Best Battery Option?

What's the best battery option for my 82 XJ1100? Where should I go to get it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Speaking of batteries, does anyone make a sealed battery that will fit into a 1982 XJ650RJ? I am all done with wet batteries.

TIA, Phil

 

Also, is there a certain spec on the batteries I should be looking at?

What about charging the old one? Would a small 6V battery charger work?

 

If your battery is dead after winter storage it is probably toast. Replace it.

Also, I believe your bike uses a 12V battery, not 6. Don't charge it (at least for very long) on a fast automotive charger. Use a trickle charger/maintainer. You can get one for around $20.

 

Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound like there is much info out there on recommended batteries.

I really just need to know what the specs are on a battery for my bike, if there is a particular brand or type better than others, and where I can source the best prices.

Anyone?

 

You're in luck. You have several nice battery options for your XJ1100. A quick search shows you can go anywhere from a standard capacity (260 cca-app. $45), to a high capacity AGM (350 cca-app. $85), to an Odyssey dry cell (app. $150). At 12 volts and 18 amp hours, you want an AUTOMATIC 12 volt charger, in the range of around 3 amps. (Actually the Odyssey recommends a MIN of 3 amps).
Unfortunately, for my 81 XJ550, the choices were much more limited, between a "standard" capacity traditonal lead acid or a "high capacity" (approx. 20 more CCA) model. I opted for the "high capacity" type, by Power Sport (Autozone) for $34.95. That and a 1.5 amp automatic Schumacher charger ($18 Walmart) (but my battery is only 12 AH).

 

Hey Dispatcher- I just put a new battery in my '82 550 Maxim. I wasen't to thrilled with th 12 ah spec battery so I reaserched the Yuasa web site for alternatives. They have a 14ah battery that the width and depth is nearly the same as the 12ah but about a half inch taller. The top and back of the battery box will need to be removed for it to fit but when the side is put back on the battery is very secure and will not move. the Exide number is 12N14-3A if your interested. Also- the terminals are reversed so longer cables are needed. This would be a good time to upgrade the rather small 10g wire to 4g. My bike fires up after only two or three cranks now and the lights don't dim as much at idle.
Here is the Yuasa link with lots of good battery info Yuasa batteries

 

Sears makes a DieHard Model for both XJ-750 Max and XJ-900 Seca.

The one in my 900 is 4 years old ... and, I both keep it on a tender and run the bike a few times each Winter. I'm not inclined to allow the cams to sit on an opened valve all Winter ... without "Exercise".

The one I got for the Max has more cranking amps ... but, the Max got so dang tuned-up ... what with the ColorTune and all ... that it just needs a flick of the Start button to fire-up.

I love showin'-off how it starts ... buy turning the key on ... holding the start button --In ... and, kickin'-up the side stand and having it fire right up.

The DieHard battery requires being filled with battery acid ... so, every few years I can count on messing-up some good jeans filling-up a new battery.