Hitchcocks Forum

My bike is generally used once a week. 350 clasic kick start. I seem to be buying a battery for it every second year at least, and wonder if there is a cost effective alternative to the lead acid one? I tried the capacitor route, but found that the lights flicker badly when at tickover and it is prone to stalling at tick over if extra load imposed, eg brake light..... not ideal if you are at a junction at night! I have wondered about dry cell rechargables, or maybe burglar alarm battery, but should I just accept that I pop a (only around £25) replacement standard battery on as required?
Charging at around 14v at 1500 revs, but does need water often...... could there be a way of reducing charge that may help longevity?

A new battery every 2 years does seem a bit excessive, although that said the original one on my bike only lasted 18 months.It's replacement however is still ok after 5 years. Frequent top ups may indicate over charging which would shorten it's life and it may be worth checking out the regulator/ rectifier unit. Gel batteries have their advantages and disadvantages one of which is their tendency to die suddenly, without warning, although that is how my original lead/acid one went anyway.

Buy an optimate. Mate. Best thing since sliced bread.
Only bought 2 batterys for my two bikes in 20 years just kept swapping from bike to bike.
Regards Bri e

Thanks to both posters, I'll get the charging system checked before fitting another new battery. Bri,do you keep the optimate conected whenever bike is at home?

If it's an early 90's Bullet or older with the old switched rate 6v alternator with a rectifier but no voltage regulator then I'm not surprised it is chewing through batteries. The system is pretty crude switching coils in and out depending on what position the light switch is in. I would suggest a worthwhile improvement is to replace the old rectifier with a nice modern solid state regulator/rectifier. This will mean the battery only gets the charge it requires rather than being boiled with excessive charge most of the time. You can also use this opportunity to convert the bike to twelve volts as all that you need is a 12 volt battery and a whole lot of new bulbs. If you are a funny old curmudgeon like me Pazon have a 6v Reg/Rec for sale.

Thanks Simon, it's a 2001 350 classic UK spec, so I presume has the later electrics.

14V at 1500,rpm.What is it at 3,000 rpm or more?

Yes p. One or other of my bikes are always conected to the optimate. I just keep swapping it over from time to time. Its easy as each bike has a fly lead fitted so its a straight plug in job!I only need to keep checking the electrolyte level.
Regards Bri e

I Use "Fire alarm 12V" Type Batteries (RS) for My KS Bullets, They Are sealed And Cheap & come in Many size's.
My 2nd Hand 12V 2.5 Amp worked For years on the Bike, its Kept in the shed & Holds it charge for Back up "And has Never Been Charger charged" The New (2 years ago) 12V 5amp RS Battery (£12) Holds its Charge and I only use The Bike about Once a Month for a week (at the Moment) then Leave her (out side) till Next month and She starts 1st 2nd Kick ..Again the Battery is only bike charged & is Ok...My Other bike Which has been Re Built/Repaired since a RTA in Nov & two Tests start since, Started 1st Kick this week after a 3 Month Lay up....." BUT..I allway Disconnect My Batteries If Leaving it for more than A Day or two"..IS They some Thing On Your Bike Drawing Power While switched Off?? (Both My RE, are Home Mkt Models Std & Machismo)...Hope this helps cheers..Craig

hi P,MY 2004 BULLET WHICH IS AN INDIAN MARKET JOBBY ON A 2006 PLATE had 3 year ago when i bought it a completely discharged battery i put my cheapjack trickle charger on it and it came back from the dead my bike was also a 350 at that point ,at the moment in its diesel Hitchcocks Rigid form it is still on the same battery i would suggest that if you are filling the cells up with distilled water regular that your charging system may be frying your battery if you have the 2 dodgy rectifier regulators that are linked that you try a nice powerbox or the like ,i would also look at what the alternator is throwing out just out of interest but in my experience if its the 4 wire job overgenerating is not usual ,just my thoughts may they trouble you not atb paul.