Question on CCA for LM1 850 Guzzi

[lrutt]

I have around 20 bikes that I have restored/ride regularly. Problem is batteries get expensive. I've been toying with the idea of getting just a couple of Shorai LiFePo batteries and have some high current cable disconnects that would allow me to swap a battery like this between bikes. The 2 outlier bikes I have are my Guzzi and my BMW /7. Those are bigger batteries. I was wondering if I could get by with less than the rated 385 CCA on a battery for those bikes. They don't get run in the cold and are garage kept. Right now because of these bikes it would take the large form factor case which would not work with the likes of some of my other bikes. If I could get that down to the smaller size cases for the Shorai's I'd be golden. It seems though as even the popular lawn tractor batteries are still around 350CCA so I may be out of luck on this. Or may just have to leave the Guzzi and BMW out of the mix. Anyone who has experience on running a smaller battery on an old big block, the feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

[blackcat]

I use a Odyssey 680 battery with 170 CCA and have had no problems. That is with a Valeo starter, though I haven't had a problem with a Bosch starter.

[Moparnut72]

I don't know what size the batteries you are looking at are. I had a Harley before my Guzzi. It had the 110" motor. If the temp got down much below 40* it would hardly start and sometimes it wouldn't turn over. The stock battery was in the neighborhood of 380 CCA. It was not a big battery actually the same size as my Audace. I replaced it with Throttle X brand battery, same size but 500 CCA. It helped a lot. I kept it when I traded the Hardley hoping it would fit my Guzzi. It does but the poles are opposite so I haven't put it in because the cables won't reach. I will probably put extensions on when I get a chance although the Guzzi cranks just fine with the stock battery even below freezing.
kk

[PeteS]

I've been using Garden Tractor batteries for decades in my LeMans. Typical CCA is 250.

Pete

[Moparnut72]

I used them in my R75/5. I had to undo the rear part of the frame to get them in. They lasted a couple of years or three sometimes. BMW batteries were well over $100 and I never thought about Yuasa.
kk

[Kiwi_Roy]

 That sounds like a plan but I would go with 3 or 4 AGM batteries rather than an expensive type.
You are right you dont need to equip every bike with an all season battery if you are only going to ride it a few days per year.

[lrutt]

So it looks as though there is a correction factor for the shoes is of about 1.5.  Based on size and ratings it looks like case size 1 and size 2 would cover all bikes except my 6v Honda's. I have 3 bikes that need a battery right now. I could do the same thing with an agm possibly but power density becomes a problem. I know the shoes I in my friend honda is 8 years old and still going strong. Thanks for the feedback.

[wymple]

I ran my 84 Cal 2 for an entire year with 175CCA battery. Of course, it starts good. 250 is plenty, but you can never have too much.

[earemike]

I have run the recommended shorai and odyssey batteries without starting issues

[acogoff]

     An Odyssey 680 has enough snort to start a 150 horse Lycoming, so is more than enough battery to start a puny 850 round head. My T3 starts way better with the Odyssey than the battery it came with from the factory, not that they were anything to brag about, but they were very large.

[jvb]

I'm sure the Suzuki T250 does not have regulator, so a lithium battery may not be suitable for it, or any other that uses the battery as a regulator.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I'm wondering if some of the older bikes have a regulator suitable for the Shores?
Perhaps you could include a regulator to go along with the battery so no matter what bike it was in the charging was taken care of.
Not sure how you would do that without looking at schematics but I think it should be possible.
I guess you are thinking these batteries being smaller in size would fit all the battery brackets.
I'm guessing your Guzzi would get away with 200 CCA if its not cold, My VII Sport would draw ~170 Amps for its Valeo starter.
I think you may have trouble finding suitable high current plug in connectors.
Interesting idea.

[earemike]

There is a lot of conversation about what will do the job.

Given I can’t yet start my twinplugged (RACECO USA) LeMans without connecting a second battery (usually in another bike, motor running), what is the most powerful battery forum members have run?

[acguzzi]

The gear reduction starters are a lot easier on the batteries than the old stuff. I swapped my battery out for a LiFe which has more cranking capacity than the tractor batteries I used to use. I run a total loss electrical system in my race bike and I wanted to be able to run two races back to back with multiple starts without recharging. So I have four of the standard, I want to say 18650 round cells, four in parallel, four in series. That will easily start a regular car engine and is the size of a typical motorcycle battery and a lot lighter. I've been running that for a few years now with no issues.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

There is a lot of conversation about what will do the job.

Given I can’t yet start my twinplugged (RACECO USA) LeMans without connecting a second battery (usually in another bike, motor running), what is the most powerful battery forum members have run?

The "Big Crank" (Deka) battery that I use in a lot of Guzzis is 400 cca.  https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX30L-Battery.html

A Motobatt MBU1-35 has 410 cca https://www.batterymart.com/p-bm-mbu1-35-motobatt-battery.html

Here's one on Amazon that has 625 cca! https://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-Replaces-ETX30L-BS-YTX30L-BS-Powersports/dp/B07GY3H2ML

[MMRanch]

 lrutt

Here is an IDEA 

A battery that will crank a warmed-up engine is all you need .

For the first "Crank" of the day ... Your HOME and can jump it through a Battery-Tender plug.   Once your out and about any battery will work !   

Just an Idea ? 
................... ................... ................... ..........

I carry a double ended Battery-Tender plug "Jumper Cable" just in case I find a friend (new or old) in need . 

[Roebling3]

Irutt,
Have you imagined a compression release on the 110 h-d? Compression is the real problem. H-D has them in stock and can do the bore and threading, or job it out. One cylinder is likely enough.
Your starter will last much longer.
I use two on a modified 500cc twin 2 stroke. Kick start only.  R3~

[PeteS]

There is a lot of conversation about what will do the job.

Given I can’t yet start my twinplugged (RACECO USA) LeMans without connecting a second battery (usually in another bike, motor running), what is the most powerful battery forum members have run?

Might want to consider rebuilding your starter motor. My Raceco 850 starts easily with a garden tractor battery.

Pete

[Tom H]

For the HD, S & S make an Easy Start cam. Might be another option.

Tom

[lrutt]

Lot of good feedback. Thanks. 1 good point about the Suzuki and regulation I'll have to check. Sounds like I'll be fine with a case size 2 shots I for the goose and HD.

[jumpmaster]

A battery that will crank a warmed-up engine is all you need .

For the first "Crank" of the day ... Your HOME and can jump it through a Battery-Tender plug.   Once your out and about any battery will work !   



Well, that might be practical if you are only riding in late spring thru early autumn and if you never stop during a ride for more than a couple of hours.  Overnight rides would be out, too.