got a 74 CB550 that I want to relocate the battery to a custom box on the swing arm but I need to figure out a battery first
 
First, the easiest way to run a smaller battery that still meets the needs of your bike is to go lithium - Shorai, Ballistic etc.

Second, do some reading about running your battery right on the swingarm. Many people suggest the physical shocks inherent in doing that will destroy the battery in short order. I'm in the same dilemma at the moment, replacing a small Shorai battery under my seat (kick only XS650) to a larger Ballistic 410cca battery to meet the e-start needs of my 750cc high compression motor (kicking it over isn't worth my time).

I considered mounting it under the swingarm, but am concerned about the beating it will take. So I'm looking to hang it from the frame, but potentially still just below the swingarm.
 
Yeah - Good info - Thanks for the reply.

The swingarm/frame mounting is still under consideration depending on the size and how I think I can hide it best. I'm keeping a longer seat (for two riders) so a cowl isn't going to happen. I might still be able to get it under there depending on the depth of the battery. I definitely don't want to kick start only - that sounds like it would get old pretty quickly.

If I can find some pics of battery relocation I'll post them here so maybe we'll have a running inspiration thread.
 
I'm considering the Shorai LFX14A2-BS12. It's kinda pricy but at 4.45"w x 2.28"d x 3.5"h and 210 CCA it looks like a good, small replacement for the stock battery. I'm not really sure what all the other numbers mean, but I'm hoping the only other really important number is 12v :) I'll still try and find pictures for anyone looking at a relocation.
 
Is there some kind of calculation you can do to work out how small you can go in terms of power and size?
 
Manufacturers usually go with Max Alternator Output / Voltage.
For the CB360 that's 110 (Watts) / 12V = About 9Ah

I'm told that it OK to cut about 25% from that and so I have a 7Ah battery in mine. If you go smaller the obsolete charging system may cook your battery as the original design on these machines used the battery to help absorb additional wattage coming from the alternator.
 
Found some good ref images for swingarm mounting :eek:
blog4.jpg

blog3.jpg

blog2-1.jpg

blog1-1.jpg

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Im still not 100% sure how they did it but it's certainly shed a lot of light on it!

Notice the loom or part of it at least has gone through the frame down towards the swingarm...clever. Handy on the CB750 DOHC as the bottom section of the frame unbolts for access...sill not an easy task though eh!
blog2-3.jpg
 
I just bought a Shorai LFX14A2-BS12 battery the same as the one you were thinking of. I also have a 74 CB550 and was looking at getting the LFX12A1 battery which was still 12volts but only 155CCA compared to 210CCA of the LFX14A2, plus it was actually smaller so it was a win-win...check out batterystuff.com
 
Those are great pics - see the box is not mounted to the swingarm - it's mounted on those bent flat bars which are bolted to the engine mounts or somewhere on the frame of the bike. So it's not attached to the swinger.

That's important as when it's mounted to the swingarm, it has no suspension and is taking the full brunt of the shock of hitting potholes, curbs, bumps in the road and just general vibration which will in theory destroy it pretty quickly.

Maybe some battery technologies are more durable than others for this, but you're better off doing it that way and mounting to the frame, not the swingarm. That's the design I was contemplating for my battery, but it might be too big for that.
 
BTW - post up the link to the blog with those pics - only fair if we're going to post them up here.
 
Here you go chaps, they are based in spain. I really like the look and style of their bikes, similar to wrenchmonkeys admittedly but i actually think they do a more unique job in places. These are the guys that inspired me to buy my 750.

http://www.crdmotorcycles.com/
 
I run a 8 cell Anti Gravity battery on my 75' CB550. It is mounted laying down under the tank. Roc City made the alloy tank for me just for that purpose. I was going to use the 4 cell battery, which is the size of an iPhone, but the manufacturer Was a little iffy about the application.
 
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