1997 Speedster Battery Removal/Installation

[staceyrides]

OK, I searched the forum to see if this was already posted, but I didn't find anything. I have a dead/bad battery and tried to remove it yesterday so I could service and charge it, but for the life of me couldn't get the thing out due to a lack of space.

Is there a certain way it needs to be turned so it will fit through that very small space between the port engine, expansion chamber, hoses, vent housing, hull and top cap; not to mention practically standing on my head. :lol:

Are there parts/hoses that need or can be removed to make it easier or is it something you just have to wrestle through the opening? I noticed yesterday after my first attempt at removing it, that it looked like the small rubber cooling hose running from the top of the exhaust to the muffler had a hole cut in it where the battery weight had sat on the fitting cutting through the hose.

Also, if I need a new battery, what would be most recommended one that has small enough demensions that I don't have to dismantle or damage the boat to install or remove it?

Thanks for your help!

 

[staceyrides]

So, I tried getting the battery out again this afternoon and was successful. I had to wedge, yank, jerk, cuss, etc. to get it through such a narrow space, but I got it out. In the process, I did manage to make the hole in the small tube on the exhaust a little bigger. My question is if the water in the tube is under a lot of pressure and I absolutely need to replace it or is the water flowing through there under very little pressure and a patch w/a hose clamp on it will do?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[95sportster]

Just replace the clear water hose. It only costs a few pennies from any auto parts store and its not worth the risk/hassle of losing a day on the lake when your engine compartment fills with water.

 

[staceyrides]

95sportster,

Good call on replacing the tubing; picked up 4' at AutoZone for $4 and some change, but only really needed about 2'.

Man, getting the battery in was a bitch! :cuss: I ended up disconnecting both cooling hoses to the rear of the port engine head and finished cutting through the hose on the exhaust pipe to make some more clearance. I really didn't think I was going to get it in and suddenly, it just popped through. I really have no idea how or what I did that made it suddenly go when I had wrestled w/it for about 30 min. :ack:

Got everything reattached, cleaned the battery posts and connectors, tightened down the wing nuts on the posts and gave it a try. Fired right up! :coolgleam:

Now I'm ready for the lake on Saturday when my daughter is here from VA for the weekend! :cheers:

 

[95sportster]

Glad you got it back together and with a new water hose. I have a sportster that I enjoy on the weekends but a speedster is sitting in my driveway for a winter project. I am loathing the lack of space issue I will have to deal with when I start messing around in the engine compartment. Cheers to the weekend :cheers: