Battery for '77 Le Mans

[bodine99]

HI Guys,
My very first Guzzi LM is arriving from Italy in a few days. I need battery advise. I have a Motobatt in my '76 Duke. Is this the best option for the Guzzi? If so what spec model?

Also a Deka YTX30L fan.

[jas67]

I just ordered a sealed YTX30L-BS from Amazon for $79.99 (Guzzi Content, TM).    Should be here the middle of next week.

As the Tom Petty song goes, "The Waiting is the Hardest Part".

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

One reason I buy the Deka/Big Crank is that it's made by East Penn Mfg. and supports workers in your state.  Since Battery Mart is in Winchester, VA it usually arrives in 1 or 2 days. 

Battery Mart also sells the "Mega Crank" MTX30L for $89.95 with free shipping. Made in China.

The extra $20 (or $10 when on sale or I buy locally) is worth it to me.

[PeteS]

I have used BigCrank batteries in other bikes. They are OK. I have been using garden tractor batteies in my LeMans for over 30 years, no problem. They usually last me 6-7 years and now they come sealed. The frame still has all  its original paint. No plans to change.

Pete

[Tom]

+1 on the sealed garden tractor batteries for the Tonti frames.  I get Deka's for the V11 Sport frame bikes.   

[Guzzistajohn]

Harpers has a nifty hold down bracket for the top of the Odyssey. I keep a bank bag with some tools in the x tra space.

[jas67]

One reason I buy the Deka/Big Crank is that it's made by East Penn Mfg. and supports workers in your state.  Since Battery Mart is in Winchester, VA it usually arrives in 1 or 2 days. 

Battery Mart also sells the "Mega Crank" MTX30L for $89.95 with free shipping. Made in China.

The extra $20 (or $10 when on sale or I buy locally) is worth it to me.

I didn't know, I assumed they were all made in China.

The Eldo battery just gave up the ghost, so, I now need one for it too, so, I just ordered a Big Crank for the Eldo.

[Cam3512]

I never understood cheaping out on a battery.  Without its strong heartbeat, you’re walkin’.

[jas67]

I never understood cheaping out on a battery.  Without its strong heartbeat, you�re walkin�.

Well, I've got one "good" one, and one cheap one.    Time will tell.

[Old Jock]

Just a point on the liquid filled batteries (and I hate them) they don't discharge acid gas, they discharge Hydrogen (I think).

They do splash acid vapor and liquid in time though unless you are careful

Personally another Odyssey fan boy here and if not MotoBatt

If I can't get an Odyssey to fit and need to go to another brand I'm always after an AGM

Been running a 680 in the LM 1000 for about 6 years now, ZERO problems

[larrys]

I have had good luck with Briggs+Stratton batteries... I think they're made by Interstate and available at my local lawnmower store.
Larry

[sdcr]

 largely due to all of the rain we have had over the past few months, my Le Mans III has been used very infrequently. It's odyssey battery will crank the bike easily, even though it is at least 6+ years old. These batteries just last.

[jas67]

So, I have to ask, why such big batteries for the older Guzzis.

The battery for a modern V7 is about half the size of Tonti or Loop battery.  You'd think a battery big enough to crank a 750cc small block twin would be able to crank an 850 big block twin.    It's only 13% bigger.

I recently put a new battery in my 2013 V7 Racer, and later found out there is a problem with the bike itself drawing down the battery when parked.   I had assumed, since the bike is 6 years old that the battery was just done.

Anyway, I put that 6 year old, tiny (compared to the ones suggested in this thread) in the Eldo.    It starts it just fine.

So, I'll use that this weekend so I can ride it, and then put the "Big Crank" in when it arrives.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

So, I have to ask, why such big batteries for the older Guzzis.

I'm guessing it was to have enough capacity to compensate for the weak early Bosch charging system and have enough amps for the Bosch starter to crank a big-block.

I'd rather have too much, than not enough.

[Tom]

More CCA's needed from the older lead acid wet batteries.  Same amount of CCA's from AGM and LiPo batteries from smaller batteries.  Anyone can correct me.

[jas67]

I'm guessing it was to have enough capacity to compensate for the weak early Bosch charging system and have enough amps for the Bosch starter to crank a big-block.

I'd rather have too much, than not enough.

I don't argue with that.

[Diploman]

I have been using an 8-cell AntiGravity lithium battery in my V50 for the past year.  The battery has been excellent in every way:  no problems, no leakage, no fumes, very strong cranking power.  It will hold a charge for months.  The battery is featherweight and so compact that the space formerly devoted to housing the (large) OE battery has now become a very useful luggage compartment.  If reducing weight and bulk are considerations for choosing a new battery, I would recommend a LiPo.  The AntiGravity saves about 8 lbs. over the Yuasa I was previously using.  Pricey, yes.  But thus far I have to say it's the best battery I have used.

[Furbo]

The only experience I have with a Le Mans battery, is the one that I put in my 83 Le Mans III, about 5 years ago. It's the odyssey 625. Fits the space well, and cranks very strong. I can leave the bike unattended for a couple of months of the winter, and it starts right up. I had one in a Sport 1100i for about 7 years, and it was still going strong when I sold the bike.

They are a bit pricey, buy since they last so long, I think the cost works out.

John

1983 Le Mans III

+1