Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: Madgrandad on July 23, 2024, 10:10:31 AM

Title: Battery size
Post by: Madgrandad on July 23, 2024, 10:10:31 AM

Hi all,

I'm struggling to find the right battery for my 1978 CB400F, apparently there's 4 different types for that bike. Does anyone have the measurements/dimensions and which side the positive and negative are on as you look at it when you take the side panel off.

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: taysidedragon on July 23, 2024, 10:35:56 AM

When you look at the bike from the side, the earth lead is on the right front corner, live lead on the left rear.

I put a Motobatt battery in mine, they come with battery posts that can be fitted in any of the 4 corners.

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: Nurse Julie on July 23, 2024, 11:05:19 AM

YUASA YB12A-A
YB12A-A AGM POWERLINE
MB12U MOTOBATT

All the above fit the 400/4

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on July 23, 2024, 11:13:10 AM

When buying a battery for a car or bike it helps to know the manufacturers casing type. This defines the dimensions pretty accurately between different manufacturers.
Our old Merc uses Type 019 casing - You can find a wide range of batteries in terms of Wet acid,Gell,AGM,Ah, cca etc - they will all phyiiscally fit in the battery space in the boot.

Finding the original manufacturers type can be quite tricky as they often want you to only buy one from them The closest I could find to a battery type for my 400 was Type YB12A-A.

If you look on the Tanya website and go to the motorcycles section down the left side all the casing types are listed. In some instances there have been minor amendments to casing types to reduce casing manufacturing costs. So a battery that only has a small difference in say height for a partiicular model will show the one that fits even though its a mm less in height.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/motorcycle-batteries/

Julie has shown the options - I've gone for the long winded explanation as I am an overthinker.

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: JezzaPeach on July 23, 2024, 11:57:57 AM

For my 500/4 the Motobatt AGM battery came with a plastic spacer that needed to be removed. Obviously I noticed this and didn’t try fitting it with it on 🤦
The battery is lasting very well.

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on July 23, 2024, 12:21:03 PM

I will fit the Motobatt version on my 500 as it's the same battery type as the 400. Iirc the Motobatt has a slightly higher amp rating so worth the extra few quid unless you are on a tight budget.

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: Bryanj on July 23, 2024, 03:48:05 PM

I only ever remember one battery for all the 400/500/550 originally a 12N12A-4A-1, now a YB12A-A.
I have used Tanya and very happy with price and performance

Title: Re: Battery size
Post by: Madgrandad on July 23, 2024, 04:03:29 PM

Thanks every one for your advice, very helpful 👍