The old motorcycles use old conventional lead batteries. This is why you must not put maintenance free batteries on them. The generator of the motorcycle and also the regulator are not made to sustain that type of battery and you can break it.
So, before you decide to change the battery on your old motorcycle, check the voltage, the capacity, the dimensions and the right position. Plus, you need to check the positive and the negative terminals too. Besides the conventional lead batteries, you must also verify the venting point.
It should be easy to see the type of the battery because the upper right corners have colored codes.
You should also know that when you buy a battery, no matter what type of battery it is, it comes about 70% dry charged. After filling it with the right battery acid it is best to fully charge it before the installation takes place. The installation steps are in the General Maintenance guide or you can find them online.
Make sure to clean all the ends of the wired with a wire brush before you place them to the battery terminals.
When you plan not to use the motorcycle for a long period, longer than 2 or 3 months, make sure to fully charge the battery and then take out the earth cable (the negative terminal). In this way you can store the motorcycle it for winter.
Installing Conventional Lead /Acid Battery
1. Put the lead battery on a solid, flat base and then take out the red ventilation plug at the side.
2. Then you need to take away the lid of each cell and then put acid to each cell up to the Max level. A dispenser bottle will be most helpful in this procedure. Leave the battery without the cell lids up to an hour and then refill it if the acid level dropped below the Max level.
3. With a 70% energy level you can do a start test.
4. Clean the positive and negative wire ends with the wire brush and then you can attach them to the battery.
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