How to Charge a 6-Volt Motorcycle Battery

How to Charge a 6-Volt Motorcycle Battery

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Charging a battery on a motorcycle is different from working on your car battery. As a bike sits, the cell loses 1 percent of its charge every day. Because of the special nature of a 6-volt battery, it requires a specific charger, often referred to as a trickle charger. There is more involved in recharging the battery for your bike than just hooking it up to a machine. The process should include full support of the unit, cleaning deposits off the posts, filling the cells and replacing the voltage.

Items you will need

  • Rubber gloves

  • Baking soda

  • Water

  • Rags

  • Distilled water

  • Trickle charger

Remove the battery from your motorcycle. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to the user's guide provide with your bike. If your battery is hot, let it cool before you attempt to take it off the bike.

Put on rubber gloves when you handle the battery. Set the battery in a well-ventilated workspace.

Mix 2 tbsp. baking soda into 2 cups of cool water. Dip a rag into the solution and wipe away any deposits around the battery terminals.

Remove the cell caps on the top of the battery. Fill the cells with distilled water. Dry the top of the battery with a clean, dry towel.

Hook the battery charger up to the battery. Look closely at the charger to identify the positive and negative leads. The battery terminal posts will be marked positive and negative. Follow the instructions provided with the charger.

Hook the battery charger to the battery. Look closely at the charger to identify the positive and negative leads. The battery terminal posts will be marked positive and negative. Follow the instructions provided with the charger.

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