XR650L: Shorai Battery Relocation

[Spud Rider]

I recently purchased a Shorai, LFX09A2 battery for my Honda XR650L. The Shorai battery weighs 4.8 pounds less than the stock battery, and its small size allowed me to relocate the battery on top of the XR650L air box.

I prepared the seat pan by removing the lateral rib that extends in front of the air box, and shaving the excess flashing from the vent holes.



Then I removed all the contents from the battery box, and freed the wiring harness from the battery box. I disconnected the CDI unit, and pulled the fuses from the fuse box. After the battery box was empty, I removed it completely from the motorcycle, shedding over 10 pounds of highly placed weight.



Next, I loosened all the wiring connected to the air box, and I disconnected all the plugs. I then pulled the wires leading to the battery box under the frame, and cleared them from the top of the air box. Next, I cut back the tape about 1 ½-inches from the fork on the main wiring harness.



This allowed me to shove the main wiring harness down into the space in front of the air box. One of the wiring boots is located on the right side of the fuel tank. I rerouted all the wires leading to this wiring boot in front of the shock absorber. I also shoved the wiring boot coming from the right side of the fuel tank down into the space in front of the air box.



I then prepared a flat surface for the Shorai battery by trimming the small, lateral wall on the top front of the air box.



After lengthening the wires leading from the tail light and turn signals, I routed these wires from the left side of the bike, under the frame, into the area in front of the air box. I routed the wire from the rear brake switch from the right side of the bike, under the frame, into the same area.

After placing the Shorai battery into position, I reconnected all the wires, and routed the CDI wire, the starter relay, and the fuse box outside the frame, to the right, rear end of the air box.



After changing the position of the connectors on the starter relay, I mounted the starter relay, and the fuse box, onto the top, rear of the air box, outside the frame. I routed the CDI wire into the hole of the air box, and attached the CDI unit inside the air box with a zip tie.



After reinstalling the fuses, I trimmed a small portion of the “wall” surrounding the air intake to allow me to connect the positive terminal to the battery. Finishing the job, I connected both battery terminals, and reinstalled the fuses.







The saddle reinstalls as easily as it did before. By removing the battery box, I shaved a little over 10 pounds from my motorcycle. The Shorai battery weighs 1.2 pounds, so the net weight loss resulting from this battery relocation was about 9 pounds.

Spud

[ONandOFF]

Spud

I really like what you've done here, and I'm impressed at how thorough your documentation is. I appreciate the fact that you didn't cut up the wiring harness to dispose of the excess wiring. However, I have two questions that would concern me when I commence to incorporate this attractive modification: 1) can the wires get to rubbing on the moving shock absorber, perhaps even move around to get crunched in the coils of the spring, under compression? And 2) is the battery perfectly happy to operate on its side? (as opposed to the expected upright position)
Thanks Spud

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by ONandOFF

Spud

I really like what you've done here, and I'm impressed at how thorough your documentation is. I appreciate the fact that you didn't cut up the wiring harness to dispose of the excess wiring. However, I have two questions that would concern me when I commence to incorporate this attractive modification: 1) can the wires get to rubbing on the moving shock absorber, perhaps even move around to get crunched in the coils of the spring, under compression? And 2) is the battery perfectly happy to operate on its side? (as opposed to the expected upright position)
Thanks Spud

Thank you for the kind works, OnO. All the wires are located above the shock absorber coil, so I believe they are safe. However, for added protection, you could easily insert the wires inside some sections of old inner tube. Of course, you could also shorten the wires themselves.

According to the manufacturer, it is safe to position the Shorai battery on its side.

Spud

[ONandOFF]

Thanks again, sir Spud
I think this will be a fantastic modification for me also, when the time is right. Meaning, when my battery dies and assuming I can cobble up the bucks for this $$$ battery. I will be keeping an eye on your observations and of course contact you for up-to-date information before delving in, whenever that may be. I would be reluctant to shorten the factory wiring harness, simply because no matter how well I solder, heat shrink, and tape the splices (and I do it well; lots of experience), it still affects reliability as water can still ingress and do its nasty deed. And I get mine wet sometimes. I would make sure that wiring is extra secure out of the way of moving parts because I do some pretty rough trail riding with mine. Hauling ass over rocks, jumping water bars, dropping off ledges - stuff like that will rearrage your innards in a hurry! (the bike's, too)

[Spud Rider]

Yesterday I added a few more, finishing touches to my Shorai, battery relocation. I temporarily added a piece of Romex wire to serve as a battery "strap." I will figure out a more elegant solution later. I also added a small piece of "Shorai foam" to protect the bottom of the battery from the air box mount on the frame. In addition, I plan to trim/file this metal tab so it will not nick the battery box.



I also plan to add a 5mm sheet of "Shorai foam" to the top of the air box. This foam will reduce abrasion, absorb shock, and further secure the Shorai battery to the top of the air box.

Spud

[powderider]

[QUOTE=Spud Rider;15357358]Yesterday I added a few more, finishing touches to my Shorai, battery relocation. I temporarily added a piece of Romex wire to serve as a battery "strap." I will figure out a more elegant solution later. I also added a small piece of "Shorai foam" to protect the bottom of the battery from the air box mount on the frame. In addition, I plan to trim/file this metal tab so it will not nick the battery box.



I also plan to add a 5mm sheet of "Shorai foam" to the top of the air box. This foam will reduce abrasion, absorb shock, and further secure the Shorai battery to the top of the air box.

Spud [/QUOTE
Very nice mod , but will the air box breath and have enough airflow?

[Chad M]

Is the fit between the battery, airbox and seat bottom tight enough that the battery doesn't move around? I would imagine a piece of velcro between the battery and the airbox would stop it vibrating in place and minimize the chance of any friction related problems the movement may cause.

edit: I see while I was typing this, you explained a little more about holding the battery in place. I still think a small sheet of velcro would do double duty as insulator and retention.

[Kawidad]

Nice.

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Chad M

Is the fit between the battery, airbox and seat bottom tight enough that the battery doesn't move around? I would imagine a piece of velcro between the battery and the airbox would stop it vibrating in place and minimize the chance of any friction related problems the movement may cause.

edit: I see while I was typing this, you explained a little more about holding the battery in place. I still think a small sheet of velcro would do double duty as insulator and retention.

Thank you for the helpful suggestion, Chad. The foam supplied with the Shorai battery is excellent. I believe a pad of "Shorai foam," along with a proper battery strap, will thoroughly secure the installation.



Spud

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Chad M

...edit: I see while I was typing this, you explained a little more about holding the battery in place. I still think a small sheet of velcro would do double duty as insulator and retention.

Upon further reflection, I like your idea more, and more, Chad. Do you have a particular velcro product in mind? Since the Shorai battery only weighs 1.2 pounds, a battery strap might not be necessary. If you can recommend a particular product, I might experiment with it.

Spud

[ID XR600]

Originally Posted by EXRM193

I'm just about at the end of my mods over here in the UK.
How have you guys found the seat fits on top of the battery?? Mine seems to be a little bit raised. A gap of about 5mm between the seat and the side panels. I might re-work the plastic above the battery to see if the seat can sit a little lower. I'll post some phots when I can.

I had to trim the round seat breather holes flush, in addition to the cross strip piece.
I went with a Ballistic brand, very pleased with the cranking power.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Spud Rider]

Indeed, check the first post of this thread. You need to trim the flash off the seat's "breather" holes.



Spud

[Roll_n]

My battery totally died, a LFX09AS-BS12 is on the way. Pretty excited to drop the 'growth' off my bike. Should have the new taillight on by the time it gets here...

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Roll_n

My battery totally died, a LFX09AS-BS12 is on the way. Pretty excited to drop the 'growth' off my bike. Should have the new taillight on by the time it gets here...

Good for you! It's only necessary to lengthen the wires from the tail light and rear turn signals. All the other wires are long enough.

Spud

[beechum1]

Would you expect I could get another .25" between the two airbox bolts? I'm going to go with the antigravity battery, but it's .25" "taller."