These are nothing but mean machines and maintaining them is not an easy task. In this article, we’ll talk about maintaining the most important part of a motorcycle―its battery.
‘Bikes don’t leak oil, they mark their territory’. Does this epitomize your bike for you? Does your motorcycle give you the sense of power? Does it enhance your identity or rather, has it become your identity? Well, if it does, then I am sure you must be taking good care of your bike. And a bit contrary to the phrase mentioned, you would not let the oil leak from your bike. While talking about a motorcycle, maintenance of the battery is one of the most important things.
First things first, check the fluid levels in each chamber. Fill up chambers that are low on fluid. Make sure you use distilled or deionized water. In dire situations, the battery will need to be charged 100 percent. Otherwise, here are a few things that you will have to keep tabs on.
- Check the electrolyte level in your battery. While topping the battery, wear protective glasses and gloves. Ensure that your doing that in a properly ventilated area and beware of fumes.
- Keep the top of the battery free from grime.
- Take a look at the clamps and cables for damages or loose connections.
- Clean terminals and connectors are a must for the battery to work properly. So check if they are in a good condition.
- Mossing, excessive sedimentation, or sulfation can be disastrous for the battery, so check for that as well.
- Keep the exhaust tube free of kinks and clogs.
- After replacing the caps, test the battery with either a hydrometer or voltmeter.
If at all you are going to store your battery somewhere, make sure that the surface is non-conducive, preferably wood. If the battery is stored on any concrete or metal surface, it will get discharged over a period.
How to Charge a Motorcycle Battery?
To start off, do not ever charge your motorcycle battery by the regular battery charger. Use a battery charger designed for trickle charge instead. The battery can be recharged any time the lights go dim or if the motorcycle has been unused for more than 2 weeks. The first thing you would need to do is to remove the battery from the motorcycle with the help of pliers or a small crescent wrench. Check the connecting cables for any wear and tear.
Do not forget to put on your safety goggles and gloves as the fluid in the battery is extremely toxic and acidic. After you do that, remove the chamber caps and fill it with distilled water. AVOID tap water as the battery can get damaged. Leave the caps off when the charging is on, to give way for the gases; they shouldn’t build up in the battery. For that, check the vent tube for any kind of blockage. Initiate the process with a cool battery and the charger.
The battery’s level of depletion will determine the time it needs to be charged. It will need to be charged either overnight, sometimes even longer. Follow this up by turning off the charger after confirming that the battery is fully charged. Replacing the caps on the fluid chambers, reinstate the battery on the motorcycle. Finally, confirm that the caps and cables are fastened properly in their place.
These were the fundamentals for keeping your motorcycle battery in a fantastic shape.