GS450 battery sizing?

[ndaugbjerg]

GS450 Owners,
Bike Bandit is running a sale on TRU-Gel batterries. I'm not sure what size (Ah) will do the job? If any of you are running a gel battery, what size do you have. Physical size doesn't matter because I'm laying it down under the tail. I have an '81 GS450EZ and I suspect 8Ah will work but I'd like to have the benefit of your experience. Thanks.
Niels

[pete]

Hey Niels, I'm just running a normal acid battery, but find the AH rating of a YB10AL and that should get you on the right track, and don't forget the CCA rating as well!

Pretty sure there is a very small Shorai that will do the trick as well but it ain't cheap...

[ndaugbjerg]

Pete,
Thanks. Good to hear from you. I think you're right on the 10Ah size. I'm going with a gel cell for a number of reasons but primarily because it works as well upside down as right side up ( no Aussie joke this morning, but tempted ). I'm planning to hang the rectifier etc. under the seat between the frame rails and put the battery and a small, hard wired charger under the tail. Battery Tender makes a small waterproof unit that's perfect for PWC's and bikes. Keepinga battery charged is a lot like maintenance; The easier it is to get at, the more likely it is to get done. I'm still working on getting pics up but have been busy at the office. I'm building a spray booth today and looking fwd. to shooting some paint. The frame is in primer and the front end pieces are not too far from assembly. The wheels are an hour from paint and then I can get the new rubber on. Once I have a rolling chassis it will all start coming together. I can't thank all of you guys enough. Without the forum, I'd be nowhere this far along. I don't care how long you've been doing this sort of thing, starting a project on an unfamiliar machine is a challenge. You guys have made all my mistakes for me! If I've learned nothing else in 50+ yrs., it's that it doesn't have to be my idea to be a good idea. I wonder how many good projects have gone unfinished because someone was embarrassed to ask a "stupid" question. I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had learned, early on, that there are only stupid answers. OK, enough philosophy and back to the wrenching.
Niels

[koolaid_kid]

Are you aware that the gel format is old technology? AGM is newer and IMHO better because it has all the good things about a gel, plus it comes fully charged, just take it out of the box and install it. Dealer's choice, of course.

[pete]

Niels, can't wait to see her all done, sounding good

KK, good call, I have heard many good things on the AGM's...

[ndaugbjerg]

KK,
No, I was not aware of that, but I didn't order the gel battery so it's back to the research dept. Thank's for the heads up. As I said in my post; It doesn't have to be my idea to be a good idea.
Thanks again,
Niels

[ndaugbjerg]

Pete,
Had great plans this morning but decided to replace all the motor mounts on Barb's Altima. 2-3 hrs. and no sweat, right? What an all day pain in the arse that turned in to. You'd think I'd know better. I did manage to measure the center distance on the stock sprockets (16/45) and my new 17/43's. No more than 4mm; easily in the range of the adjusters. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while!
Niels

[pete]

Pete,
Had great plans this morning but decided to replace all the motor mounts on Barb's Altima. 2-3 hrs. and no sweat, right? What an all day pain in the arse that turned in to. You'd think I'd know better. I did manage to measure the center distance on the stock sprockets (16/45) and my new 17/43's. No more than 4mm; easily in the range of the adjusters. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while!
Niels

Hahaha yeah I have those days... just when you think you've got it licked, have done it before, and know what you're doing blind folded... there comes that one straight out of left field and blows your plans sky high...

[herostar]

Did you pick one out?

My battery got fried in the fall due to over-charging (forgot to set the charger to motorcycle...) and I'm in the market for a new one.

Anybody have suggestions for a battery that fits in the stock location?

I'd prefer not to buy one at walmart, but I'm heading there to pick up oil later this week and it would save me a trip/shipping...