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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Farmer Dan on June 22, 2015, 04:10:10 PM

Title: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Farmer Dan on June 22, 2015, 04:10:10 PM: Put a new battery in the Eldorado today. This battery is smaller in physical size than the original battery so I need to make a hold down bracket or frame. Like to see what others have made for their batteries. This is a Motobatt MBTX16U. (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/farmerdan/MBTX16U_zps1c1gbrfn.jpg)
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: canuck750 on June 22, 2015, 04:47:35 PM: This an Odyssey in my Eldo and a NAPA battery clamp (two steel rods and a plastic clamp

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03250_zps075bdb02.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03250_zps075bdb02.jpg.html)

Used a small section of aluminum angle as a battery bracket

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03251_zps2ed3051f.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03251_zps2ed3051f.jpg.html)

I also fitted a modern fuse box beside the battery and a battery disconnect switch with the flip lever to the switch accessible from outside the side cover

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03249_zps808da0d7.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03249_zps808da0d7.jpg.html)

I run an alternator so the reg/rec is not required and more space is freed up

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03252_zps175a99d0.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20Eldorado/DSC03252_zps175a99d0.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: guzzisteve on June 22, 2015, 04:52:58 PM: I use a small truck tarp strap on my 700. CHEAP
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on June 22, 2015, 05:08:37 PM: A piece of 1" wide, 1/8" thick steel strap, 9 in. long., 8" center-to-center on the holes IIRC. "J" bolts from Advance Auto. Holes were already drilled in the battery tray.

(http://www.antietamclassiccycle.com/brians_ambassador/Brian_s_Ambo_05082014_-_2_001.JPG)

You can also do the same thing except utilizing the original holddown bolt holes, if you make a longer strap and run it diagonally across the top of the battery.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Rich A on June 22, 2015, 06:07:56 PM: I made this for one of my loops:

(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/Taurragon/Ambobber/Ambobberbatterytray.jpg) (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/Taurragon/media/Ambobber/Ambobberbatterytray.jpg.html)

I made another frame similar to this but it holds the battery so that it is more vertical (and the strap goes front-to-back rather than side-to-side.

Rich A
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: fotoguzzi on June 22, 2015, 06:25:56 PM: Quote from: canuck750 on June 22, 2015, 04:47:35 PM

I run an alternator so the reg/rec is not required and more space is freed up

I don't even have a loopframe but curious what your set up is? alternator in place of the generator or on the crank like Tonti bikes?
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: canuck750 on June 22, 2015, 06:39:14 PM: Quote from: fotoguzzi on June 22, 2015, 06:25:56 PM
I don't even have a loopframe but curious what your set up is? alternator in place of the generator or on the crank like Tonti bikes?

It's an alternator conversion kit from Scrambler Cycle, plug and play installation. A very easy conversion and a complete kit with bracket, alternator and wore harness.

Cheers

Jim
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: fotoguzzi on June 22, 2015, 07:10:12 PM: Ah I see, had not heard of them but it must be nice to ditch that big ol generator and the mount that tends to bust.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on June 22, 2015, 07:59:59 PM: Quote from: fotoguzzi on June 22, 2015, 07:10:12 PM
Ah I see, had not heard of them but it must be nice to ditch that big ol generator and the mount that tends to bust.

The bracket isn't really that much smaller:

(http://product-images.highwire.com/9472082/5910555orig.jpg)

Kevin supplies one "brace", but I still add an arm back to the distributor bolt for more support.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Perazzimx14 on June 23, 2015, 05:26:37 PM: I use a giant zip tie typically used for securing flex duct to collars. Lowes has them in 30" x 3/8" wide. Carry a spare rolled up on top of the battery secured with the 1st zip tie.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on June 23, 2015, 05:38:09 PM: Two identical aluminium straps that hook onto the edge of the platform bent to meet in the middle of the battery fastened with a 6mm bolt, no hole drilling required.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: lorazepam on June 23, 2015, 05:40:54 PM: Plumber's tape.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Farmer Dan on June 23, 2015, 05:51:55 PM: Got it figured out. $8 from the auto parts store. Be nice if there was a motorcycle shop in this part of the state. Sure starts better with the correct battery in there. :thumb:

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/farmerdan/1972%20Moto%20Guzzi%20Eldorado%20Rebuild/Mottobatt%20MBTX16U_zps5hhswhaj.jpg)
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: father guzzi obrian on June 23, 2015, 07:55:33 PM: For years, I used a $20 lawn tractor battery and a bungee cord on my Eldo, worked dandy (guzzi content)
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: eldoroddo on June 23, 2015, 10:54:26 PM: Sears sells an adjustable hard plastic battery hold down for around $10.
You won't need anything else or have to fabricate some goofy hillbilly alternative.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on June 24, 2015, 12:51:41 AM: Sorry to hijack the thread,

What is the proper place for the regulator?
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Farmer Dan on June 24, 2015, 06:50:16 AM: Quote from: Kiwi_Roy on June 24, 2015, 12:51:41 AM
Sorry to hijack the thread,

What is the proper place for the regulator?
The one in my picture is in the proper place.
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on June 24, 2015, 08:33:43 AM: Quote from: eldoroddo on June 23, 2015, 10:54:26 PM
Sears sells an adjustable hard plastic battery hold down for around $10.
You won't need anything else or have to fabricate some goofy hillbilly alternative.

:rolleyes: I wouldn't call any of the examples posted a "goofy hillbilly alternative".
Title: Re: Need ideas for a battery hold down
Post by: tris on June 25, 2015, 06:26:31 AM: Quote from: Perazzimx14 on June 23, 2015, 05:26:37 PM
I use a giant zip tie typically used for securing flex duct to collars. Lowes has them in 30" x 3/8" wide. Carry a spare rolled up on top of the battery secured with the 1st zip tie.

Useful for getting them out too if the battery sits in a bit of a hole as it does on my Cali and you can't get you fingers under it to lift it out :thumb: