Topic: Batteries! Who makes the smallest one?

[Dr. Honda]

I am doing a cafe bike with a very small seat and no cowl.

well, basically I want to have my battery as tucked away as possible, Is there a battery that can be turn on its side or is just plain tiny?  I've heard about gel and dry cell batteries but don't know much about em. 

Who's got the answer?!?!

[Gordon]

Tons of answers already here.  Search in the Tech forum for "small battery", "smallest battery", "AGM", etc. 

[jessezm]

The battery I'm using on my CB400f is an A123 battery and weighs 0.8 lbs!  I"ve put 500 miles on the bike so far, which has no kick starter, and it has performed flawlessly.  It is the 4-cell version here: http://www.build-stuff.com/x-cell.htm

Some have argued that this technology might not match well with our bikes' charging systems.   I don't know if that's true or not, but so far I am 100% happy.  it's a TINY battery.

[nippon]

My next choice. A small, cheap (  ~ $25.00) and strong one is the Panasonic LC-R-127 R2 PG1.
More starting power than the horrible expensive Hawker SBS-8.  If you like, you can store two of them in the stock CB750 battery box.
Measurement: 151mm x  65mm x 94mm, weight: 2500g.
A buddy of mine is running it for more than 4 years w/o any recharging or any problems.
If you wanna use it, adjust your regulator below 14V.
data sheet: http://www.battery-service.de/daten/bleiakku.pdf


nippon

[HondaMan]

The Hawker batteries may outlive your bike, unless you use them for electric starting a lot. They come in the "D" cell type, ganged into 12 volt packages, very small. And more $ per pound! 

[Dr. Honda]

That's what im talking about, those are tiny!

Can you tell me a little more about it's performance.  Do you notice it getting tired if the bike doesnt start right up.  And does it drain quick if the lights are on when idleing?

thanks

The battery I'm using on my CB400f is an A123 battery and weighs 0.8 lbs!  I"ve put 500 miles on the bike so far, which has no kick starter, and it has performed flawlessly.  It is the 4-cell version here: http://www.build-stuff.com/x-cell.htm

Some have argued that this technology might not match well with our bikes' charging systems.   I don't know if that's true or not, but so far I am 100% happy.  it's a TINY battery.

[jessezm]

Hey--
  Like I said, only 580 miles (now) on the bike so take this all with a grain of salt...   First, I have never had to press the starter for more than a few seconds.  If my bike doesn't start up right away, there's something wrong (like the engine kill switch is off!).  But from the info I got off the website, it delivers more consistent cranking amps right up to the last crank.  The problem is if you do drain the battery below 8v, you need to get it on the charger quick or it can cause damage.   If you have a kickstarter, though (I do not), you can avoid problems of draining the battery by kicking it.  The other thing about my bike is it likes to rev, and since I have been breaking it in I've totally avoided long idling situations.    But I do some city riding, and have been monitoring my battery voltage before starting up in the morning and after getting home, and it has been consistently between 13.2 and 14.5 volts regardless of short around town or long highway trips.

So far, I give this battery a glowing recommendation, but like I said, 580 miles is not what I'd call road-tested...

[Dr. Honda]

I like the sound of this battery, Where did you get it and how much?  I looked it up on the site, it was around $100 didnt know if that was the best or only place to get it.  And did you get the single or double stack? 

I'm not quite ready to get the battery yet so I'll probably check back to see how yours is doing.

thanks

Hey--
  Like I said, only 580 miles (now) on the bike so take this all with a grain of salt...   First, I have never had to press the starter for more than a few seconds.  If my bike doesn't start up right away, there's something wrong (like the engine kill switch is off!).  But from the info I got off the website, it delivers more consistent cranking amps right up to the last crank.  The problem is if you do drain the battery below 8v, you need to get it on the charger quick or it can cause damage.   If you have a kickstarter, though (I do not), you can avoid problems of draining the battery by kicking it.  The other thing about my bike is it likes to rev, and since I have been breaking it in I've totally avoided long idling situations.    But I do some city riding, and have been monitoring my battery voltage before starting up in the morning and after getting home, and it has been consistently between 13.2 and 14.5 volts regardless of short around town or long highway trips.

So far, I give this battery a glowing recommendation, but like I said, 580 miles is not what I'd call road-tested...

[jessezm]

I got the single stack--it is truly tiny and weighs less than a pound.  I purchased it directly from his website.  I emailed back and forth with him a few times, and concluded that I would first try the single stack, which he recommends for sport bikes 600cc and under, and if this didn't cut it, I'd buy a second stack and run them together.  I'm not going to need the second one, though.  Feel free to check back in with me.

[bwaller]

There is a hot deal on these right now while they last.    I just bought two four cell.

[Dr. Honda]

Wheres the deal at man?!?!

There is a hot deal on these right now while they last.    I just bought two four cell.

[scottly]

The battery I'm using on my CB400f is an A123 battery and weighs 0.8 lbs!  I"ve put 500 miles on the bike so far, which has no kick starter, and it has performed flawlessly.

Keep track of how many times you start the motor. This is as important, is not more so, than the miles. Any idea of the current draw of a loaded 400 starter? (The 750 starter can draw 120 amps loaded)
Very interested in your long-term results!

[jessezm]

Just click on the linked website and scroll down--they are marked down 25% currently. 

Wheres the deal at man?!?!

There is a hot deal on these right now while they last.    I just bought two four cell.

[jessezm]

The battery I'm using on my CB400f is an A123 battery and weighs 0.8 lbs!  I"ve put 500 miles on the bike so far, which has no kick starter, and it has performed flawlessly.

Keep track of how many times you start the motor. This is as important, is not more so, than the miles. Any idea of the current draw of a loaded 400 starter? (The 750 starter can draw 120 amps loaded)
Very interested in your long-term results!

Point well taken.  I'm not aware of the cranking amps of the 400.  I do have a big-bore kit installed as well, though I'm not sure whether or not that increases the draw or not.  Like I said, my bike fires with one or two short touches of the starter button, and since the battery is so small, I would think it takes relatively little riding to completely replace the power drawn by the starter motor.   My observations from testing the battery after short stop and go around town trips are that I'm still showing a gain or maintenance of battery voltage, rather than a loss.  But I suppose simple voltage readings don't tell you how much juice is left in the battery overall...  My understanding of these things is sub-par, and I know just enough to be dangerous...