Charging my battery

[fastbob]

Thanks. Well I wanted to go get it all checked over....I've got an oil leak too so wanted it fixing at the same time (my drive looks awful) I have seen batteries on ebay actually, just wanted to see if I could get a few days out of it, pay someone to do it (while I will watch and learn) then get this oil sorted too.

I'm totally new to the whole thing but extremely keen to learn.

You have been given the correct advice, get a new battery. If you ride around with a knackered battery you could fry your rectifier / regulator which will cost you more money. And please don't pay anybody to fit a battery even if they do let you watch . All you do is un bolt the leads and swap batteries then put the leads back on .

There's a receipt with my bike where someone paid £60 for a battery and an additional £60 for fitting it.

I've bought bikes for less than that !

[Speedy23]

Thanks. Well I wanted to go get it all checked over....I've got an oil leak too so wanted it fixing at the same time (my drive looks awful) I have seen batteries on ebay actually, just wanted to see if I could get a few days out of it, pay someone to do it (while I will watch and learn) then get this oil sorted too.

I'm totally new to the whole thing but extremely keen to learn.

You have been given the correct advice, get a new battery. If you ride around with a knackered battery you could fry your rectifier / regulator which will cost you more money. And please don't pay anybody to fit a battery even if they do let you watch . All you do is un bolt the leads and swap batteries then put the leads back on .

There's a receipt with my bike where someone paid £60 for a battery and an additional £60 for fitting it.

It wasn't C. U. Cummins and Sons Motorcycle Dealers to the Terminally Stupid, was it?

[fastbob]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't Halfords fit a battery for free ? ( maybe they don't touch motorbikes )

[Mr Fro]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't Halfords fit a battery for free ? ( maybe they don't touch motorbikes )

No.

[fastbob]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't Halfords fit a battery for free ? ( maybe they don't touch motorbikes )

No.

Yeah I thought so , never mind.

[Westbeef]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't Halfords fit a battery for free ? ( maybe they don't touch motorbikes )

I would like to think any reputable/decent garage would stick a battery on for free if you'd bought it from them though. £60 is properly taking the piss.

[fastbob]

I don't know for sure but wouldn't Halfords fit a battery for free ? ( maybe they don't touch motorbikes )

I would like to think any reputable/decent garage would stick a battery on for free if you'd bought it from them though. £60 is properly taking the piss.

When I worked in a bike shop I would fit batteries for free just for something to do . Occasionally I would get a tip which meant a free lunch

[Mr Fro]

When I worked in a bike shop I would fit batteries for free just for something to do . Occasionally I would get a tip which meant a free lunch

What was that on Bob?

My zx6r is a pain in the testicles - side panels off, seat off, petrol tank off (propped up at a minimum), frame brace off and then finally the battery is accessible. It's probably best part of 1/2 hour all in and there's an awful lot of plastic clips and semi-rigid fuel pipe to knacker in the process - not to mention dropping the tank.

No chance I'd offer it as a free service.

FYI - when I ran Halfords stores (prob about 5 years worth) the battery fitting "course" was half a morning of some bloke showing how it is done in a car park (on an easy car too).

Now, I ran a few stores and in each one I had to foot hefty repair bills when one of the "qualified fitters" guffed it up by: not using a memory saver on a rover (ecu recode), failing to secure the battery clamp or terminals (smashy-smashy, sparky-sparky), or the trusted favorite - putting it on the wrong way round.

In a garage you pay for their expertise, in Halfords you pay for the insurance against a f**k up.

[Westbeef]

When I worked in a bike shop I would fit batteries for free just for something to do . Occasionally I would get a tip which meant a free lunch

What was that on Bob?

My zx6r is a pain in the testicles - side panels off, seat off, petrol tank off (propped up at a minimum), frame brace off and then finally the battery is accessible. It's probably best part of 1/2 hour all in and there's an awful lot of plastic clips and semi-rigid fuel pipe to knacker in the process - not to mention dropping the tank.

No chance I'd offer it as a free service.

FYI - when I ran Halfords stores (prob about 5 years worth) the battery fitting "course" was half a morning of some bloke showing how it is done in a car park (on an easy car too).

Now, I ran a few stores and in each one I had to foot hefty repair bills when one of the "qualified fitters" guffed it up by: not using a memory saver on a rover (ecu recode), failing to secure the battery clamp or terminals (smashy-smashy, sparky-sparky), or the trusted favorite - putting it on the wrong way round.

In a garage you pay for their expertise, in Halfords you pay for the insurance against a f**k up.

On mine it's seat off and you're at the battery. Literally a 10 minute job for someone with 0 mechanical knowledge or skill. Charging £60 for mine was a total insult to whoever paid for it.

[fastbob]

When I worked in a bike shop I would fit batteries for free just for something to do . Occasionally I would get a tip which meant a free lunch

What was that on Bob?

My zx6r is a pain in the testicles - side panels off, seat off, petrol tank off (propped up at a minimum), frame brace off and then finally the battery is accessible. It's probably best part of 1/2 hour all in and there's an awful lot of plastic clips and semi-rigid fuel pipe to knacker in the process - not to mention dropping the tank.

No chance I'd offer it as a free service.

FYI - when I ran Halfords stores (prob about 5 years worth) the battery fitting "course" was half a morning of some bloke showing how it is done in a car park (on an easy car too).

Now, I ran a few stores and in each one I had to foot hefty repair bills when one of the "qualified fitters" guffed it up by: not using a memory saver on a rover (ecu recode), failing to secure the battery clamp or terminals (smashy-smashy, sparky-sparky), or the trusted favorite - putting it on the wrong way round.

In a garage you pay for their expertise, in Halfords you pay for the insurance against a f**k up.

What bikes ? No idea it was years ago . Your bike sounds well complicated. On my GSXR its just seat off , undo terminals , remove the rubber strap and lift out . I don't remember any being difficult. I used to fit screens , engine bars , huggers , grips , anything easy . Better than trying to sell Arai helmets to people who start with " what's your cheapest helmet " or knob heads trying to get refunds on Sidi boots that squeak . A favourite dinner money earner was to quickly run ally and stainless parts over the polishing wheels for a bright finish . I don't think people realise how easy it is to polish stainless steel to a lasting chrome like shine .