Expresso Juice

I have always been a fan of small, dry cell batteries. I use them on all my bikes. They can be easily hidden, placed in any position, and in a small package, their cranking power is double that of most standard wet acid batteries. They start big motors when the appropriate starter is used. Most times, I use small Odyssey batteries with 500 CCA and measuring only 6.69 inches long by 7.05 inches wide and 5.04 inches high..

The frame kit that we sell includes a battery bottom plate bolted to the swingarm, and a top cover with slots to make the battery connections accessible. Rubber or metallic straps are enough to hold the battery securely in place inside the swingarm. But the battery still remains visible. Customizing is about hiding what doesn't deserve to be seen. So, I must make this battery "disappear" as much as possible. I want to conceive a simple system that the motorcycle dealer or individual builder in his garage could easily fabricate.

It doesn't take more than five minutes to agree with the boys on the kind of battery box to fabricate. Sean volunteers to make it and is already busy measuring the battery again to cut the six steel plates to be used to conceal it from view.

It's very simple. Instead of using the base plate provided with the frame, the entire box will be bolted to the swingarm. A box is fabricated in such a way that it slides forward. Two small, flat screws will hold it in place. The front plate is conceived in such a way that the connections are not visible. Two holes are made for the battery cables to exit the box. A battery must be charged from time to time, but we don't need access to the connections to do it. We will charge directly at the starter, which is easier and faster than unbolting the box.

Suddenly I realize that the box must stand perfectly vertical to the ground when the swingarm is in its definitive position with the engine, transmission and primary installed. It means that the portion of the swingarm where the battery box sits must be adjusted to correct the swingarm angle when the bike is on its weight. We postpone this job until we set up the definitive geometry of the frame, which is our next step. We just prime the battery box to keep it rust free.

To Be Continued....................

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