1981 Honda CM400 build log

[Daox]

I got the bike out for the year today. However, I noticed that I had not winterized it at all! No drained carbs, battery left in it all winter. Of course the battery is dead.

So, I am looking to replace the battery. My question for you guys is is it worth it to go lithium? Battery Hookup has 8Ah Headway cells for $10 a piece right now. I can simply go with 4 of these and have a battery perfectly capable of starting my bike.

What do you bike owners say? I know some of you have messed around with lithium or capacitors. What have been your results?

[M_a_t_t]

I don't know how universal this statement is, but some of the Kawasaki KZ (of the same era) models have to have the R/R (maybe stator, I don't remember.) updated as well to charge lithium properly. I have not done the switch but some of the owners on the KZ forum have had issues with lithium batteries and getting a modern replacement charging system fixed it.

Edit:
This is the thread I was thinking of.
https://kzrider.com/forum/4-electric...e-this-one-out

[MetroMPG]

Are you the type of rider (I see a lot of these) who keeps taking the bike out for "one last ride" every time the temperature goes above X?

That makes it harder to schedule a few winterizing tasks!

[Daox]

Nope, I don't think I rode much at the end of last year. It must have just slipped my mind.

[M_a_t_t]

I don't usually winterize either of my bikes. The KZ I just put non ethanol gas in and start every so often. So far no issues. The Versys is fuel injected so no draining it. I also tend to ride until it gets pretty cold so it usually only sits for about 3 months or less out of the year.