Harley Davidson Sportster (1959 to 1969). Service manual - page 14

BATTERY

GENERAL

The battery serves as a storage place for current used in starting the motorcycle; to operate accessories v/hen the engine is not running and to provide additonal current, when necessary, over the amount being generated. For a battery to remain in good condition, the current draw must be balanced by a current input. All Harley-Davidson batteries have lead plates and sulphuric acid electrolyte units of capacities suitable for load requirements under intended use.

BATTERY CARE

Prompt and correct battery care determines the life span of the unit. Therefore, for a longer useful life, the battery solution level must be checked at weekly intervals. Add only pure distilled or approved water to recommended level above plates and separators. Be careful not to overfill. Overfilling will result in some of the electrolyte being forced out through cap vent holes, diluting or weakening the solution strength. An overflow of battery solution will cause cables to corrode and motorcycle parts near the battery to be damaged.

Clean battery and terminals when necessary with a baking soda-water solution. Be careful to avoid getting any of the solution into the cap vent holes. When solution stops bubbling, flush off battery with clean water.

Coat terminals with grease or oil felt terminal post washers after wires have been attached to retard corroding.

CHARGING BATTERY

Never allow a battery to stand in a discharged condition. Start charging it at once at the recommended continuous charge rate.

To determine the amount or condition of a battery charge, check solution in each cell with a battery hydrometer. When hydrometer reading is 1.200 or less, battery is considered discharged and should be removed from motorcycle and charged at the following maximum continuous charge rate; using appropriate 6 or 12 volt charger.

12 volt 53 Ampere hour battery - 10 amperes

12 volt 32 Ampere hour battery - 4 amperes

6 volt 51 Ampere hour battery - 3-1/2 amperes

6 volt 22 Ampere hour battery - 1-1/2 amperes

6 volt 10 Ampere hour battery - 1/2 ampere

2-6 volt 8 Ampere hour batteries (Series connected - 12 volts ) - 1/2 Ampere

A higher battery charge rate will heat and damage the battery. For this reason, do not allow the small motorcycle battery to be charged in the same line with large batteries. Hydrometer reading of a fully charged battery in good condition, with full strength electrolyte will be 1.270 or higher.

Hydrogen gas, formed when charging, is explosive. Avoid open flame or electrical spark near battery.

Allowing a battery to remain in a discharged condition will shorten its life. It is important that a battery be kept well charged during below freezing weather.

RECLAIMING SULPHATED BATTERY

If a battery has been allowed to stand in a discharged condition for a period of time, the lead sulphate in the plates will crystalize and not take a charge at normal rates. Such batteries should be charged at half the specified continuous rate for twice the computed time. A longer charging time at a slower rate will many times break down the crystalline structure into active materials and restore the battery.

CHANGING ELECTROLYTE

In normal service with average care, it is never necessary to change electrolyte for the lifetime of the battery. However, if the battery solution is spilled, diluted as a result of careless water addition, or neutralized by the addition of an alkaline substance, the battery solution may be changed and in some cases near full capacity restored.

A weak acid solution may be detected by charging the battery until all cells gas freely and the gravity has not shown a rise for three successive readings taken at hourly intervals. ’’Gassing” is evidenced by a bubbling action in the electrolyte that may be detected by sight or sound. Do not change electrolyte in a battery with one or more cells that fail to gas. Such a condition indicates a structural failure.

Pour solution out of charged battery and fill with water. Charge battery again until maximum specific gravity is reached. Pour out this solution and add prepared battery electrolyte to specified level and charge again for a short length of time for full capacity.

Check specific gravity and add a little water if necessary to bring solution down to desired maximum limits.

The value of changing electrolyte in a fairly old battery is questionable. By tipping over such a battery to drain the solution, the sloughed-off waste materials accumulated by repeated charging and discharging actions might be dislodged from the sediment chambers in the bottom of the battery and deposited in the separators. This material is an electrical conductor and thus may ’’tree” or catch in the separators and cause a short circuit.

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