How to change a motorcycle battery?



Knowledge regarding motorcycle maintenance is utterly important for any motorcycle rider. It helps in understanding your vehicle better, gives you confidence when deciding to travel with your motorcycle (as mechanics are not available everywhere all the time), and helps you saving you money for not going down to service men all the time with petty problems. 

 

Changing a motorcycle battery is a bit mechanical but not a very difficult task. The process is ought to vary greatly from motorcycle to motorcycle. So you need to be very careful with reading the proper guide or watching the right video before having your hands on the motorcycle. 

 

Here is a step by step procedure about how to proceed when changing your motorcycle battery:

 

Step 1:

The battery varies from motorcycle to motorcycle, so before opening the motorcycle and preparing to switch to a new one, buy the new battery first. To know the actual battery you need either refer to the service manual provided with your motorcycle or enter your motorcycle and its model number in google to acquire the needful.

 

Step 2:

After you have the new battery, the next task is to replace it. Go ahead by locating the existing battery in your motorcycle. You may find this information too in the user manual, where you will also be instructed about the tools you will be requiring to open the space in order to remove the battery. 

However, most motorcycles have their batteries at a commonplace that is under the seat. But with upgoing technology and advancement modifications are weighing these days. 

If the battery is located under the seat, you need the bare minimum tools. The toolkit you have is enough to do the task. 

 

Step 3:

The initial to replacing it is to disconnect the old battery. It is always best to start with removing the negative cable as you break the circuit and that lessens the chances of any accidental damage. And next disconnect the positive cable. 

 

[Note: the negative cable is the black colored one, and is connected to the (-) ve terminal]

 

Now, you can easily pull out the battery, but make sure to remove the screw and bolts that fix it to place before pulling it out. 

 

Step 4:

And now the one last step to the whole process. You can now fix the new battery. 

Put the nuts into the lace properly. You can either use the old existing nuts or use the new ones (if provided with the new battery). 

 

Now, reconnect the cables, but this time do this in reverse, connect the red cable first (the one that will be connected to the (+)ve terminal) and then the black one. 

Also read, How to earn money from traveling?

 

Step 5:

Once you are done, turn on the ignition, and see if the light operates properly. In this way, you can make sure it is functioning properly. Then replace the panels in the same matter you opened them. 

 

And now, you are ready to go. Get back in the riding jackets and you are all set to throttle. 

 

Changing the battery of a motorcycle is thus no big deal. It is a straightforward and easy task and can be done in some minutes. But better to stay aware than to regrets, when performing the process, stay much aware and careful about not losing the small parts like screws or bolts, disconnecting and joining the wired correctly, etc. 


 

Should I charge my motorcycle battery or replace it?

To charge a battery or to change is a matter of how long you have been using it. A usual motorcycle battery lasts for 4 years approximately when well maintained - cleaned, and charged in a certain interval. 

To keep your motorcycle’s battery in a good condition, charge it often at least once every six months (more frequently for people living in colder regions) start the engine every alternate day at least for two minutes. 

So, depending on the age of the battery and the condition of it, decide whether to charge or replace it. 

Related read: How to keep a motorcycle battery charged?

 


How do I know if my motorcycle battery is bad?

The event of changing your motorcycle battery comes with some prior signs and symptoms. You can easily estimate the dysfunctionality by the way your motorcycle behaves. However, these are a few possibilities that indicate that your battery is bad, 

  • The first probable change you are expected to observe is, your motorcycle won’t start smoothly. It would take a few trials before starting. 
  • Sometimes, you can check the condition of your battery physically. If you spot bumps, leaks, cracks, bulges, etc., you may reach a conclusion that the battery is not in a very suitable condition. 
  • Another clear physical signal indicating the necessity of changing your motorcycle battery is when the sound of your motorcycle horn has dimmed and the lights are not as bright as they are supposed to be. 
  • Sometimes the sulfur molecules from the lead-acid battery leak out and stick to the lead plates, causing the effective working of the battery to fail. And that’s when you know you need to replace your motorcycle’s battery. 
  • Checking in with your multimeter tool helps in the detection of the condition of a motorcycle battery. 
  • Last but not the least, not starting your motorcycle for the long term can also cause your motorcycle battery to malfunction and make it, even more, quickly to get a replacement before time. 

Related read, Why Won’t My Motorcycle Start In The Cold?

 

How do you start a motorcycle with a dead battery?

Motorcycle battery often drains out after a certain time, the dying out time varies with how much you use your motorcycle, in which climatic condition you live, your riding style and habits, and road conditions (congestion or empty).

After a battery is dead you can either charge it or replace it with a new one after it has lived for a considerable period of time. 

However, you can PUSH START a motorcycle with a dead battery. 

It refers to manually pushing a motorcycle to start it. It has chances of failure but giving it a try in an avoidable situation or a try before switching your motorcycle’s battery is not a bad deal.

To know more, refer to - How to start a motorcycle with a dead battery?

 

 

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