what is the clear tube coming out of my battery

[cultclassic]

hey guys

so im new to bikes of this age (1978 cb500t) and this is my first project , My bike has just come back from being rewired and i noticed today a little clear tube (20/30 cm long) coming out of my battery, my question is what is it? and is it meant to be attached to anything??

Thanks

 

[Tim]

It's an overflow drain just in case the acidic water in the battery decides it needs to make a run for the border.

When you replace your battery, chances are you'll buy an 'AGM' type which is sealed and doesn't have this issue. Or perhaps a new fangled Lithium Iron battery which is super lightweight and tiny.

The tube just keeps the water from getting on anything important (like the battery housing). Route it down with the hoses that likely come off your carb bowls, which serve the same purpose - routing excess fuel that might flood the bowls down and away from hot engine parts.