I finally got around to storing all of my small 12v batteries for the winter and the battery in my motorcycle reads 5 volts. Can it be saved? What is the best way to charge it? I really don't want to buy a new one since I only used the battery about twice since I bought it. Damn, I should have learned my lesson by now. Harley's eat batteries. Thanks.

You should get a Harley battery tender.
This from Rocky Mtn HD:
http://www.rmh-d.com/service/winterize.php

Page 785 of the 2008 HD parts & accessories catalog "Security and Maintenance Catalog"lists the Super Smart Battery Tender at 39.95 (94654-98A) with another 7.95 for the terminal connectors( which you can leave permanently attached.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Genuine_Motor_Accessories/GMA_2008_Catalog.jsp?locale=en_US#

Does your bike have an alarm system? Do you keep it on all the time? That will cut into battery charge in cold months.

There are plenty of aftermarket battery tenders that are cheaper than the Harley brand. I bought my Yuasa tender for like $20.
It takes a long time to charge (overnight) but it tends well. I use it on my bike (Harley) and my jetski.
The permanent connectors that come with it are on the bike. The clips that came with it I use on the Jetski.

They can also be purchased at Autozone or Discount Auto.

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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So is a trickle charger the best way to bring back a severely discharged battery, or do I need to zap it with a lot of juice to get it to accept a charge? I thought that tenders just keep them topped off when stored.

Right now I only have a 4 amp charger that makes a lot of noise, so I am in the market for a new one. Will 4 amps kill my battery? I would like to get one that will trickle charge, quick charge, start, etc.. and of course not spend a lot of money

This is all you need. They can be had retail for less than the price listed.

Top off you electrolyte and plug it in.

http://batterytender.com/product_info.php?products_id=4&osCsid=c4a50469062d40f07d1fdf4ce2af8f2f

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Okay, it does sound like a good charger and a good deal.

I have a "Harley" sealed battery, so I don't think that there is any way to add water.

Your '03 Superglide has a sealed battery, yes? My current battery (bought last Feb.) on the Dyna is sealed, and iirc the one that it replaced was sealed. I think it's my fourth battery since I bought it in 97.
Question: is it the original battery. What does "I only used the battery about twice since I bought it" mean? It = the bike? or it = the battery? If your battery is less than say a year old, trickle charging ought to bring it back.

All you need, as Danny, VW any I have said is a battery tender. What kind you buy is your choice. HD or auto zone, it's your choice. It won't overcharge your battery. It comes on and goes off as your battery charge goes down or up after charging or use.
If you keep your bike in a shed or somewhere that lacks electricity, you should remove the battery and perhaps, every couple of weeks or so, put the tender on it to keep it charged. If the bike is stored where power is available, get the terminal connectors and leave the battery in the bike. Simpler that removing the seat every time you need to charge the battery.

FWIW, I keep mine in the garage and have never used a tender before. It's always a slow start in Jan & Feb, but it fires. Even when I don't ride it, I'll fire it up and run it for 5-10 minutes every other week. I did purchased the connectors and am also going to get a tender.
My experience with HD batteries has been positive. I get at least 3 seasons out of mine.
Good luck.

The battery is about two years old and I have probably ridden the bike twice since I bought the battery two years ago (okay, maybe more like five times). I did give the battery a good charge last year and had the bike running this last summer/fall. I was surprised it was at 5 volts though. The battery in my Honda has been sitting in the bike for a good five years and it reads about 12 volts. Not good, but better than 5.

Good information.

I have a vintage MC and a antique Cub Cadet lawn tractor that can/will benefit from these battery tenders. -Thanks

I store my 300SD every winter from mid-November thru April. I occasionally (once a month) plug the tender into it for a few days. The battery was in my car when I bought it and I've had the car for 6 years now.

Battery tenders dramatically increase the life of a battery in a stored vehicle.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

This one has desulphation also:

http://www.vdcelectronics.com/batteryminder_12117.htm

It is a nice feature to have but it probably cannot save a battery once it is as low as yours. Lead batteries don't like that.

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Very cool! And you've got a bunch of MCs in your sig. to keep charged!

My tender gets a workout, that is why it is not on the MB fulltime. I switch it between 2 cars and 3 motorcycles.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I have used my Yuasa to charge fully discharged batteries. Just takes a while. When I need it done fast I take it down the road to Autozone for an hour. They will charge a battery for free. They also sell tenders cheap.

Your Harley battery is a sealed gel battery. You cannot top it off.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
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Update: I ended up getting the Battery Tender Jr. It took a couple of charge cycles, but the battery is now holding at 12.43 volts. One more good, long charge ought to top it off. Thanks.