With the proper care and charging a motorcycle battery should last a long time.
Motorcycle batteries perform the same function as automobile batteries except that they have smaller dimensions and can be located in areas that make them difficult to remove. Motorcycle batteries require inspection and maintenance just like any battery. The average bike owner can inspect, service and charge motorcycle batteries.
Instructions
1. Locate the battery. It may be in a side kick panel or case, or under the seat. Remove the negative and positive battery cables. Unbolt the battery casing mounting bolts or retainer clips and take the battery out. Clean the battery box of all dirt and acid crust-residue with some soap and water. Clean the casing.
2. Check the battery acid level by looking through the clear outer plastic casing or pulling the battery caps off. The level should be just below the inner neck of the cap hole. Fill the battery cell levels to the indicated top level with distilled or deionized water (don't use tap water). Wipe away access.
3. Obtain a motorcycle battery charger if possible. Many large car battery chargers can be inappropriate for charging smaller motorcycle batteries, since their medium and high settings can deliver too much amperage, or a mistake can be made with too much charge too soon. Find a smaller charger that has sensors for automatic variable charge, so the battery will receive a constant but safe charging load. Use a battery charger that has a screen display that shows volts and charging status.
4. Set the battery on a sheet of cardboard and not a bare floor. Make sure the area has good ventilation. Use gloves and a particle mask. Make sure the charger settings are in the "Off" position. Plug the charger power cord into a household 110-120 outlet. Connect the charger leads to the battery--red wire to red (+) battery post and the black wire to the negative (-) battery post. Refer to the directions or your owner's manual for the proper amperage and time settings. If in doubt, set the amp rating for 2 amps and set the timer for two hours. Make note of the indicator window on the charger; it will have a gauge that shows the amount of charge. When it reaches the "green" scale the battery has reached a full charge.
5. Use a battery hydrometer (with colored scale) to check the condition of each cell after the battery has been charged. You want all green readings. Use a voltmeter to check the standing voltage. Connect the voltmeter wires, black to negative and red to positive. You should have a reading higher than 12.5 volts. Clean the battery posts and cable eyelets with a small wire brush. Reinstall the battery.
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