Topic: Looking to replace battery & starter cables, have questions

[fizzlebottom]

My aging battery ground cable looks crusty. The battery positive looks ok-ish, and I'm no longer happy with the DIY starter cable I made some years ago. I used auto store cabling and terminals that are just way too big and chunky.

I might be able to get OE cables for $$$ or I could DIY it properly for much less and still get high quality cabling. Need to know if there's a good reputable source for battery / starter cabling. I really like the supposed flexibility of Revival Cycle's stuff but don't want to shell out $60 for 4' of cable and a few terminations.

Any insight on an equally flexible bulk cable source? Also, want to know if 4awg is required or if 6awg is acceptable for the starter cable.

Also, wondering if anyone has vetted Battery Cables USA. Their pricing is extremely attractive, but I'm always wary of things that seem too good to be true.

[Ujeni]

You can make your own or go OEM as you've highlighted. Personally, I always go OEM unless I need something that OEM can't provide. Fortunately, the ground cable and battery cables are easy to find and cheap. I'm seeing ground cables for around $30 brand new and the same for the battery cable on eBay. Used ones in nice condition go for far less. You can also always clean up your ground cable and keep using it.

[HondaMan]

I have unsoldered the OEM connectors (uncrimped them first, messy) and then re-used them on new cable. The starters can draw up to 80 amps if you connect the bike to a big (car) battery and the engine is stiff for some reason, which will then burn the contacts inside the starter relay. So, they act as the "fuse" of sorts for the starter cable itself, quickly dropping the current as the copper bar inside the solenoid burns itself.

So, #6 cable is fine in length less than 3 feet. It also will fit back into the [re]used lugs. The stock size from Japan, is directly measured against SAE sizes, is like AWG 6.2 .If you use smaller-strand wire instead of stiff ones, it will also run cooler at all times when used. In many situations this is a great way to improve on a given wire, as having more strands for the size always makes the resistance lower.

[BenelliSEI]

Vintagecb750.com sells inexpensive replacements. They work for me.