Author Topic: What's the best battery for a Cb550?  (Read 14938 times)

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Offline Ezile

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What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« on: June 07, 2016, 06:38:33 AM »
My introduction post has never been approved so I'll just start posting and maybe I can get an introduction post eventually.  I've been reading the forums though for about 6-8 months as I was planning to buy my CB550 for about a year now!

I bought a 1977 Cb550 a few months ago.  It's the first bike I have ever owned.  I just got my M License (after taking the MSF Safety Course) a few weeks ago and I've been loving the bike thus far.

The battery that is in it is a cheap battery so I want to replace it with something better.  The battery also isn't reaching much above 11.5V even after spending days on a trickle charger.  Not surprisingly I've had a few issues getting it started if I ride a short distance with the headlights on.  Luckily, my bike has a kickstarter and I recently learned how to push start a bike in the Chicago burbs at rush hour (I don't recommend this to those who have been wanting to try it out...)

Anyways - This is the battery I was planning on purchasing.  I am very new to motorcycles so I want to make sure I'm not wasting my money on a bad type of battery.  What do you guys recommend?

http://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket-parts/motorcycle-electrical-parts/batteries/bikemaster-lithium-ion-battery-dlfp-12a-a?m=9232

Offline Deltarider

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2016, 08:06:25 AM »
Ah my favourite question, as I have to buy one pretty soon myself. When I look at the terminals of the one in the link, it is not for me.
I myself would be interested in the socalled no maintenance. Why? Well the best batteries I ever bought, were no maintenance marine batteries (resp 105Ah and 102Ah). They are incredibly good. I had to write them of for safety reasons. At sea you can't risk it, although I could handstart the V twin Farymann diesel with a handle. BTW, the two first two cars I owned, the Renault 4 and the glorious Citroën 2CV could be started the same way if necessary. Both VMF batteries (I believe an American brand), now 11 and 12 years old and still showing 12,6 Volts are in the garage where all the other 20 car owners can use them, whenever they have left their interior lights on. I've looked if VMF also makes bikebateries but I haven't found them. I have no interest in other sophisticated batteries that can get damaged when they receive 15V or need special chargers. Although reduction of weight is always welcome, I'm not prepared to pay more when you get less. Regularly exercise and sport, no visits to McDonalds is all what it takes. I don't need extra cranking power. If a conventional battery doesn't start your CB in either two attemps or 7 seconds (which ever comes last) you can start looking for the problem because there is one. I want the oldstyle terminals that can cope with my transistor ignition module. So I'm afraid it's going to be the old Yuasa again. They have always served me 6 years minimal and only the last year need to have some water every now and then. The longest I ever did with a conventional Yuasa was 7 years, be it that the last year it was the kickstarter only. But hey, there's that weight reducing exercise again! They're relatively cheap so if you do something stupid, it's no big loss. Most important reason: the other day I bought a litre of demineralised water for batteries that costed me a dear 45 cents. Yeah, I know but what made me risk it, is that on the bottle it says you can also use it in ironers!
« Last Edit: June 07, 2016, 08:46:11 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline flybox1

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2016, 08:13:47 AM »
Ive had this Scorpion battery on my CB750 for 2 years now.  No issues.
https://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYT12C.html
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline flatlander

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2016, 08:16:07 AM »

Offline Chachi

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2016, 08:33:37 AM »
Another vote for the Scorpion AGM purchased from batterystuff. Shows up quick, charged and ready to go.
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Offline jmelche2

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2016, 08:41:09 AM »
Motobatt

Offline Deltarider

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2016, 08:49:04 AM »
The terminals of that Scorpion look OK. Are they firm?
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Offline flybox1

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2016, 11:34:55 AM »
The terminals of that Scorpion look OK. Are they firm?
Yes, Delta.  Solid.  Immovable.

'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2016, 01:19:52 PM »
That black Scorpion I like best so far. Don't know if they are sold here. Against: made in China. Don't know if it will last and how long.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2016, 01:24:56 PM by Deltarider »
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Offline flybox1

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2016, 02:16:58 PM »
That black Scorpion I like best so far. Don't know if they are sold here. Against: made in China. Don't know if it will last and how long.
2 years so far with this one.  I only have it on the tender during the winter months. 
My charging is system functional (14.3v @ 4000rpm+), and I've never have seen less than 12.7v
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

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Offline przjohn

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2016, 03:14:50 PM »
I'm a big fan of Lithium batteries like the one you are looking at, BUT... The Lithiums are sensitive to charging and the systems on these old bikes should be upgraded if running a Lithium. If you feel comfortable installing a modern rectifier/regulator,  you will have no problems. But, you say this is your first bike though and I'm sure you just want to get out and ride so my advise would be to go with one of the AGM batteries the guys have just described and have some fun.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2016, 03:23:59 PM »
If you are retaining the stock battery box then I don't see any advantage to the extra cost of the lithium vs conventional AGM.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2016, 03:57:13 PM »
Another vote for the Scorpion AGM purchased from batterystuff.

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Offline OT7

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2016, 07:04:29 AM »
AGM only way to go.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2016, 08:10:32 AM »
subscribed
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Offline alacrity

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #15 on: June 08, 2016, 12:24:54 PM »
I love the Shorai I put in ... It is so strong, it spins the engine so fast that it feels like my Bike seems like it is running before I can get my finger off the starter
I recently restored and sold a 77 cb750f, and am nearly finished with a (former basket case) cb750k5.  This is a place to share, learn and enjoy.  I am grateful to and for 99+% of this site's membership.

Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #16 on: June 09, 2016, 08:15:52 AM »
My deltran has been going for 2 years strong.
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Offline Sano

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #17 on: May 18, 2020, 07:57:11 PM »
Bought a Scorpion AGM battery, always kept on a battery tender and it lasted less than a year.

Offline scottly

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #18 on: May 18, 2020, 08:02:47 PM »
Bought a Scorpion AGM battery, always kept on a battery tender and it lasted less than a year.
Probably because you always kept it on a "battery tender". ;)
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Offline cb550papi

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #19 on: May 19, 2020, 09:23:08 AM »
Maybe someone can help with this.  I just bought a Motobatt MB12U and I measured 12.1V with a multimeter.  I threw it on the battery tender and a few hours later the tender says it's charged and then measure 12.3V.  I left it on all night and never got a read above 12.31V.  Am I correct in thinking this is a bad battery and should read no less than 12.7V when brand new and fully charged?  I paid $82 on amazon and am wishing I just paid more and went to a more reputable source.   Anything I am missing here?  This is the second time trying this exact battery.  The other one lasted 3 years and was decently abused and barely put on the tender when not using for a while so I think that's a fair lifespan.  They only have a 1 year warranty...
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Offline scottly

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #20 on: May 19, 2020, 09:41:21 AM »
Papi, there is a difference between a "battery tender" and a "battery charger". A proper charger will bring the battery voltage up over 14V, while a tender only puts out a lower voltage.
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #21 on: May 19, 2020, 10:17:40 AM »
Papi, there is a difference between a "battery tender" and a "battery charger". A proper charger will bring the battery voltage up over 14V, while a tender only puts out a lower voltage.

 a 'float charger' ?
« Last Edit: May 19, 2020, 10:21:30 AM by grcamna2 »
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  I love the small ones too !
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Offline cb550papi

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #22 on: May 19, 2020, 10:45:21 AM »
This is the one I use.  This won't fully charge the battery?  I guess I can throw it in the bike and go for a long high revving ride and then see where it is.  I have had no issues with my charging system since doing a Rick's Reg/Rec so it should get it up to 12.7V correct?

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-022-0185G-dl-wh-Charger-Maintainer/dp/B00DJ5KEEA/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=deltran+1.25&qid=1589909120&sr=8-5
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Offline scottly

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #23 on: May 19, 2020, 05:42:11 PM »
This is the one I use.  This won't fully charge the battery?  I guess I can throw it in the bike and go for a long high revving ride and then see where it is.  I have had no issues with my charging system since doing a Rick's Reg/Rec so it should get it up to 12.7V correct?

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-022-0185G-dl-wh-Charger-Maintainer/dp/B00DJ5KEEA/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=deltran+1.25&qid=1589909120&sr=8-5
According to the manual, it is *supposed* to charge to a higher voltage, then switch to a lower float voltage once the battery is fully charged. Connect the charger and monitor the battery voltage with your meter, and see if it goes up to over 13.8 V before switching to maintenance mode. I've seen some so-called automatic chargers that do some funny things..
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Offline grcamna2

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Re: What's the best battery for a Cb550?
« Reply #24 on: May 19, 2020, 06:20:09 PM »
I like to use either a 1amp or 2 amp constant charger(Schumacher)to top-off the battery,to assess whether it will top-up to about 13,if it's new;the used ones,I consider 12.7vts a decent hot battery.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.