Brenner Posted February 20, 2015 #1 Posted February 20, 2015 Many of you who have read my earlier posts know that I am resurrecting an 85 Royale and upgrading many of its components. I have replaced the stator with the newer upgraded part number, suspension to progressive, brakes all round to R1, final drive to v-max, heavier gage battery cables, and transmission and starter to second gen. I am at the stage where I am considering batteries. I my last rebuild (a 1984 Virago) I upgraded the starter from 160 cca to 420 cca as that model is known for starter issues. I did my home work and learned the physical size limitations and found a Harley battery to fit the battery box with the extra cranking amps I desired to get that quick spin that model needed and it worked great. I would like input on what model or size battery many of you are using so I might be able to make an informed decision on my battery choice. I currently have a 420 cca battery in the battery box and it fits well but in my opinion this bike has a different charging system and different needs than a long stroke v-twin. I do understand if I choose to go AGM I will need to install the resistor for the CMU and I have seen skydocs Deka battery option but I would like to know why the choices are made. For example, only one that was found to fit, or most members use this model, or known to be reliable, etc... Thank you in advance for any and all they may reply.
dna9656 Posted February 20, 2015 #2 Posted February 20, 2015 What ever the stock size is and it's conventional. I got a 84....VR.
Skid Posted February 20, 2015 #3 Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) There is only one battery in my vehicles. Interstate battery make a exact replacement with the probe and everything to fit the first gens. I get four to five years on the motorcycle batteries. Edited February 20, 2015 by Skid
Flyinfool Posted February 20, 2015 #4 Posted February 20, 2015 Having put in the heavier starter cables does help the hot starting. If you should happen to get into the area of the starter, putting in the ground mods helps hot cranking a lot too, or replacing the starter with a 4 brush starter is the best option. The AGM batteries in the stock size all are an improvement in hot cranking. I don't know if brand really matters much. There are many of the flodded batteries that also do not have the hole for the probe and need the resistor mod.
dna9656 Posted February 20, 2015 #5 Posted February 20, 2015 Got a Interstate Part Number for that battery? When I shopped for my battery NOBODY had the probe, not even Interstate, (or they didn't want to sell a battery) or they wanted $50.00 for the probe! Yeah I would love to have a part number from their catalog!
Brenner Posted February 20, 2015 Author #6 Posted February 20, 2015 Flyinfool, I mentioned that I already did the starter upgrade in my original post as was recommended to me in my earlier postings. Just out of curiosity do many riders perform a ground mod to the 4 brush starters? I didn't think there was a need for that. As far as heavier battery cables, why not? I was rebuilding and am hoping I will not have to touch this bike again for any thing aside from normal maintenance thus all the upgrades being done prior to my first ride. Only upgrade I believe I have not done is the delinking and still am on the fence as some say good some say no good so I will ride it linked and see how I feel. dna9656, I looked into the interstate battery listings and come up with S150-N18L-AT as the battery with the probe. Now when I look up other similar models I find the 150-N18L-A without the probe but is the same battery for roughly $20 less so I am thinking if I go with the interstate battery I will use the probe I already have and with my licensed tech discount (I get the same deal as shop cost) I will not be paying all that much. I still want to see what others have to say as I am seriously considering all options. Interstate has two other batteries listed for our bikes but both are AGM (350cca) the same idea as the Harley battery (420cca) I mentioned earlier.
dna9656 Posted February 20, 2015 #7 Posted February 20, 2015 I called everybody I could think of in town, I asked my other riding buddies, no one knew anything about a battery with a sensor in it, it may have been Interstate or Auto Zone that had one and they wanted another $50.00 for the battery with the sensor, well after joining this site and learning what was in that "sensor" I went to radio shack and got the resistor ($2.?? for 4 of them) and made my own. Interestingly enough all the batteries I saw for our bike had the hole for the sensor but they wanted another $50.00 for it. Screw that. BTW Auto Zone batteries warranted for 3 months... the one in my Road Star went bad 3 months and 5 days after purchase, I got a new one from them gratis and it is still just fine...Next battery is going to be a AGM or Lithium. I want to do that generator mod too but that's down the road, I got other chicken to fry...carbs, progressive springs...lighting.... Flyinfool, I mentioned that I already did the starter upgrade in my original post as was recommended to me in my earlier postings. Just out of curiosity do many riders perform a ground mod to the 4 brush starters? I didn't think there was a need for that. As far as heavier battery cables, why not? I was rebuilding and am hoping I will not have to touch this bike again for any thing aside from normal maintenance thus all the upgrades being done prior to my first ride. Only upgrade I believe I have not done is the delinking and still am on the fence as some say good some say no good so I will ride it linked and see how I feel. dna9656, I looked into the interstate battery listings and come up with S150-N18L-AT as the battery with the probe. Now when I look up other similar models I find the 150-N18L-A without the probe but is the same battery for roughly $20 less so I am thinking if I go with the interstate battery I will use the probe I already have and with my licensed tech discount (I get the same deal as shop cost) I will not be paying all that much. I still want to see what others have to say as I am seriously considering all options. Interstate has two other batteries listed for our bikes but both are AGM (350cca) the same idea as the Harley battery (420cca) I mentioned earlier.
van avery Posted February 20, 2015 #8 Posted February 20, 2015 Deka ETX-18L purchased from YTX18L-BS Battery Worked very well for several years now and delivered in just a couple days to the door charged and ready to install. I installed the resistor in the probe line and everything works great. Bike always turned over slowly but started then installed 4 brush starter, Man what a defference. Highly recommend this upgrade better than upgrading the cables.
bongobobny Posted February 21, 2015 #9 Posted February 21, 2015 My Odesey has been in the bike since 2007 and still good, but since then their price has doubled. Go with the DEKA...
Squidley Posted February 21, 2015 #10 Posted February 21, 2015 I use the Deka's and love them. I know Skid uses the Interstate, and others as well, but I have not had a lot of luck with Interstates in general. The Deka's seem to have the best CCA's they are right at about $100.
Venturous Randy Posted February 21, 2015 #11 Posted February 21, 2015 Ditto to Squidley, with the larger cables, four brush starter and DEKA battery, starting the bike, no matter how hot or cold it is, is no thought at all. Years ago when I got caught in heavy traffic when it was hot, if I stalled the bike, I was going to be pushing it to the side of the road to cool off some. Now, not a thought about that. Randy
Ozlander Posted February 22, 2015 #12 Posted February 22, 2015 I buy by batteries at Walmart, Drill a 3/8" hole in the middle and rtv the probe in.
Brenner Posted February 23, 2015 Author #13 Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks guys, a lot for me to mull over. I will make my decision within a month. If any one else has info to contribute I am still all ears.
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