Replacement battery

[ted_paper]

Hi
Maybe a stupid question,but is a lithium battery (such as YTX9-BS EXIDE LI-ION LITHIUM MOTORBIKE BATTERY 12V ELTX9) a suitable replacement for the 400/4 ?
Thanks

[hairygit]

In a word, NO, because the Honda charging system is too crude for what a Lithium battery needs in charging current.

[ted_paper]

Thanks for that.I wanted to make sure before I bought.
Stay safe All

[Orcade-Ian]

I’ve been very happy with Motobatt AGM batteries on my 350 and 400 and also have them on my CBF600 and GL 1500 and they don’t need quite as much maintenance as conventional lead acid type.  That’s not to say you can neglect them though!  The longest life I had was just over 8 years but never less than 4 so far.

The down side on a 400 is that you can see the bright yellow case grinning at you but easily resolved with a half cover in black.

Ian

[dave400]

I’ve been very happy with Motobatt AGM batteries on my 350 and 400 and also have them on my CBF600 and GL 1500 and they don’t need quite as much maintenance as conventional lead acid type.  That’s not to say you can neglect them though!  The longest life I had was just over 8 years but never less than 4 so far.

The down side on a 400 is that you can see the bright yellow case grinning at you but easily resolved with a half cover in black.

Ian

I also am using a Motobatt battery on my Cub90 seems fine no problems.......Cheers Dave

[neat street]

Motobatt on my 750, so far so good, does not need the same maintenance as others and seems to hold charge longer

[philward]

Motobat on my 750 and ZZR1100 - maintains charge after long periods of none use. I also run a Shorai Lithium battery or the CR750 reprica but that has a Electrex slimline alternator and associated regulator/etc and had no probrem (but no electric start on CR)

[mike the bike]

+1 on the Motobatt

[ted_paper]

Thanks guys.
Looks like motobatt gets the vote 

[Lobo]

Ted, I run Shorai LiFes in my CB750K2, CB400F & modern Moto Guzzi. They’re all 5 yrs old, and whilst expensive, have been absolutely maintenance free. (There is no winter discharge etc). They weigh what a normal ‘empty’ casing would (honestly) and can be mounted any way up.

I fully expect at least 2x conventional battery life.

The crux is that they have built in electronics to cater for Neanderthal charging systems of the old bikes. Ie ya hook ‘em straight up to your CB as you would any other battery.

Bottom line, ask the supplier if you’re keen.... the guys at Carrot Batteries where I bought mine from were superb.

(A further drawback to the initial purchase cost might be the necessity of a dedicated Lithium battery charger... should you inadvertently flatten it - something to consider.)

[heliwilly]

If the battery has built-in electronics to process the output from the "Neanderthal" Honda charging system, why not use a standard 12volt battery

charger to charge it??
 
Bill W.

[philward]

I've charged the Shorai Lithium on CR with ordinary battery charger (when initially setting up custom electrics and bike not started/charging) - the instructions say not to use a 'conditioning' battery charger. Since then, I've had battery on bike for 2 years with little use (of bike) and no problems - held charge over winter.

[Lobo]

...yea Bill, as I sent that I too thought, “that’s a bit Irish”
My guess is a flat Lithium needs more specialised care in recovery charging than a PB type, and so the specialist charger. But, as I say, a guess... I just followed the manufacturer’s instructions, which in hindsight having read Phil’s response, I may have misinterpreted.
 (Plus not prepared to mess with Li’s given their price and propensity to catch fire if abused!)

[JezzaPeach]

Motobatt AGM got me. Lasting fine. Last two lead ones lasted no time.
Fitted well when I realised it had a plastic packing piece on the bottom !
🙄