400/4 build. Paused due to other commitments. But starting up again

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Doesn't look right to me, the pivot arm is not positioned right, it should be a lot more upright, you may find the threaded part at the rear is way too far through the brake lever arm. You may also find having it that low means the spring is hardly tensioned so it doesn't return the setup as strongly as it should.

I suspect it looks like that as the rod is not yet attached at the other end to the brake hub or the drum link/stop arm is not yet connected?

[Oddjob]

It should look right without the rod being connected Ted. The adjusting bolt on the brake lever should stop it going to high.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I put the pedal on last.

[ComfySofa]

Well...i think im done....got the bar swapped round...brake appears to be ok....not a great deal of travel on the switch though....thanks for all the input today.. cheers sir's - tar.

[ComfySofa]

More advice please: !!

Can anyone recommend a lithium battery please....? Im going the motogadget route and wanted to partner up with a lithium jobbie!

Cheers

PS ( I need to upload some more photos as its come on a little bit since i last posted!)

[K2-K6]

No direct recommendation or good experience (yet, as mostly cheap type encountered) of li battery, but this may help you pinpoint something worthwhile https://www.motorcycle.com/products/lithium-motorcycle-batteries-myths-vs-realities as seems a decent overview.

[ComfySofa]

Thanks. Im more than knowledgeable on that front (ive got lithiums in my Hypermotard, RSV4 factory and Z1000) and theyve all been fine....it really more a case of "these are the best ones for the 400/4" for example...people do use the anti-gravity batteries but theyre pretty expensive...ive been using JMT batteries which are really good and reasonably priced....

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not sure of the benefits of Lithium but an AGM type battery takes some beating for low use vehicles.
Charging on Lithium might be a consideration in terms of  alternator voltage.

[ComfySofa]

ok - i must say the argument has been raging on the ducati forum.....ive had one in the hyper for about 4 years now with no issues....i leave it on the tender when its not being used for a while as theres a tracker in there that does drain the battery....

[Matt_Harrington]

What benefits do you get from the Lithium batteries (excluding the weight advantage)?
Matt

[Johnny4428]

What benefits do you get from the Lithium batteries (excluding the weight advantage)?
Matt

Bit lighter on the back pocket. 🤣🤣

[ComfySofa]

What benefits do you get from the Lithium batteries (excluding the weight advantage)?
Matt

Size - anti gravity batteries are about 2/3rds the size....give me room for wiring and placement of other components...

[Lobo]

Comfy - I was using this in my recently sold 400F. Ignore the $ price, I’m googling from Oz, but did buy my Shorais in the Uk < I retired.

https://shoraipower.com/lfx14a5-bs12-backorder--p74

It was not particularly undersized - so not sure if it’ll fit your bill.

To the nay sayers I’ve now had 3 LiFe in 1970s Hondas - and had no issues…. have just installed #3 in the ‘750 restoration.

The advantages are obviously weight, but more than that longevity. The LiFe’s I bought in 2015 are still going strong - one has the arduous job of cranking a Moto Guzzi 1280cc Griso. The other + is that they tend not to discharge if idle, meaning your old Honda should crank fine if left 12 months. (obviously if you’ve alarms / clocks etc fitted there would be an issue)

So cost… perhaps 1.5x. But outweighed by longevity and minimal pita once fitted - for me. (They are less tolerant of mis-set VRs, and really should only be subjected to a 14-15v charging range - so the electric system has to be in good fettle)

[philward]

I've use a Shorai Lithium Iron Motorcycle Battery on my CR750 replica (as just no space for normal battery for 3 years - only a few hundred miles). Initially I only had a kickstart but as I recently modified the bike to accomadate a race alternator and starter motor, I installed this high cranking amp Shorai LFX14L2-BS12 Lithium Iron Motorcycle Battery.
Expensive but the smallest, best quality for set output - but expensive. Here is the high cranking amp one I bought on eBay (very small and light)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293529841815

[ComfySofa]

Hi there - thanks for that (added to my watch list on ebay) a fair bit more than the JMT batteries that i currently use. Ive got JMT's in my Hypermotard, Z1000 and RSV4 and theyve all been fine...if ive got no option ill use the shorai you suggested - many thanks.