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Question on your battery: I know it hasn't been long yet, but does it spin the starter with authority? It seems to be battery time for me... still working, but seems slower than a few months ago (and I've never changed it)... I have more compression than you do, but always use the manual release valves. Reading the Antigravity recommendations, I'm a little worried about the 1201, although I love the size... For this reason I'm leaning towards the 1601, but I'm curious how the 12-Cell is working for you...
I had the same concerns for the same reasons. It cranks like a champ, man. Seriously. No idea what all the factors are but in addition to the battery, I also upgraded the starter to an All-***** 1.2kW and the wiring is pretty damn good. 4 gauge tinned OFC with conductive grease and solid copper lugs.
I have started it accidentally several times. The starter button plays triple duty as ignition/start/kill. Double click for kill and ignition. Press and hold for start. If I don't double click fast enough it sometime tries to crank...and it has started a couple times...
I was also concerned about the reserve capacity but I still haven't plugged in the charger and I have done a LOT of quick heat cycles and assorted electrical testing with no hint of trouble.
Combine that with the "safe" failure from my dead short and I'm completely sold. Time will tell, but I can't see ever going back to lead acid. If I didn't want the extra ballast at the right rear of my car, I'd switch to lithium iron on it too.
Last edited by cggorman; Oct 12, 2018 at 04:31 PM.
Yeah, no problem there! I've kept it really short for a long time. The beard made it hard to buckle my helmet and also got in the way with my welding helmet, so it was time to go. Not to mention it whipped around pretty good on the highway. Felt like riding thru a sand storm.
I used to have a good friend, Montana Mike (RIP), who had a serious ZZ Top beard and rode an older FL with a windshield. He always wore a half helmet, and something about the way the wind curled around behind the windshield made his beard fully extend in a straight line pointing forward, parallel to the ground. It always cracked me up to be cruising on the highway next to him!
I used to have a good friend, Montana Mike (RIP), who had a serious ZZ Top beard and rode an older FL with a windshield. He always wore a half helmet, and something about the way the wind curled around behind the windshield made his beard fully extend in a straight line pointing forward, parallel to the ground. It always cracked me up to be cruising on the highway next to him!
Mines not quite that long (maybe 3") but the rare times I use a windshield it will fly straight out, and whip up and slap me on the cheeks. Drives me nuts, and is actually fairly uncomfortable. I just avoid the windshield except for when I'm expecting rain or it's really cold.
It seems to be battery time for me... still working, but seems slower than a few months ago (and I've never changed it)... I have more compression than you do, but always use the manual release valves.
Originally Posted by cggorman
I had the same concerns for the same reasons. It cranks like a champ, man. Seriously. No idea what all the factors are but in addition to the battery, I also upgraded the starter to an All-***** 1.2kW and the wiring is pretty damn good. 4 gauge tinned OFC with conductive grease and solid copper lugs.
And... My bike wouldn't start today. A couple of revolutions, then clicking. Tried my jump box, same thing. Tried my charger, same thing... I think I need a starter. I have 13.8 volts across the battery... Not surprising, really... The original owner bumped compression to 10.5 when the bike was less than a year old, back in '01. I always use the release valves, but who knows how many times they haven't been used in 18 years.
You seem happy with the All ***** 1.4... I'm leaning towards ordering one. $287 from Revzilla. A little pricier, but the made-in-USA Spyke Supertorque 1.4 looks interesting too...
When I was soliciting opinions from the forum, I was warned away from Spyke. Just FYI.
Crack open your solenoid and pull the plunger. It only takes a couple minutes. Three screws. Can be done on the bike. The contacts may be worn out. If so, I have an unused rebuild kit you're welcome to have gratis.
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