Replacement battery for a Falco.

Message

HowardQ · #1 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:51 pm

There have been many posts on here about Falco battery replacements, generally the answer if get a good quality one or you may end up needing a new starter clutch. Know that to be true and after 23K plus miles and 7 years my original batterty is getting near to replacement time.
Cost doesn’t always give a good indication of quality.
I bought one from Busters a couple of years ago for my old CBR1000F, paid extra (just under 40 quid), for a heavy duty unit as the big old Honda lump also takes some kicking over. It only lasted about two weeks, took it up with Busters but was awkward cos they delivered it dry and I added acid, so no easy way to send it back and Wales was a bit far to take it back.
Anyway had a chat to the bloke in a little local bike shop in Sheffield that been going since the 50’s. He suggested he could get a really good one for just over 20 quid. Thought oh yeh, bet that’s a pile of crap, but thought what the hell I might as well give it a try as sending the other one back would cost aboout the same. Anyway it’s been brilliant. The bike don’t get used much now, as I’m always out on the Falco, but hardly ever needed to charge it and usually starts the old tank up pretty quick once the fuel has run through the carbs.
So can anybody recommend any particular type of battery and or supplier from personal experience?

Cheers …………………… Howard.

Falken · #2 Post by **Falken** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:13 pm

Hi Howard,
My OE battery gave up the ghost after 2 years.
Replaced it with a cheap one from Stealth products and been going strong for the last 5 years now.
This is quite close to you. Don't know what the district is called, but At the Meadowhall turn off north end of Tinsley viaduct, take the exit from the roundabout just before M1 north.
This takes you under the slip road and past the old Shardlow works, go to the end of that road and turn left, as you get to the next junction Stealth is on the right.

I've always found them to be OK.

Firestarter · #3 Post by **Firestarter** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:23 pm

I got one that was recommended by someone, either here or on the "other" forum - IIRC it's an SVR battery, supplied by Tayna. Can't speak for it's lifespan, but it's billed as having a higher cold-cranking amp rating, so it throws the starter with a bit more vigour - it's noticable, too, I've not had that dreaded "crunch" of the starter kicking back on itself since I fitted it, and you can actually here the starter turning quicker once I fitted it.

Not cheap, mind - think it was about £70 when I bought it!

Clicky da linky

HowardQ wrote:usually starts the old tank up pretty quick once the fuel has run through the carbs.

Is your's one of the older, slower black models, which didn't come with fuel injection?

HowardQ · #4 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:17 pm

Firestarter wrote:I got one that was recommended by someone, either here or on the "other" forum - IIRC it's an SVR battery, supplied by Tayna. Can't speak for it's lifespan, but it's billed as having a higher cold-cranking amp rating, so it throws the starter with a bit more vigour - it's noticable, too, I've not had that dreaded "crunch" of the starter kicking back on itself since I fitted it, and you can actually here the starter turning quicker once I fitted it.

Not cheap, mind - think it was about £70 when I bought it!

Clicky da linky

HowardQ wrote:usually starts the old tank up pretty quick once the fuel has run through the carbs.
Is your's one of the older, slower black models, which didn't come with fuel injection?

No that was me still rambling on about the one fitted to my old CBR1000F. That's only half fast, i.e. rear end and lower front is black, rest of it is purple and reddish pink!
Honda did some tasty colour schemes in the mid nineties.
The old tank will still boogey pretty well tho!

Thanks to both of you for the advice, I'll check 'em both out.
The old one aint totally shot yet, but need to give it a trickle charge during the week, usually just over one night to make sure it's OK for when I need it. Then manages OK whilst I'm out on it, but gettin worse and don't want to risk screwing up the sprag clutch miles from home.

sabestian · #5 Post by **sabestian** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:42 pm

I fitted a gelly one. Cranks the Rotax with ease. Still got one dash reset, and it wasn't caused by the low battery. Those dashes are really sensitive.

mellow yellow · #6 Post by **mellow yellow** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:28 am

I fitted an odyssey battery. You can get one that just fits in the falco but you have to ditch the wee clamp that holds the original one in place.

No matter, as the fit is so tight it's not going to move anyway.

I can go weeks (or months) between start ups and it fires up no problem every time.

They are pretty expensive but have a good amp rating which is just what you need to get a V-twin going.

You can have mine for free - if you buy the rest of the bike

HowardQ · #7 Post by **HowardQ** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:11 pm

Funny you should mention Odyssey, been reading up and the latest technology AGM batteries seem to be ideal for bikes like the Falco with a claimed improvement of between 200% and 300% in canking power over a standard lead acid battery and now also hold their charge very well. Odyssey and Tayna, (that Firestarter recommended), are two of the better known names. They ain't cheap but may well be worth the money so think I might try one.

By the way Falken - it looks like Stealth may have closed, I tried their website to get their exact address and seems to be dead. May be just the website!

shootmyscoot · #8 Post by **shootmyscoot** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:55 pm

try my m8 @ rd5 warrington 01925419444

he can sort most bits plus the mac is prila trained

sms

gt.jacko · #9 Post by **gt.jacko** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:06 pm

I,ve been running a mercedes car battery off a late model E class it,s an agm battery 12ah rating even though it,s slightly down on ah it does n,t matter with th agm batteries as cold cranking amps wizz the old rotax over nicely. the merc i,m talking about has two batteries they have a small one under the bonnet. They aint cheap though mine was s/hand as I worked for a merc dealer at the time and got it for nowt but i think they are about 70 quid now. Mines finally died on me but i,s been on bike at least 3yrs and the last yr bike didn,t get used.

HowardQ · #10 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:38 pm

Thanks again folks!

Falcopops · #11 Post by **Falcopops** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:57 pm

shootmyscoot wrote:try my m8 @ rd5 warrington 01925419444

he can sort most bits plus the mac is prila trained

sms

Impressive SMS able to give pointers all the way across the big pond, good on yer.

Alkydale · #12 Post by **Alkydale** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:14 am

Hey HowardQ, what did you buy and how much was it please, as I'm in the same boat now.

HowardQ · #13 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:21 pm

Unfortunately I have not got one yet, been regularly trickle charging and it seems to be doing OK as long as I don't leave it stood too long with the charger off. So I've decided to leave it a bit longer. Had other things on my mind, like getting it tested, (OK again for 4th time with EU headlight!).
Will almost certainly go for one of the AGM batteries I think, although they ain't cheap.