Topic: 73 750 Battery question

[Gene]

Nothing major here - I think. I was swapping out the battery in my bike - just time to do it - and taking off the positive the nut would not budge. So much so that when I tried a wee bit harder the actual anode weakened and broke off. I stuck a wrench on it but, no go.

Could this be an electrical issue? Overcharging? I haven't had any issues with the bike save for the battery on it's last legs. Just curious if this problem has popped up for anyone else before - or if it's even an issue.

The fusebox/electrics/etc. all are clean - no bare wires. I haven't traced the whole harness because I know the PO did. Could it be too much of a draw from the headlamp? About 6 months out of the year I'm riding home in the dark. Up and down on the tach since it's Southern California and there are too many damned ppl here.

Here's a pic. My hunch is I over-tightened it on install and the anode is just weak metal anyway. Curious.

[pjlogue]

I would think it would be a case of over tightening and then corrosion.  If it were current related, enough to self solder the terminal to the bolt, it should have blown a fuse.  (unless the short was on the battery side of the fuse block and wasn't in the circuit.)  I also think you would have a melted battery wire if it were a short.  Check the wires carefully just to be sure.

-P.

[Gene]

Thank you. That's what I was thinking - it would have been a bigger problem if it were current-related. I'll check everything just to make sure.

Thanks again.

[bryanj]

Used to be a relatively common problem on old batteries back in the 70s when i was a full time mech.