Topic: kickstart only battery question

[camelman]

Hola, I've tried the search feature without success.  Can anyone tell me how small I can go with the battery AH before I run into operational issues?  I'm  building a 350F cafe without electric start for a friend.

Thanks,
Camelman

[scrapvalue]

If the charging system is working right, it can be very small.
The batterys that are in the old kickstart only bikes like a 1990 DR350 or a 2005 KLR250 and earlier will work fine.
These bikes are kickstart only, but have all the lights and acc. like the Honda 350.

[Inigo Montoya]

I dont know what the 350 has stock but I would figure a 7 amp would work just fine.

[CB750Ken8]

I read somewhere you could use a capacitor something in the 1000uF range to provide a load for the regulator and the alternator as well as to store an initial charge to give the first spark.

[Inigo Montoya]

That is if you are running with a magneto and no battery usually.

[Gordon]

That is if you are running with a magneto and no battery usually.

Yeah.  It's been gone over many times on this forum.  IIRC, it turns out that if you want to use capacitors to replace the battery you would need so many that they would roughly equal the size and weight of the stock battery.

[CB750Ken8]

Interesting, like i said i saw it somewhere I didn't read too much into it since I'm lazy I like having the option of an electric start even if it does cost me about 20pounds or so in battery and starter, at least it got cleared up.

[scottly]

I have run my 836 with a 3AH battery with no problems.

[camelman]

I went down to Cycle Gear today and rummaged through their batteries.  I ended up buying a minuscule 4 AH unit that fits perfectly into the space I have.  I just have to finish a little welding, powder coat, and reassemble.  I'll let you know how it runs in a couple weeks.  Woohoo!

Thanks for all the feedback.

Camelman

[Inigo Montoya]

I threw out 7 amp as I ran my 77 with electric start on that for a couple months. Ultimately, if you keeps rpms about 2000, and your bike starts good, even a 3 will probably hold up but maybe not for long.

[auro]

I read somewhere you could use a capacitor something in the 1000uF range to provide a load for the regulator and the alternator as well as to store an initial charge to give the first spark.

maybe something like this?

http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/BEC.html

[sir funk]

I read somewhere you could use a capacitor something in the 1000uF range to provide a load for the regulator and the alternator as well as to store an initial charge to give the first spark.

maybe something like this?

http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/BEC.html

Won't work with the 350F as it has an field coil (electromagnet) stator instead of a permanent magnet.  That cap needs a permanent magnet. 

[auro]

Won't work with the 350F as it has an field coil (electromagnet) stator instead of a permanent magnet.  That cap needs a permanent magnet.

oh

thx

which CB models would it then work with? 500? 550?

[sir funk]

Won't work with the 350F as it has an field coil (electromagnet) stator instead of a permanent magnet.  That cap needs a permanent magnet.

oh

thx

which CB models would it then work with? 500? 550?

I think all the SOHCs (350,400,500,550,750) have a similar stator setup.  The 650 and 750 DOHC stilll have the field coil, but its a different design.  I think the cb350, cl/cb450 twins all have a permanent magnet, and I would guess some of the other same era honda twins would as well.

[auro]

I think all the SOHCs (350,400,500,550,750) have a similar stator setup.  The 650 and 750 DOHC stilll have the field coil, but its a different design.  I think the cb350, cl/cb450 twins all have a permanent magnet, and I would guess some of the other same era honda twins would as well.

alright - thanks for the feedback, sir funk!

I was thinking that keeping one of these thingys with me in case the battery dies 450 kms from anything useful, it might help a great deal in getting the bike started, no?

just a thought