T160 side panel fit

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I’m doing some general tidying up and replacing perished rubbers and so on. A new battery rubber base to complement the new Yuasa LB16 battery, rubbers on the side panel and a small one where the plastic screw thing locates. Then a bit of a tidy up of the wiring. All looks good.

Except, try as I might, the side panel will not go in far enough to allow the plastic screw thing to go down. I have had it all apart and back together, and generally I know what I’m doing. But now I’m stumped.

The side panel was loosely fixed with a bodged bolt and no rubbers, so it appeared to be OK.

Clearly there’s not a lot of room in under there, but I don’t want to get worked up at the moment. Is there likely to be something obvious I’ve missed? The battery is located nicely in the rubber mat with space around it, but is the battery too large?
 
The battery is located nicely in the rubber mat with space around it, but is the battery too large?


It could be too tall but that shouldn't be difficult to check.

Edit: A Yuasa (YB?)16 is 155mm high so would be too tall (I can't find an actual Yuasa LB16).

The only LB16 I can find is a Chinese Leoch that has the same dimensions as YB16 (175x100x155mm).
 
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I’m sorry, I really, really need to proof read what tripe I write :mad:

it is a YB16L-B 19ah.

155 tall x 100 wide and 170 long +10-ish if you add the breather. And it is just too tall. Oh buggerit!
If I can work up the energy I will install it to check only without the base rubber.

What is the current (;)) actual recommended battery these days?
 
155 tall x 100 wide and 170 long +10-ish if you add the breather. And it is just too tall. Oh buggerit!
If I can work up the energy I will install it to check only without the base rubber.

A PO cut a chunk (including the threaded lug) out of my T160's side panel (although I have a spare)! :)
T160 side panel fit


What is the current (;)) actual recommended battery these days?
Motorbatt MBTX12U is a popular choice (although I haven't actually used one myself) although physically smaller it is 200CCA. The bottom spacer isn't required.
 
Clearly it’s the height that’s the issue, and this time it’s not the idiot fitting it. Without the rubber mat it will just fit, but I’m not happy to do that. I then realised I’ve got a new other battery in my stores I got for a Thunderace, sadly although the dimensions are near enough it’s reverse polarity and not useable :mad:
 
I then realised I’ve got a new other battery in my stores I got for a Thunderace, sadly although the dimensions are near enough it’s reverse polarity and not useable

I assume you mean the - and + terminals are reversed?
If so then the battery can be fitted with the terminals to the rear if the cables won't reach with the terminals to the front although the engine/frame end of the positive cable can be repositioned to the right-hand (or left-hand) side of the bike if necessary (its location changed a few times during T160 production) or new cables made up (I make my own and heavier cables are a worthwhile mod.) as long as the negative terminal is kept clear of the frame, panel, etc.
 
It’s something to consider, although the other battery is only 14ah I think.

when I was working, and selling batteries, we’d always call them reverse polarity. Or reversed pillars. I’m trying to recall if I’d used that one in the Commando before I put a Shorai Lithium in it to go with the CNW starter, so maybe I still have another new-ish battery elsewhere in the garage? o_O

note to self - tidy up the garage!
 
I may have to put this all in the back burner for now, my wife has just been called into hospital for an operation on Wednesday and needs to be corona tested tomorrow. Interesting, I now need to get transport for her because I’m on a health enforced driving ban until next week.
 
It’s something to consider, although the other battery is only 14ah I think.

CCA is more important.
14AH is about what the original (Lucas MCZ/9-8) battery would have been but a physically smaller modern battery with a higher CCA should be more than adequate for a standard engine. A Dave Madigan starter motor (from LPW etc. when available?) is more efficient (and powerful) so makes better use of the available cranking amps.
 
Well I’ve managed to fit it. Clearly the height of the battery along with a new rubber mat has been the hindrance all along. Ideally the battery could be less tall, 145-150mm rather than 155mm. I’ll consider changing it once I find a suitable alternative. The Motobatt appears to have the same height but ideally I’d compare like with like, side by side, rather than go by manufacturers dimensions.

On to the next issue………..
 
Clearly the height of the battery along with a new rubber mat has been the hindrance all along. Ideally the battery could be less tall, 145-150mm rather than 155mm.

MBTX12U is 130mm tall without the (14mm) spacer.
"Height inc. terms 130 mm"

 
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I decided to remove the large Yuasa battery totally. What I’ve fitted is a Shorai Lithium battery, it’s barely half the size and yet has greater CCA for better cranking. Indeed I’ve had to pack it slightly to make it fit the available space better. At least the outer cover now fits nice and easy.
 
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