Battery questions.. smaller/sealed, etc.

I need a new battery for my bobber project and ideally I'd like to go with something sealed & smaller. I think. I did some searching around the forums and google and haven't been able to find the answers I'm looking for.

First - I don't understand why the standard batteries for these motorcycles are not like your standard car battery. Why do I have to buy a battery that I need to fill myself and charge before I can use it? Is it just a matter of cost or is there a reason that these type of batteries work better for motorcycles?

2nd - I got rid of all the gauges & turn signals. I only need something that will push the starter & handle the headlight & tail/brake light. The smaller & less expensive the better. I don't want to have to spend over $100 but, of course, I'd like to spend a lot less.

Any info on what minimum specifications I need to look for or recommendations for specific batteries would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance fellas.

 

I just got an AGM sealed battery for my 81 maxim, it fits fine but it's not smaller - just sealed.

Edit: Just wanted to add that as far as I know there are two types of charging systems, ones built for refillable batteries such as our bikes were built for, and ones built for AGM. You don't put a refillable into an AGM built system because it will overcharge and boil your battery but you CAN put an AGM in a refillable system (our bikes) and it will work fine.

 

all batteries are shipped dry but they fill and charge them at the store before Mr. Jones buys them.
i have a 10 A/H in my 750 and it starts fine.
http://www.batteryspace.com/sealedleadacidbattery12v10ah120whs.aspx
notice the terminals. i changed to spade on mine and soldered them on. check the LxWxH.

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Polock - that one looks like a decent option. Hard to beat the price anyway & I like that it's all black so it won't stick out like a sore thumb. Your bike has all the electric gizmos still on it, right? Just thinking I might even be able to get away with something a little smaller since I'm running less electronics.

Interesting difference in the terminals. That's another thing - who the heck came up with the stupid square nut terminals on these standard batteries. They are such a pain in the keister!

Does anyone know what I need to have for CCA (cold cranking amps)?

 

Found it, from the great Chacal, of course:

all XJ700, XJ750, and XJ900RK models:

Capacity: 14ah
Charging rate: 10 hours @ 1.4A
CCA's: approximately 130

 

I'm thinking something like this:

https://www.denniskirk.com/2001791....lid=CIWXodGMu8cCFZU2aQodZgoNxw&ad=45712965997

but would like to find something similar for about 1/2 the price.

135 CCA & 9ah - I'd like to think this would be enough for my ride(?)

 

When you nail down the size and power, take a look at Batterystuff.com. Reasonable prices, very fast shipping, and they send the agm battery fully charged.

 

Good, fast, cheap. Pick two. Small and powerful would be the new Lithium-Ion batteries, but they're super expensive. AGM are nice, but still around $100.

The thing is that the battery doesn't run the gauges or the lights. The rotor and stator do that. The battery only stores energy to crank the starter, so you really can't get away with less CCA than the original battery had.

You could try doing the math by adding up the amp draw of the starter and coils...

 

Educate yourself a little before you buy. There are always tradeoffs when choosing different battery types.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com