Battery recommendations?

Hi, this is probably a really basic question but I am pretty ignorant when it comes to electrical stuff. I am moving forward on the resurrection of my 73 850 and need a battery. I have a service manual and have found multiple places that stock replacement batteries. My issue is that I would like to use the smallest, lightest sealed battery I can get away with rather than the stock type. My bike has a boyer ignition and I plan to ride with the headlight on all the time. The charging system is all stock as far as I know. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks, Gabe

Gday Ludwig, please enlighten me. Ive looked at these batteries before and was steared away from them as I was told the charging system/rate was to high on a motorcycle and therefore not suitable? Obviously it works for you. Regards FOXY

I'm thinking about switching to a small one of these:

http://carbon-speed.com/prod.htm

Anybody used 'em?

I have been using something like the panasonic for a couple of years. Originally meant for security systems i think. Great for holding their charge if not used too regularly.
The only criticism i have heard is that with slide on spade connectors a wire can occasionally drop off the battery, but that is not too difficult to protect against.

I had one of those pop off too, I think I used Velcro to hold them in place with a bit of wire whip so there was some flex.

Hello! my 2 cents....

i`ve also got some closed gel battery hidden under my seat.
works fine...nothing negative to report....
this battery is from an alarm system and realy cheap compared to motorcycle batteries....about 10euros or so!

and if you got no electric start you don`t need a "starter" batterie as it is usual on motorcycles.....
starter batteries got other charging characteristics as such cheap normal batteries.

have a nice day,
chris

Well after reading the positves about the sealed batteries, Ive gone and bought a ($16.47 Ozzie)Panasonic 4.0 AH for my 42 Harley. Also lashed out on a new solid state regulator as the wet battery used to bubble at times and dribble acid on my Cadmium plated gearbox cover. Not only did this leave ugly spots also gave of Cyanide gas as this is what happens when Sulphuric acid comes in contact with cadmium!
Foxy

I use the same type battery as Ludwig, bought it 2nd hand from an autojumble for £1, its been sat in the victor all Winter uncharged in temps down to minus 12C, turned on the ignition last week, kicked the bike over and it fired up with the battery charge LED changing from red to green in a second. It stayed green then for my first ride of the spring.