Author Topic: Battery Cable questions!!! (Read 6028 times)

03rangerxlt · « **on:** July 01, 2012, 01:47:25 PM »

I have relocated my battery tray up to just behind the seat, and I am in the process of lengthening the cables to put power to the bike. Where in the hell do I get battery cable for this thing!?! I looked at the Autozone website, and it apears I can only buy cable form them by 25ft lengths??? Also, I need 4 gauge cable, right? Any other tips?
(1972 CB500)

Bodi · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2012, 03:19:43 PM »

A high end car stereo store will have flexible cable and the crimp-on terminals for you, if you have a length measured they will crimp the connectors on. This is the best approach, the terminals should be crimped with the right tool. #6 would be OK but #4 is nice.

luap · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2012, 06:07:03 PM »

go to home depot or ace hardware can buy it buy the foot there dont forget the cupling an terminal while your there

70CB750 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2012, 09:50:45 AM »

Or welding cable from TSC.

Bodi · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2012, 11:24:30 AM »

The home depot stores here only have house wire, super stiff and prone to work hardening and breakage in a vibrating environment like a motorcycle. You should use flexible wire. This can be hard to find - flexible welding cable or car stereo high amperage "superflex" primary wire is what I would use.

scottly · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2012, 11:42:50 AM »

Quote from: 03rangerxlt on July 01, 2012, 01:47:25 PM

Also, I need 4 gauge cable, right? Any other tips?
(1972 CB500)

Are you keeping the electric starter? If not, you can use smaller wire.

KeithB · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2012, 03:13:04 PM »

4 gauge wire!?!

I think you guys are mixing up your cable sizes.
The cable on my CB750 sure isn't #4. My St1100 doesn't use #4 cable.
I have used #12 jumper cables to start my bikes. Not a perfect solution but you get my point.

A #8 would be more like what is required for these bikes. (make sure it's stranded, as stated above)

You can use #4 but it would be like using garden hose for the fuel line to the carbs.
Works, but oversized for the application.

Just my $.02

bjbuchanan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2012, 06:57:34 PM »

Go to Autozone and go where the battery chargers and jumper cables, all that crap. There will be premade, pre-packaged battery cables all in different sizes(guage, length, end terminals)

You should find stuff that will work just fine.
And be nice when they try to push the 1.29 dielectric grease packet on you

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:31:12 PM »

Don't buy auto cables for your bike! I highly doubt they have the correct length. A PO did this on one of my bikes and it looked rigged. The proper cable is not expensive.

scottly · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2012, 07:39:19 PM »

Quote from: KeithB on July 02, 2012, 03:13:04 PM

My St1100 doesn't use #4 cable.

How many amps does an St1100 starter draw? Is it a permanent magnet, gear reduction starter? The old Honda starters are current hogs. The further the battery is located from the starter, the bigger the wire needs to be.

JimJamerino · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2012, 09:09:27 PM »

I went to a local battery shop and had a set custom made. I went in with the length I needed and a piece of the old cable, and the guy made them for me in less than 15 minutes. Crimped, heat-shrinked, and color coded for less than $20.

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2012, 09:22:51 PM »

Perfect

aperry · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2012, 09:47:05 AM »

I did this a few months ago. Or, more accurately, I "tried" to do this. Following advice from this forum, I also purchased larger gauge cable, since I was increasing the length (going to location under seat cowl). The ground cable was easy enough. The cable from the starter motor to the solenoid was a disaster.

I can't comment on the CB500, but my CB750's starter motor cable was non-replaceable. The starter motor had a funky looking (to me, anyway) terminal where the cable was soldered. I managed to unsolder it, but could not find a way to solder in the new cable, and eventually I pretty much ruined the starter motor after various failed attempts.

Anyway, it maybe worth taking a closer look at how your cable attaches to the starter. At some point I plan to get another starter motor, and this time I'll relocate the solenoid so that the stock starter cable will reach it. Then I'll make a custom cable between solenoid and battery, which looks much more straight forward. For now it's a kickstart bike

Hope this helps!
Aaron

fiolola · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2012, 08:18:08 PM »

Little expensive but worth every penny. West Marine #6

03rangerxlt · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2012, 12:58:47 AM »

I bought 3 ft of #6 today. Hopefully that will work. I'm going to have to lengthen the cable that already comes off the starter with it. I bought some heat shrink tube to keep it clean.

KeithB · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2012, 11:27:50 AM »

Quote

The old Honda starters are current hogs.

Maybe so but still ... #4 !
It certainly isn't #4 on my stock '72 CB750.

TwoTired · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2012, 11:51:38 AM »

Found this chart...
I believe it is for continuous duty, in standard ambient temp. with normal convection cooling.

Don R · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:48:45 PM »

I used #6 from car quest. they have red and black. My store sells it by the foot. I like the cable ends from Lowes electrical section on the battery end, I found the large ring connector for the ground end at an electric supply house. I used a copper (non plated) end for the solenoid.

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2012, 02:49:53 PM »

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Author Topic: Battery Cable questions!!! (Read 6028 times)