Waiting for recovery.....

austin said:
Still not sorted.:(

Motobatt battery arrived today. 1st prod and the bike started :thumbsupanim:. Switch off, try again and its very sluggish and a non-starter. :( Motobatt still showing 12.7 volts, so now convinced its the starter and as I have stripped, cleaned and reassembled about 4 times its clearly broken beyond my capabilities now. Two eBay sellers do the Arrowhead starter but neither have any actually in stock. So started ringing around including a local autoelectrical firm who are very helpful and say what I have got could be refurb'd but cant say how much or how long it would take until they get into it and understand the components and if its not standard stuff from the car world it could be 1-2 weeks while they source the parts. But they could get me a pattern part which turned out to be an Arrowhead for a little bit more than the eBay sellers, and it would be delivered next day. So, hopefully that will turn up bright and early and I get it fitted and relax again.

On the Motobatt, after hearing only good things about them I am more than a little disappointed initially. I ordered the model recommended on the Motobatt website (MBTX9U), but compared to the Yuasa I took off its physically smaller so a bad fit in the battery box which makes getting the cables on difficult, especially as I am fitting extra HD cables to wire the starter direct to the battery. And, although it has two pairs of terminals it only comes with 1 pair of posts which kinda defeats the point of the extra terminals. I spent ages rooting around my box of old/spare bolts looking for something that would fit in the extra two terminals so I could wire in my auxiliary power stuff. Done now anyway and fortunately the bikes battery strap has some flexibility so it still holds it down. Finally, the spec of the battery seems to be down the Yuasa equivalent: the Motobatt is 10.5Ah and 160CCA. The Yuasa was a YTZ14S was 11.5Ah and 200CCA. I understand the Motobatt has some different tech going on and I understand somehow or other gives more "oomph" but I will forever have my doubts.
Click to expand...
 
Austin,
I have been following this thread as every day is a school day !
When you say one pair of posts but two sets of terminals I don't understand, could you explain/post a PIC, please.

I presume that you were anticipating two pairs of posts.
 
Flyfifer said:
Austin,
I have been following this thread as every day is a school day !
When you say one pair of posts but two sets of terminals I don't understand, could you explain/post a PIC, please.

I presume that you were anticipating two pairs of posts.
Click to expand...

One of the special features of Motobatt batteries is that they have two pairs of terminals, ie two positive and two negative terminals presented as a threaded socket in each corner of the battery (look at the battery from the top and there are two +ve on one short side and two -ve on the other). However Instead of a lead post for the terminal as on a normal battery, they provide two brass posts that you screw into the sockets at each corner as required by your bike.

The two unused corners can still be used to attach accessory cables but as there is no post or extra screw supplied I needed to find a very short, clean and shiny M6 bolt with a big round head to screw into the terminal.

Do a google image search. You will get the idea.


New starter motor arrived late today and will be fitted tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.
 
Mostly sorted. Hurrah.

New starter motor is slightly longer than the original but with a bit more wiggle and a slightly different angle of attack it went in.

The Motobatt is deffo the wrong spec as it won't turn the new starter motor. Old battery does it great. A nice fast confident spin even with the extra cables removed.

I am now in dialogue with Motobatt in the USA and the UK importer as I ordered the recommended part and M&P are not surprisinly loathe to take back a battery that's been fitted (so used in their eyes) and is the part I ordered. Hopefully I will get my money back from one of three parties.

Anyone want to buy a little used Motobatt MBTX9U?
 
Interesting thread to see. Glad you're getting there @austin .
I remember starter problems with my 1150 many years ago.
Will look out for problems with mine in the future.

I thought Odyssey batteries were meant to be the db's for gs's as they have extra cranking power.
 
Odyssey Batteries.......yes, but I was being a cheapskate when I saw the recommended battery for my bike for £45. To good to be true I thought.......and it was :(

Anyway I reckon throwing a high output battery on masks the real problem that is a failing starter motor.
 
So, I suppose I ought to give recognition to High Line (UK distributors of many motorcycle accessories) today as a replacement battery of the right spec arrived unexpectedly in the post today. No invoice no charge no letter, other than the parcel tape that says high line on it. Obviously my email to the MDs of High Line and to Motobatt in the USA paid off. Happy bunny now and it's fitted and turns the engine over like a good 'un.

But, I did need to use the height spacer from the under-spec battery so I can't return that for a refund The Motobatt MTBX9U. Is therefore for sale. Virtually unused. If you think it will fit your bike make me an offer. It was £44.99 from M&P so bearing that in mind and without the spacer you could have a bargain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top