Battery 12v showing 144amp but not holding charge. K100, 1986.

[ste_barrett]

1986 K100


Hi all, my K100 has been stood since Christmas. Not surprisingly she needed a good charge up before starting to ride again. My problem is the battery. It charges up OK and is good for a few starts but then goes flat. I put it on charge again and took it to Halfords. It read 12v and 144amps. The battery was new in Aug 2014 so almost 3 years old. What would you do next? New battery or something wrong with the bike not charging it up? If new battery, any recommendations?


Thanks

[Blue]

Slow drain for months will suck it dry.  Will show voltage while being completely discharged.  Will take a charge from a charger and start, but the alternator can not overcome the damage from a complete discharge and will be unreliable.

You need a new battery and keep it on a battery tender if it is not to be started for more than 2 weeks.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

+1.   Sitting for a couple months after a slow discharge is a death sentence for a battery.

You need a new one.

[ste_barrett]

Thanks both - any recommendations on brand etc.? I'm trying to teach myself how to look after a bike and I'm not really sure what difference the battery makes other than starting it and keeping the lights on - what else does it do? Is it worth investing in a higher cost one? What are the benefits of not getting the cheapest?
Thanks again
S

[The Mighty Gryphon]

My only advice is to get an AGM(absorbed glass mat) battery.  They are maintenance free and don't spill acid when upended.

While many swear by the Odyssey brand, I have had good luck with Chinese batteries of the Scorpian brand.  IMHO it is more important to keep it fully charged with a good trickle charger/maintainer than to spend a lot of money.   

[bizzaro]

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/westco12v20p.html


I got this one two years ago and have no complaints. Still strong so far, and I don't have a tender. I remove my battery and store it inside, and trickle charge it a few times in the offseason. Great new price!  :2thumbup: I paid the old price. Call to be sure it will fit for your bike. I have a 94K1100LT.

You probably want this one? http://www.beemerboneyard.com/westco12v30.html

[Laitch]

This year I rode my bike into the shop in November. I disconnected the battery ground cable from the transmission. The coldest the shop was this winter was -5ºF, maybe. In April, I reconnected the battery. The bike started with no problem. Usually I disconnect the battery and store it in the house where it gets charged once every two months or so. I did something different last winter. I guess I was striving to be less robot and didn't even realize it.

This battery has been in the bike since I bought it five years ago.

[Martin]

I've had a good run with Deka AGM one 8 years the next one 5 years.The current non Deka ( Battery shop didn't have one) going on for 6 years.
Regards Martin.

[K1300S]

My only advice is to get an AGM(absorbed glass mat) battery.  They are maintenance free and don't spill acid when upended.
 

agree!
i have an Odessy PC680 in one k75s and a Batterymart Big Crank etx16L in the other one.  both work great, but the batterymart version is  cheaper...

the ETX16L is the right one for the bike. terminals on the correct sides.

http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX16L-Battery.html?gclid=CMSXpb-sudQCFRqHswodjXwOEw

i also have a Braille AGM in my vintage car.  same size as for a k bike.  it has been in there for 5 years.  still starts the high compression engine no sweat.

[stokester]

My only advice is to get an AGM(absorbed glass mat) battery.  They are maintenance free and don't spill acid when upended.

While many swear by the Odyssey brand, I have had good luck with Chinese batteries of the Scorpian brand.  IMHO it is more important to keep it fully charged with a good trickle charger/maintainer than to spend a lot of money.

Count me in those who swear by Odyssey.  I've got one in my brick and in one of my airheads, both going strong 5+ years.

[ste_barrett]

Belated thanks all! :2thumbup:

[bizzaro]

And the verdict is..................????????????????????? :dunno2: :dunno2: