Battery for '77 Le Mans

[S2DUC]

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?

[sidecarnutz]

For older Guzzi's, I have always liked good lawn tractor batteries!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

You'll get lots of advice on what's "best", I'll let you decide which really is.  My preference: Deka/Big Crank ETX30L. http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX30L-Battery.html

[Arizona Wayne]

On the older LeMans models (CX100/LM II)) you have room for a bigger battery and I get a rider mower battery with at least 275 CCA which last me 4-5 years for about $35.  On my LM IV there wasn't enough room for 1 so I couldn't get a battery big enough to last near as long at any price I was willing to pay. 

Recently put a new Energizer battery on my `77 Convert. and it turned over the Bosch starter so fast I was in awe. 

[sdcr]

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

[Charles in Lake Charles]

If you purchase from batterymart.com, get on their e-mail list (savings club) for frequent discount offers.
I've been using this store recently and had good results http://stores.ebay.com/BatterySharks-Store_W0QQ_fsubZ6939166015

[blackcat]

Odyssey 680. $110 bucks and free delivery. 5-7 years plus or $15.70 per year.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-PC680-Battery-Made-in-the-USA-PC680-/321593336493?hash=item4ae074e2ad:g:kY4AAOSw7NNUICb4&vxp=mtr

[sdcr]

Odyssey 680. $110 bucks and free delivery. 5-7 years plus or $15.70 per year.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-PC680-Battery-Made-in-the-USA-PC680-/321593336493?hash=item4ae074e2ad:g:kY4AAOSw7NNUICb4&vxp=mtr

Yes,  that's the one. I haven't looked at it so long, I forgot the number, a 680.

Thanks!

John

1983 Le Mans III

[Chuck in Indiana]

Odyssey 680. $110 bucks and free delivery. 5-7 years plus or $15.70 per year.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-PC680-Battery-Made-in-the-USA-PC680-/321593336493?hash=item4ae074e2ad:g:kY4AAOSw7NNUICb4&vxp=mtr

I'm also an Odyssey fan. I *hate* lead acid batteries and their attendant acid fumes. Most of the old bikes I've saved have a little to a lot of acid damage. I know you guys can keep a secret  so don't tell the FAA, but I put an Odyssey in my airplane. The stupid $200 FAA approved battery made a mess of the belly and the hanger floor. The $100 Odyssey cranks stronger, and can sit for months without being charged.

[Arizona Wayne]

I'm also an Odyssey fan. I *hate* lead acid batteries and their attendant acid fumes. Most of the old bikes I've saved have a little to a lot of acid damage. I know you guys can keep a secret  so don't tell the FAA, but I put an Odyssey in my airplane. The stupid $200 FAA approved battery made a mess of the belly and the hanger floor. The $100 Odyssey cranks stronger, and can sit for months without being charged.

In 50+ years of using lead acid MC batteries I've never had  an acid issue on my MCs.    Maybe that's because I ride mostly year round?  Maybe you guys over charge them?

[Stevex]

In 50+ years of using lead acid MC batteries I've never had  an acid issue on my MCs.    Maybe that's because I ride mostly year round?  Maybe you guys over charge them?

In 40 years of using lead acid batteries I've never had an acid issue either.

[Dukedesmo]

In 40 years of using lead acid batteries I've never had an acid issue either.

Same here, just shy of 40 yrs and the only issue I've had with a lead acid battery is when I got hit by a VW beetle and it smashed the battery, causing acid to wash through the dry clutch and stain the frame & rear wheel - hardly the battery's fault.

FWIW my LM2 has a 'Banner' lead acid battery which the previous owner fitted just a few days before I bought it and it's been fine so far, although it is a big, heavy battery, almost as big as a car battery... 

[acguzzi]

if it has the original car type starter you need a really good battery, if you have one of the newer geared starters (eg valeo) then not so much

[acogoff]

I'm also an Odyssey fan. I *hate* lead acid batteries and their attendant acid fumes. Most of the old bikes I've saved have a little to a lot of acid damage. I know you guys can keep a secret  so don't tell the FAA, but I put an Odyssey in my airplane. The stupid $200 FAA approved battery made a mess of the belly and the hanger floor. The $100 Odyssey cranks stronger, and can sit for months without being charged.

     Actually there is an STC type approval for the 680, in some Pipers, anyway. The PA-12 I once owned now has a legal one in it and I noticed a cubcrafters PA-18 or what ever it is called had one. Not sure where the paperwork is available though. They work well along with the small geared starter. No experience with the original direct drive one though. The handy part is they can be mounted on there side if need be and they do not gas.

[john fish]

Maybe it's because I only have 30 or so years experience  , but I've seen plenty of acid damage on bikes.  I've been using the Odyssey type, but that Big Crank looks worthwhile.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Maybe it's because I only have 30 or so years experience  , but I've seen plenty of acid damage on bikes. 

Same here. Ever wonder why Loopframe left battery covers are harder to find than rights? Parked on the sidestand, they take the brunt of the acid damage. Battery trays ate away, seat bases rotted. I'll pay a little extra to help prevent all of that.

[Arizona Wayne]

Same here. Ever wonder why Loopframe left battery covers are harder to find than rights? Parked on the sidestand, they take the brunt of the acid damage. Battery trays ate away, seat bases rotted. I'll pay a little extra to help prevent all of that.

So maybe the acid issue is caused by leaving your MC on its sidestand for long periods, something I have never done.  I put them on their centerstand then. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

So maybe the acid issue is caused by leaving your MC on its sidestand for long periods, something I have never done.  I put them on their centerstand then. 

One customer's Cal II had a centerstand that cracked right where acid had dripped onto it from the battery vent hose. Coincidence? 

[NeilD]

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?

ive had a motobatt on my Le Mans 2 for around 4 years now... its a mbtx30, which i think is the same model as i have on my Darmah..

[Chuck in Indiana]

     Actually there is an STC type approval for the 680, in some Pipers, anyway. The PA-12 I once owned now has a legal one in it and I noticed a cubcrafters PA-18 or what ever it is called had one. Not sure where the paperwork is available though. They work well along with the small geared starter. No experience with the original direct drive one though. The handy part is they can be mounted on there side if need be and they do not gas.

Yeah, but not available for a PA 22. IDC, I put a 680 in it anyway, and it cranks the direct drive starter just fine. Adjusted the voltage regulator to 14.1 and it's golden.

[acogoff]

Yeah, but not available for a PA 22. IDC, I put a 680 in it anyway, and it cranks the direct drive starter just fine. Adjusted the voltage regulator to 14.1 and it's golden.

    I see. The tripacers are a prime candidate for the odyssey due to the stupidly placed battery box with the elevator cables running underneath. I remember replacing the up elevator cable twice on the colt I had years ago due to acid boiling out on them. I'll sign off now, don't mean to hijack this thread.

[Guzzistajohn]

I have Odyssey batts in two Tonti bikes. Ran lawn tractor batts for years, they always seem to let you down at the worse time. You get what you pay for.

[Tom]

I wonder why no one has recommended a LiPo battery?

[Arizona Wayne]

One customer's Cal II had a centerstand that cracked right where acid had dripped onto it from the battery vent hose. Coincidence?

Rider mower batteries don't have a vent hose. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Rider mower batteries don't have a vent hose. 

Even worse...

[MikeW]

I'm a fan of MotoBatt's myself.

I've found them great in modern bikes fitted with under sized batteries. I've had one in my Benelli TnT for over five years and it's still going strong. They have good cranking current and  hold their charge well if left sitting for a month or two.

Just fitted one to my LeMans 5 this week. I'd forgotten how big Guzzi batteries were 

Mike

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm a fan of MotoBatt's myself.

I've found them great in modern bikes fitted with under sized batteries. I've had one in my Benelli TnT for over five years and it's still going strong. They have good cranking current and  hold their charge well if left sitting for a month or two.

Just fitted one to my LeMans 5 this week. I'd forgotten how big Guzzi batteries were 

Mike

I'll be putting one in my "Ambovert". With a pump and tank occupying some of the space for the original battery, I need to go smaller with enough power to crank a Cal II engine. Most likely using a gear-reduction starter as well.

[jvb]

 Tom  wrote:
 

I wonder why no one has recommended a LiPo battery ?

I have a 16 Cell Anti Gravity Battery in my T4 which has the same alternator and Bosch starter. Installed 2 years ago and so far so good. I'm very impressed with it and it is a lot easier to remove and store when not in the bike. Simply insulate the terminals and put it in a cupboard.

Down side: More expensive and a bit work need to secure the battery so it doesn't rattle around, but ,  it is smaller and lighter and can be mounted on any side or even upside down.
Mines strapped to the original battery tray with a bit of packing to enable easy replacement with the original sized battery if I have a failure out on the road.

No issues so far and be stored a long time without charging. Mine was manufactured in July and purchased the following March. No problems starting when first connected up 3 months after purchase.

My lead acid batteries last between 1 week    (try to avoid replacing a lead acid battery 1,000km and Bass Straight away from home)  and 2 years    on the Guzzi ( usage ; Long rides then sitting in ( a trickle charger unfriendly  non powered and the standard battery is a bugger to remove due to the weight and tight fitting) shed as it is a lousy commuter - not enough distance to recharge the battery)
 
The original regulator was replaced with a Bosch RE57. You also need the appropriate charger as a lead acid charger is not suitable.

[jas67]

Reviving an old thread here, because my '77 Lemans needs a battery.

I see Odyssey 625 and 680 mentioned in this thread.

The 625 is 220CCA for $125 with free shipping off Amazon
The 680 is 170CCA for $114 with free shipping off Amazon

Unlike some here I'm wiling to the pay the extra $11 (Guzzi content).
Is there any issue with mounting the larger 625 with the stock hardware?

Thanks,
Jay

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Still not a fan of either. I like big batts, I can not lie...  This would be my choice:
https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX30L-Battery.html