Cranking Question

[Snorebaby]

Can I use a car battery to crank my rebel without any harm to the electronics? I want to basically just turn over the engine to get all the parts moving after such a long storage and not crank and run for any length of time as I still have not re-installed the gas tank.

My financial advisor has advised me that I am over my limit this pay period due to the fact that I have purchased a new RH Exhaust for my Rebel (now looking for the LH side) and I can't get a battery right now :( The old line of :shock: "But, look how much money I saved!" :shock: just didn't seem to fly.

I have re-installed the carbs and just want to check things out. I know both are 12v systems but I am more worried about the Amperage as the car battery is significantly more than the Rebel battery. Any advice?

[GearJammer]

I know someone who "jump-started" a bike battery with a car battery & he didn't damage anything, BUT, I've also heard that it's not highly recommended due to the high cranking amperage of a car battery, as you've already noted.

Personally, I'd be more inclined to let the bike sit until you can afford a regular bike battery. Sitting for a little bit longer wouldn't be as bad as the possibility of toasting the electrical system.

Also, once you get the bike battery, you might consider investing in a Battery Tender ($30 investment worth every penny). It'll allow your battery to stay up to snuff & let you fire her up during the colder months every now & then to keep the motor fresh.

Again, I'm not "positive" about the car battery being dicey, but I wouldn't advise it unless someone else knows for a fact that it's safe.

[GearJammer]

This wouldn't help any with the carbs, but for keeping the internal motor parts & bearings moving a bit, you could probably jack the rear wheel s-a-f-e-l-y off the ground, put it in gear & rotate the rear wheel which would turn the crank & pistons, etc.

[Snorebaby]

Thanks GJ, I was thinking the same thing. Just all this BEAUTIFUL weather here in GA is killing me!!! Got up to 73* today! 8) Usually this is when we have the coldest part of the winter.

I have jumpstarted it before with a car battery, but since I have no battery to "absorb" some of the load, I will just take it safe. Just got off the phone with a friend and he has a battery out of a Hybusa that he doesn't want. I will get it and use it to crank the Rebel. It won't fit in the battery box, just use it to turn everything over a couple of times.

On a side note--I painted the light bar (Black) and installed it today without the lights and it looks sharp. Just need some silver lettering to finish it off. Pics will be posted tomorrow.

[GearJammer]

You beat me to it, LOL! Was thinking about your post after logging off earlier & was going to suggest that if you knew someone with a bike battery (any 12V bike battery), you could simply place it on a block of wood near the terminals & fire it up that way.

Looking forward to the next installment of pics. That light bar in Black w/Silver lettering should look righteous!

Also hear ya about the good riding weather. We've lucked out lately as well & been doing a fair bit of riding. Not sure how long it'll last, but no complaints so far :D