Greetings all,
I just wanted to pass along a simple message: If you buy a new battery be SURE to check the acid level closely!
I recently bought a new el-cheapo Chinese made battery for my SR650. The counter person did me a 'favor' by filling the battery with acid, told me to allow it to self-charge for at least 4 hours and it should be ready to go.
I did as instructed and installed the battery. Now the bike starts fine but...
During a ride two weeks I suddenly got a strong scent of battery acid. Didn't know at first what the problem was until I got home.
Upon inspection I immediately saw that my new battery had overflowed, spitting acid on my right boot and worse, on my right pipe, ruining the chrome in a half-dozen spots!
I pulled out the battery and looked closely at the acid level, it was completely filled...WAYYYY over the 'Maximum" line. I kicked myself for not checking the level BEFORE I installed the battery!
After draining off the excess acid into a container I could see that the battery had been overfilled by about 12 ounces!
I also replaced and re-routed the overflow tube to ensure any future battery spillover was being directed down to the road, not to the side.
Now everything is OK but I am still pissed that my pipe is spotted. I blame myself, not the kid at the bike shop counter. I should have known better!
Just a word to the wise...
Check your battery level AND overflow tube routing.