How To Recondition a Motorcycle Battery

Check and maintain your motorcycle battery every spring.

Motorcycles are a fuel-efficient mode of daily transportation. One of the most important factors of motorcycle ownership is understanding the maintenance. There are many similarities between automobiles and motorcycles; however, motorcycles differ from automobiles in one major way: Motorcycles are often not used during the winter months and are taken out of storage in the spring. Battery service is a big part of motorcycle maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Protective eyewear
• Screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Voltmeter with probes
• Distilled water
• Plastic funnel
• Battery load tester
• Battery hydrometer
• 6/12-volt battery charger/starter

Instructions

1. Clean the battery posts. Wearing safety glasses, remove the battery cables, positive cable first, with a screwdriver. Scrub the battery posts with a wire brush until the posts are bright and shiny. Scrub the terminal ends of the battery cables with the wire brush until all of the film and corrosion has been removed.

2. Check the battery voltage. Place the positive probe from the voltmeter onto the positive battery terminal and the negative probe onto the negative terminal. If the battery reads 12 volts, reconnect the cables and enjoy your motorcycle. If it reads less than 12 volts, continue testing, because there could be a problem with at least one cell.

3. Remove the cell covers. Insert a screwdriver into the slot at the top of each cell cap and turn counterclockwise to remove it, taking care to not spill any of the liquid. Inspect the cell for fluid. The fluid should cover the plates in each cell by 1/8 inch. Fill any low cells with distilled water.

4. Test the cells. Place the positive probe from the voltmeter onto the positive battery post and the negative probe in the first cell. If the cell does not read two or more volts on the meter, there is a problem with that cell. Move to the next cell. Place the positive probe into the first cell and the negative probe into the second cell. Take the reading. Move to the next cell. Place the positive probe into the second cell and the negative probe into the third cell, and take the reading. Repeat this procedure, testing all cells and noting their reading.

5. Perform a load test. Connect a load tester to the positive battery terminal and then to the negative post. This will prevent sparks. Switch the load tester on and check to see that the load does not drop below 12 volts. If it does, it cannot be reconditioned and you will need to replace the battery. If it reads 12 volts, continue on.

6. Perform a hydrometer test. Squeeze the bulb of the hydrometer a few times after inserting the rubber tube into a battery cell. This will mix the fluid up and give a more accurate reading. Squeeze the bulb and release while the tube is in the cell. This will cause the battery fluid to be sucked into the tester. Note which color the fluid rises to. Green indicates a good battery, white means the battery is fair, and red means the battery needs a charge.

7. Charge the battery if needed. Replace the cell caps and place the battery on a charger for at least 24 hours. Replace the battery and reconnect the cables.

Tips & Warnings

• When not in use, place a trickle charging battery tender on your motorcycle battery. This will maintain the battery and keep it at a full charge.

• Never attempt to service your battery while it is connected to your motorcycle. It could cause shorts and harm your wiring components.

References

• Bob Vila: Service a Car Battery