happy ending to more battery questions

[CanadianSteve]

Hey, thanks to all of my friends here I now have a smooth running motorcycle once again ... the new battery did the trick, after I followed the " fully charge " tips, and others, not only did I learn some new testing procedures ... I believe that my bike is faster now !!! Of course it was not running before, so anything seems like an improvement.
Thanks again to all.
Steve

[GlobalRider]

the new battery did the trick...

What brand and model/type of battery did you end up getting?

[GlobalRider]

Steve,

Keep an eye on your battery every 4 months or so.

Check the fluid level from time to time. That may be a bit hard to do considering the colour of the casing...not very transparent. I use a small flashlight and hold it against the casing on the back of the battery and find that helps.

Having to deal with winter storage, I pull my battery once a year and give it a good external cleaning before removing the caps to top up the fluid. This is where I use one of those cheap plastic vernier calipers to check the level as I top up the battery with "distilled water" to the "max" line. I use the depth gauge of the vernier caliper (the metal rod) and use the top of the battery as the reference. Placing some tape on the caliper maintains the setting. Use a squeeze bottle to add the distilled water.

Another thing I do is place a "closed cell" 1/8" thick neoprene foam mat under my battery. I think it prevents some of the vibrations making it to the battery. If not that, it at least prevents rusting of the battery tray by eliminating fretting.

And so your battery doesn't go low and sulphate, install a YUASA Battery Analyzer. They're about $10. All they do is tell you if your battery voltage is above (green LED)/below (red LED) 12.5 volts without you having to get your DMM out. The module unplugs leaving you with an SAE connector to plug your charger into...what your Battery Tender has, I believe. I have one on each of my motorcycles.

YUASA Accessories (http://www.yuasabatteries.com/accessories.asp)

Now see how many years you can get out of it.

[CanadianSteve]

What brand and model/type of battery did you end up getting?
I got the Mareg battery from BMW. Thanks for the tips!
Steve