Tuesday, May 15, 2012

5 Steps to Restoring Your Motorcycle Battery

If your motorcycle could talk what would it say about the way you take care of it? Did you know that taking a voltage reading can actually tell you a lot about how the battery is feeling?

1) The first thing you should check is the terminals, it’s important to keep them free from corrosion. You can easily clean them, just mix two spoons of baking soda to a pint of water and scrub away with a wire brush. Check to make sure the cable connections are clean and tightened and your motorcycle battery will thank you.

2) Another important factor is the temperature of where you are storing your battery. If it’s impossible to store your bike in a climate controlled area, take the battery out and store it where the climate is between 0° and 85° F. That will keep your battery happy as well.

3) One of the best ways to keep your battery in good condition while storing, is to keep it on a trickle charger. Batteries have a certain way to be charged, especially if they have been deeply dis-charged. These chargers are best known as battery maintainers or trickle chargers. This will ensure the battery reaches a full charge safely, and maintains 100% readiness without worry. If you are looking for a great trickle charger try Battery Tender plus, Noco Genius or the Chargetek ck150.

4) Now if you have a conventional battery (serviceable battery, wet cell, or flooded type) all of the fluid levels have to be checked and the ones that are low need to be filled appropriately. Remember you should only use “mineral free” water, distilled is best because all the impurities have been removed and then there is nothing in the water that can stick to your cells or contaminate them. Don’t overfill the battery especially in warmer weather because the natural fluid can cause expansion in hot weather and can push the excess electrolytes from the battery.

5) 80% of all battery failure is related to buildup of sulfate. When a battery is drained and neglected, sulfate will most certainly accrue. The good news is this can be reversed, using a de-sulfating unit or pulsing maintenance charger. A Pulse Tech Desulfator will ensure gradual restoration to your damaged motorcycle battery.

By following these steps, you can ensure the battery will last longer. Taking care of your battery pays off when you don’t have to buy a new battery every year. You may also notice the battery will perform like new again. You don’t have to be a motorcycle technician or a battery expert to learn how to restore and maintain your battery.