Installing new battery.

[okmac]

I am about to install a new battery and was wondering if there is any information stored that I should worry about. I would imagine that I would have to re-set the clock.

Thanks

Mac

OOPS, I just realized that it is Friday.

 

[BwanaDik]

Only what the FBI has on you in their files

 

[Wee Willy]

Look on the battery and note which side is the TOP. This is really important and can't be overemphasized...kinda like claymores having a "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" note for the grunts. IF you install this thing upside down, you'll have one hell of a time connecting the leads back on...believe me 'cause I know. In fact, that will probably be your clue that you f****d it up.

Be advised. And I'm glad to be of service.

Cheers,

Wee Willy

 

[Warchild]

OOPS, I just realized that it is Friday.

Very impressive that you would ask such a question on a Friday...

The only significant ass-pain about replacing the battery is getting access to it.... otherwise, it's all straight-forward stuff....

 

[CRMH Eagle]

About 2 years ago I added a post showing a metal dowel nut that I got from Home Depot that fit in the under part of the battery posts that is more secure than the oem nut. It's just snug enough so when the battery is removed it won't fall out and when screwing in the bolt it is easily grabbed. If you are interested let me know I'll find it and post it again.

 

[SacramentoMike]

On the plus side, it takes your mileage right back to zero! Very nice when it's time to sell.

 

[Warchild]

On the plus side, it takes your mileage right back to zero!

??? ASSuming this isn't Dogpile Friday sarcasm... I am reasonably sure this is incorrect.

The trip odometer might indeed reset to zero... but not the bike's permanent odometer.

 

[Constant Mesh]

Use one of these to keep everything powered during the battery changeout.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A23_battery

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Use one of these to keep everything powered during the battery changeout.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A23_battery

There may be some ECM driveability info lost during battery change-out -- without the above?

The ECM/ABS computer will fall back on std. codes and begin adjusting all over again with normal riding.

(AKA -- 'reset')

Should be 'no biggie'...?

 

[Texan]

Important: after removing the old battery, you MUST FIRST install the new battery AND connect both red and black wires to the battery posts before reinstalling the fairing. This is a major time saver.

:yahoo:

 

[okmac]

It's Saturday now so, Thank you folks for the real answers :clapping: And for you Jokers :assassin: .

Mac :lol:

 

[reecebike]

IF YOU DO IT REAL FAST YOU WANT EVEN HAVE TO SET YOUR CLOCK!!

 

[juniorfjr]

You don't even really have to reset the clock. I've had the battery disconected a couple of times and the clock is off 40 minutes. I've learned to just add 40 mimutes, or.... is that subtract?

 

[SacramentoMike]

On the plus side, it takes your mileage right back to zero!

??? ASSuming this isn't Dogpile Friday sarcasm... I am reasonably sure this is incorrect.

The trip odometer might indeed reset to zero... but not the bike's permanent odometer.

Sarcasm it was. A weakness of mine.

 

[Pepperell]

I had the urge to change my battery acouple years ago, but I took a nap and the urge went away...

 

[wfooshee]

I had the urge to change my battery acouple years ago, but I took a nap and the urge went away...

The Friday answer would be: you fell asleep when the vibrator died?

But this is Saturday, so I'll leave it alone.

 

[steel23]

Sorry to be bringing this question up again but I could not add new post. Mine is a 08 FJR. Seldom ride as I have another transport bike. Battery will be almost 2 years old. Previously, after each ride, I could leave it for almost a month or so and it will be able to start without any problem. Just yesterday, I could not even crank it up though I last rode it last Saturday. Does it mean that my battery is gone?

What is the average shelf life our battery if it's seldom ridden? I know there are some who had no problems even after 4years, reading from previous posts. I will be heading for a trip soon, probably about 2k miles. So should I change or should I trust the shelf life of this battery?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

...Just yesterday, I could not even crank it up though I last rode it last Saturday. Does it mean that my battery is gone?

The procedure is to remove and test the battery (step #1 is already done -- you know it's dead...). Properly charge the battery and check that it achieved the correct, full-charge, voltage. Then let it sit for hours, un-hooked, to check that it holds that voltage. Then install it and check for any current draw when just connecting the final, ground, cable to the negative terminal. And finally, check battery voltage while operating the starter (with a fully chatged battery) -- if voltage falls too low when cranking, the battery fails.

What is the average shelf life our battery if it's seldom ridden? ...should I change or should I trust the shelf life of this battery?

The shelf life of 'new style' AGM, maintenance-free, factory-fill batteries (as originally fitted in the FJR) is quite long (months).

If you don't ensure that your battery is, in fact, faulty -- replacing it with another one may just mean you'll have another dead battery later.

You need to know what caused your battery to be dis-charged (bad battery or unknown current draw?).

 

[mr.paul]

...Just yesterday, I could not even crank it up though I last rode it last Saturday. Does it mean that my battery is gone?

The procedure is to remove and test the battery (step #1 is already done -- you know it's dead...). Properly charge the battery and check that it achieved the correct, full-charge, voltage. Then let it sit for hours, un-hooked, to check that it holds that voltage. Then install it and check for any current draw when just connecting the final, ground, cable to the negative terminal. And finally, check battery voltage while operating the starter (with a fully chatged battery) -- if voltage falls too low when cranking, the battery fails.

What is the average shelf life our battery if it's seldom ridden? ...should I change or should I trust the shelf life of this battery?

The shelf life of 'new style' AGM, maintenance-free, factory-fill batteries (as originally fitted in the FJR) is quite long (months).

If you don't ensure that your battery is, in fact, faulty -- replacing it with another one may just mean you'll have another dead battery later.

You need to know what caused your battery to be dis-charged (bad battery or unknown current draw?).

Good advice.

Where I live, the bike will sit for 5-6 months. I have never had a problem in the spring even if I only topped off the charge a couple of times in that time period. If you are losing it all in a week or a month, either your battery is toast or something is drawing too much juice at rest. In the winter, I just keep the trusty Battery Tender percolating and switch it occasionally between the wife's ST1300 and my Feej (off-season). My battery is over 4 years-old and still cranks like new. I imagine my time will come due though.

mr.paul from Minnesota