Topic: Battery Question for 75 Honda CB550

[The Machine]

I want to replace my battery and go with a smaller one so I can fit it under the seat. Would this battery work, 12V 8AH AGM? I'll switch out the turn signals and brake light to LED but will be using the original headlight (bulb). Not worried if it has enough cold cranking power, can use kick starter. My concern is will this supply enough power and not affect the performance of the bike. Will the coils be affected, I also have switched out to electronic ignition and have a new solid state regulator rectifier. Not sure if that matters. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Bankerdanny]

If you want to squeeze it under the seat then go with a lithium battery from someplace like Antigravity or Shorai rather than AGM. You get a much smaller battery and really don't give up any reserve capacity.

[The Machine]

Thanks, reason why I want to go with this battery (Duracell Ultra 12V 8AH) is because of the price. It's small enough and it's only $39.00. Do the coils need the battery to work properly? That's my main concern.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I want to replace my battery and go with a smaller one so I can fit it under the seat. Would this battery work, 12V 8AH AGM? I'll switch out the turn signals and brake light to LED but will be using the original headlight (bulb). Not worried if it has enough cold cranking power, can use kick starter. My concern is will this supply enough power and not affect the performance of the bike. Will the coils be affected, I also have switched out to electronic ignition and have a new solid state regulator rectifier. Not sure if that matters. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Swapping to a solid state reg/rec is important if you go with a lithium battery.  Otherwise, if there is a short, your batter can runaway charge and explode.

[The Machine]

Great, thank you for the advise. I plan to have it hooked up to a trickle charger when not riding.

[Bankerdanny]

Trickle chargers are intended to slowly charge, not for maintenance. Leaving it attached to a trickle charger will kill the battery just like a regular charger, just a little more slowly.

Buy a Battery Tender or something similar, they will only charge as needed, keeping the battery topped off and not overcharging.

This might have been what you meant, but a trickle charger is not the same as a smart charging device.

[lrutt]

Might say don't scrimp on electrical. Do it right. If you have to make a mount etc. make it big enough to handle the proper battery. You can't always guarantee you'll get that battery and batteries do vary in size. Also,,,you can mount the battery below the swingarm and hide it down there, Keeps weight low and frees up space elsewhere for electronics. That's what I did with a Shorai.

[The Machine]

Thank you and yes I meant a battery tender. I was thinking of mounting the battery on the swing arm if I wasn't able to tuck it.

[lrutt]

Under swingarm, not on. The center stand brackets are a perfect mount point.