How to Maintain a Motorcycle Battery

Motorcycle batteries store electricity through a chemical process. Lead plates inside the battery case are immersed in either a liquid or a gel electrolyte solution. The solution reacts with the plates to store and release direct current (DC) electricity. Low electrolyte levels in the battery can lead to reduced battery capacity and output. Plates in persistently undercharged batteries may develop a hardened layer on them that resists going into solution when charged. Known as taking a set, the battery will show a good voltage, but will deliver low amperage and low voltage as the battery is placed under a load.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Dust mask
• 10 mm wrenches (2)
• Wire brush
• Distilled water
• Smart charger (battery tender)

Instructions

1. Put on safety goggles and a dust mask. Remove the 10 mm battery bolt with the wrench. Disconnect the negative battery cable first then disconnect the positive cable. Clean the wire and battery terminals with the wire brush, removing any corrosion and sulfation.

2. Remove the caps on the battery cells. Inspect the fluid level in each cell. Top off any low cells with distilled water. Re-install the caps on all cells and manually tighten them down firmly. This step will not be necessary for sealed or gel batteries.

3. Reconnect the battery's positive cable and bolt, then reconnect the battery's negative cable and bolt. Tighten both of them down firmly with the wrenches.

4. Connect a battery tender to the battery. Connect the positive clip first, negative clip second. Plug the unit into a 110V receptacle. Leave the battery tender on whenever the bike is parked to maintain a full and complete charge.

Tips & Warnings

• The battery tender will read the battery voltage and deliver a stepped-phase charge to it. It will automatically switch between a low-voltage/high amperage charge to a high voltage/low amperage charge to achieve deep charge penetration of the plates. The motorcycle's alternator/regulator is incapable of delivering a custom charge and will persistently undercharge the battery, leading to set plates and low output.

• Wear goggles and a mask when dealing with batteries. Sulfates are harmful if inhaled or allowed to contact the eyes. The sulfates become airborne during the wire brush procedure and must be protected against. The battery caps may spray electrolyte if a vent obstruction is allowing pressure to build up in the battery case. Electrolyte can cause serious injury to eyes and other membrane surfaces.