Best battery to fit a MKIII?

Status
Not open for further replies.
jimbo

jimbo

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
1,927
Country flag
What's the best battery to fit a MKIII with the standard MKIII( small) battery tray using the E start?
 
I would fit the highest capacity AGM battery that will fit the space.

Motobatt make an amazing variety of AGM batteries and one of them will be the right size.
 
As above, but the selection is getting less, Yuasa now seem to only list the high capacity sealed battery without vent pipe. The lower capacity battery is not so commonly seen and most probably NOS from the battery dealers. The Yuasa and Motobatt look very similar, not surprising as both are Made in USA. Skywing or similar sounding name do the Lithium, but having had one in my hand last week it felt like an empty case. Still not convinced about them for motorcycles.
 

Attachments

  • Best battery to fit a MKIII?
    IMG_0034.JPG
    122.3 KB · Views: 2,725
I've been using an Ever Start ES14BS from WalMart in my MKIII for the last 2 years. Works fine. Spins up the Dyno Dave starter like a turbine. I used a Shorai LFX21LS-BS12 for a while, but it died just after the warranty expired. At that time the warranty was only for 2 years, so the price at $200 + was pretty steep for so short a time. Shorai now warranties them for 5 years, so I might consider one next time I need a battery.

Ken
 
My first MKIII battery was the wet cell yuasa yumicron YB14L-A2 only lasted 5 years :mrgreen: ...
Now I have the yuasa AGM YTX14AHL-BS, comes dry with acid pack... on it's second year.
summit racing says they sell both $46.97 or $77.97 YRMV
 
Thanks for the info, I might try this PC625 Odyssey battery, I was looking to get a high powered sealed bat of some sort, without going to a Shoari type Lithium . Next I have to find the parts to do a 4 brush starter upgrade . I don't really want to spend money on a new starter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-Battery ... dC&vxp=mtr
 
jimbo said:
Thanks for the info, I might try this PC625 Odyssey battery, I was looking to get a high powered sealed bat of some sort, without going to a Shoari type Lithium . Next I have to find the parts to do a 4 brush starter upgrade. I don't really want to spend money on a new starter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-Battery ... dC&vxp=mtr
Click to expand...

:roll:

My starter is aimed at people with a crappy prestolite armature or no starter at all. To me the prestolite 4 brush conversion is not great.
In 2004, I specifically designed my starter for a friend who sent his starter out for a "professional" prestolite 4 brush conversion that came back "rebuilt and converted" and was still crappy in our joint opinion.

My first YB14L-A2 battery was used on a good 2 brush starter that is being well serviced. Worked fine as long as the battery was kept up to voltage. With the 21t sprocket (head light on...) the engine did not always run fast enough, long enough, to keep the battery charged. Any battery no matter how big will eventually run out of poop under those conditions. If you have a good 2 brush, with a good armature, then the money is better spent on a upgraded charging system. I had done some testing and found the OEM yuasa yumicron YB14L-A2 would start the bike as well as a regular commando battery 12N9-4B, as well as the tiny atlas battery CB5L-B...as long as they were charged. :idea:

MKIII
combat
atlas
Model 7 (6v)
:mrgreen:
 
dynodave said:
jimbo said:
Thanks for the info, I might try this PC625 Odyssey battery, I was looking to get a high powered sealed bat of some sort, without going to a Shoari type Lithium . Next I have to find the parts to do a 4 brush starter upgrade. I don't really want to spend money on a new starter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-Battery ... dC&vxp=mtr
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

:roll:



If you have a good 2 brush, with a good armature, then the money is better spent on a upgraded charging systsfem.

+1 on Dave's comment. I did systematic upgrades on my charging/starting system. Not so much to be scientific but more to be budget conscious. I was using the recommended Yuasa battery and could never depend on the starter to work 100%. I upgraded to a Lucas 3 phase/Podtronics system. That helped the battery a little (I always ride with lights on). I then upgrades to 6 gauge wires I made out of Marine grade battery cable. That helped the starter a little. I replaced all bulbs with LED's and junked the can assimilation for a solid state unit. That also helped. Then I installed the PC 625 and I have trouble free starting. I usually start the bike by foot the first start of the day. Yesterday it was 30 degrees in the garage and the bike was on the lift, I tickled the carbs and hit the button the bike fired right up. I did all these changes over a couple of years and I can't say which one did the most to improve the starting, but I think they all work together. I.e. I don't think tha standard charging system will work good with that battery, I doubt that a strong battery will work well with stock cables, etc
The starter is a two brush unit that has been taken apart, cleaned and lubed and new brushes installed. Some day I might have ball bearings installed or possibly upgrade to a better starter if I have issues, but the basics are in place.

Good luck,
Pete

P.S. Be aware that you will have to do some fettling to get that PC 625 to fit and inprovise on a battery bracket.
 
BTW , my ole MKIII has the four brush, four field coil starter upgrade, heavy wires , an RM24 alternator, a preMKIII battery box and a 310 CCA - 18 AH battery. I have no kick starter or kick start shaft, it got in the way, and you gotta save weight you know :mrgreen: . Works good.However I am starting to work on another MKIII on a budget and was wondering if there was anything new out there..... cheap :?
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/Prod ... otorCycles).aspx?dsNavigation=N%7e38-4282938577-4282937403&Title=Cycle-Tron+II+High+Performance+-+310+CCA+-+18+AH
 

Attachments

  • Best battery to fit a MKIII?
    DSC05082 no kicker.jpg
    72.7 KB · Views: 2,005
I'm using a Duracell DURAGM-15L. Since I know Duracell doesn't make it, I looked it up. Here's what I found on batterylookup.com:

Duracell Ultra DURAGM-15L-US Sealed AGM Power Sport Battery Replacements
The Duracell Ultra DURAGM-15L-US distributed by Batteries Plus is a Sealed AGM motorcycle and small engine battery. Sealed AGM batteries come fully charged and ready to use directly from the factory. There is no need to add electrolyte or worry about acid eating away at your chrome. This type of battery can be placed into service on its side, is highly resistant to damage caused by vibration and resists freezing.

The DURAGM-15L-US battery comes with a 6 Mo. free replacement manufacturer warranty. It has 220 cold cranking amps (CCA) and its rated capacity is 14 amp hours (AH). This is a 12V battery. Some of the competing brands for this part number include: UTX14AHL,MBTX14AU,UTX14AHL-BS,YTX14AHL,ETX15L.

One of the East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. factories in Lyon Station, PA or Corydon, IA makes the DURAGM-15L-US line of batteries. They are the world's largest and most modern battery manufacturer with over 2 million square feet under roof. Many of the top automotive retail names including Advanced Auto have put their trust in East Penn to manufacture their high performance battery line. The original equipment (OE) battery found in many power sport vehicles that most closely relates to this one is the Yuasa YTX14AHL.

I've got a couple of years on it now and it's working well. Bike has Dyno Dave starter and, importantly, a 3 phase alternator system.
 
I'm in the Yuasa camp with the latest YTX14AHL-BS and as for a starter, try British Classic Motorbikes in Bristol, UK, they do starters for £220 plus the VAT and boy, do they work a treat - just make sure your bike is in neutral when you hit the button!
 
Where can I get a brush holder and brushes for the starter?
 
I have a four brush conversion on the original starter. In combination with an AGM battery it will spin the engine over all day.

I was told by Mick Hemmings (who did mine 25 years ago) that the parts are no longer available to do the conversion. But they may be available again by now, who knows.

I find Odyssey or WestCo both do long lived AGM batteries, although I had a supplier send me a duff one. They sent a replacement that worked and then when I went to buy one for another bike, they'd blocked my account.... their loss I guess.. The Westco part is CTX14AHL (FA) replacing CB14L-A1/A2/B2 and 12N14-3A/3B
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top