R&R battery

[eddielo]

Ok guys, I know this has been discussed but I went all over the forum and just could not find a similar thread. I even went online, and youtube, NOTHING!
It's very simple. I just need to know how to access the battery on the bike so I can replace it with a new one I just bought.
That's it.
Thanks for any help
EL
1980 XS1100

[TopCatGr58]

Take seat off, Then left side cover. Then remove the keeper bar, then you can remove the battery connections, and slide the battery out the left side.

T.C

[MPittma100]

Battery

Remove the seat and left side cover. Battery comes out on the left side. Seat has two well (long) nuts on the underside near the top of the rear shocks. Loosen both nuts and slide them out of their slots while pulling seat up and off. Left side cover uses ignition key to unlock the latch for the cover.

[TopCatGr58]

PS, if it's a standard lead acid battery, be sure to top off the CHARGE by putting it on a trickle charge overnight to ensure it's fully charged...the on the shelf dry charge is not all it can hold, and the instructions will tell you to add the electrolyte, and then CHARGE IT before putting in use to be able to get the FULL depth of power it can create.

T.C.

[Schming]

Hold on !!!!

Not sure if you're aware, but before you try to remove the left LOCKING sidecover to access the battery there is a key slot slightly behind the bottom area of the sidecover, facing towards the front of the bike that accepts the ignition key to unlock the cover.

Many have tried to remove the cover unaware of this lock and ended up with a broken cover.

Oops Mike already covered this point.

[MaximPhil]

Not sure if you're aware, but before you try to remove the left LOCKING sidecover to access the battery there is a key slot slightly behind the bottom area of the sidecover, facing towards the front of the bike that accepts the ignition key to unlock the cover.

Many have tried to remove the cover unaware of this lock and ended up with a broken cover.

Oops Mike already covered this point.

FYI Ignition key only goes in about half way so be very gentle with it.
A shot of WD40 or Lock lubricant ,if you have it, as it sounds as though you are waking an XS from a long winters nap or years of storage.
You will need to disconnect wires from battery while still in place as not enough slack to pull out.
Battery sits in a tray which will slide out but not attached so hold battery.
The second time is easy
Phil

[skids]

One thing I didn't see...remove the negative terminal first. Prevents sparks.

[MaximPhil]

One thing I didn't see...remove the negative terminal first. Prevents sparks.

Thanks Skids I forgot to mention that.
Phil

[TADracer]

manual....if ya have an 11 ya need a manual!

[dbeardslee]

Just an FYI - when you remove the side cover make sure you use the key to unlock it. Lots of folks have torn up those side covers by just grabbing them and forcing them off. JAT

After re-reading the thread I see this was already mentioned. Just consider it a message from the Department of Redundancy Department.

[DiverRay]

And NOBODY said anything about the hold down and screw?? It is a sheet metal bar from the lower right to the upper left, as you look at the battery. Pull the screw off the top, tilt out, and unhook the bottom off the battery tray. The battery can now be pulled out IF you have both terminals unbolted.

[dbeardslee]

Speaking of battery stuff - if you've got chewed up boots on your cables (as many do) you can replace them by modifying a couple automotive distributor wire boots. Works real well. This thread shows how - skip down to post #15 for the skinny - Battery terminal boot fix

[MaximPhil]

And NOBODY said anything about the hold down and screw?? It is a sheet metal bar from the lower right to the upper left, as you look at the battery. Pull the screw off the top, tilt out, and unhook the bottom off the battery tray. The battery can now be pulled out IF you have both terminals unbolted.

Hi Ray,
I did not mention the hold down bar...for the simple reason:
I do not have one and have never seen one either
Phil

[Rasputin]

Hi Ray,
I did not mention the hold down bar...for the simple reason:
I do not have one and have never seen one either
Phil

I dunno but all of my bikes have it in place. Seems like an important part to keep from bouncing a battery when one does not want it too.

[motoman]

Hi Ray,
I did not mention the hold down bar...for the simple reason:
I do not have one and have never seen one either
Phil

Need to find ya' one........a battery not held stationary reduces it longgivity........reason being, it movement causes material to flake off cell plates accumilatig in bottom of battery. This build-up reaches battery plates and shorts out the current flow of that particular cell, or several of the cells as build-up in bottom of battery reaches the cell pates. Just an FYI.