Author Topic: I can't get my battery out  (Read 6686 times)

Offline dfx

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I can't get my battery out
« on: February 01, 2015, 12:49:33 PM »
Hi folks how did you resolve this problem? The long screws that hold the battery are siezed up. I'd like to get them out without ruining them if possible.
  • Alsace, France
  • K100RT 1986

Offline Scott_

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2015, 02:18:16 PM »
penetrating fluid and walk away for a while.......is my best suggestion, but you probably already knew that.  :dunno
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Offline dfx

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2015, 02:22:51 PM »
Yes I was planning trying again next weekend with a beefier screwdriver. But not feeling very optimistic.
  • Alsace, France
  • K100RT 1986

Offline koapono

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2015, 02:53:57 PM »
make your own penetrating oil: 50/50 mix of acetone and merc/dextron auto trans fluid. this blend works better than any store bought product.
i have mine in a hand-pump squirt bottle so i can mist or solid stream as necessary. apply and let it soak a while.
g'luck
  • prince george, VA (25 miles south of richmond)
  • 1994 K1100LT

Offline pdg

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2015, 03:47:08 PM »
Penetrating fluid of some description (any of the above, or plusgas -- but NOT WD40...)

Do the screw up a touch first until you hear a crack or it moves a little - it's much easier to crack off the corrosion that way. Then don't try to unwind it all at once, come out, then in, then out a bit more, then in, etc... Keep applying the lube.

You may need to hit it. Although if you haven't used impact to free an electrolytically corroded bolt before this might not be the very best thing to practice on.

If it does end bady and the screw snaps use a left hand twist drill slowly with plenty of lube - don't go anywhere near those godawful 'ez-out' things - those that are like a tapered left hand thread screw. Odds on that will snap as well and then it's even more of a ballache job. Oh, and of you have to do that I'd probably say to do it in-situ otherwise the studs will shear off the mounting rubbers and you suddenly have another job and an extended 'parts to buy' list.
1988 K75S

Offline rbm

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2015, 03:48:42 PM »
After the penetrating oil treatment, use a Vicegrip or slip joint pliers on the shank of the screw as well as a Philips screwdriver on the head.  That will allow you to apply more torque.
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Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline drut

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2015, 04:43:03 PM »

"make your own penetrating oil: 50/50 mix of acetone and merc/dextron auto trans fluid. this blend works better than any store bought product.
i have mine in a hand-pump squirt bottle so i can mist or solid stream as necessary. apply and let it soak a while.
g'luck"
As quoted above although my preferred "mix" is an equal mix of dexron 2,acetone & white spirits.Also I find it best to first try to first tighten a seized bolt then work to and fro before tying to fully unscrew/
  • Newcastle upon Tyne UK
  • 1990 K100RS + 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 II + 1971 Aermacchi/HD 350ss
Much older but certainly no wiser!

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2015, 05:58:36 PM »
How about a screw-whacker? Harbor Freight has them pretty cheap (the kind you use with a hammer)
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline K75rt

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2015, 09:31:27 PM »
Same thing happened to me a while ago, I resorted to a vice grip to get them out.  Slow and smooth, they still fought me all the way.  I ordered new ones ($8 I think) and a new tube of copper anti-sieze.

Along that note, I recently happened across these:
http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Battery-Bolts-BMW-K-BAT-Bolt-p/bat-bolt.htm


Seems an Allen head would be superior to a screw - anyone have any experience with them?

Offline kris

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2015, 08:53:43 AM »
Can you get any heat to it? Either paint strip gun or a really fine map gas type torch?
  • In The Hammer!! Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • 1986 K100RT (Heinz) 2004 Kawasaki Concours (Eddy) 2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 (Linda) Previous: 1968 Honda CD175 1973 Kawasaki S2350 1975 Honda CB550K
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Offline Kyle10

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2015, 02:55:02 PM »
make your own penetrating oil: 50/50 mix of acetone and merc/dextron auto trans fluid. this blend works better than any store bought product.
i have mine in a hand-pump squirt bottle so i can mist or solid stream as necessary. apply and let it soak a while.
g'luck


Second that.
Better than Kroil, even.
1985 K100rt
1983 Honda VF750F

98% of all Harleys ever sold are still on the road.
The other 2% made it home.

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2015, 07:36:43 AM »
There are rubber grommets bits under the battery tray so careful with the heat. And acetone isn't good for paint. Just sayin'.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline dfx

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Re: I can't get my battery out
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2015, 09:51:09 AM »
Just for the record, in case anyone else stumbles upon the thread, I got the screws out with a mole grip. Is that a vice grip? I don't know. Anyway, gripped them at the top of the shank hard so less chance of slipping and they came undone easily. I couldn't believe I didn't think of it myself. Thanks.
  • Alsace, France
  • K100RT 1986

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