XR650L: Shorai Battery Relocation

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by guinnessextreme

Spud... you the man! I was just yesterday looking at my (potential) setup and thinking, "thats a really bad place for an exposed fuse block". But, not having any better ideas, i figured I would find something later. Thank you for doing it for me

You're welcome, Guinness. I live to serve.

P.S. I like your signature. I know about John Galt. I wish I could find him, but he has disappeared for good.

Spud

[Spud Rider]

I have now ridden 1,600 miles since I completed my Shorai battery relocation. Today I decided to reinstall the oil separator on my bike.



To facilitate re-installation of the oil separator, I removed my Shorai battery, and inspected all the bike’s electrical components. The Shorai battery was in excellent condition, as was the velcro that attaches it to the top of the air box.

Since the initial Shorai installation, I have also added a Uni air filter to my bike.



Here are the final photographs I took before I installed the seat, and went for a nice ride.







Spud

[Cumbacheech]

Originally Posted by Spud Rider

Since the initial Shorai installation, I have also added a Uni air filter to my bike.



Spud

Spud,

Did you oil your Uni Filter? looks a little dry....

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Cumbacheech

Spud,

Did you oil your Uni Filter? looks a little dry....

Yes, I oiled the Uni air filter with untinted, bar and chain oil from Wal-Mart. The bar and chain oil works pretty well, but I have since purchased the blue, Bel-Ray, foam filter oil.

Spud

[KyoXR]

Originally Posted by Spud Rider

Yes, I oiled the Uni air filter with untinted, bar and chain oil from Wal-Mart. The bar and chain oil works pretty well, but I have since purchased the blue, Bel-Ray, foam filter oil.

Spud

I was just at Walmart today looking for bar and chain oil and didn't find any...I need to look harder or they don't carry it at this store, but not to use on my air filter, I actually have Uni-filter oil for that.

[michael.brat]

Spud, curious why you decided to reinstall the charcoal canister?

Mike

[guinnessextreme]

Apparently, there is a run on fuse box covers!

"Thank you again for your purchase from BikeBandit.com. Due to high demand, the manufacturer has marked the item(s) listed below in your order XXXXXX backordered. "


COVER, FUSE BOX

1

$8.32

Back Order

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by michael.brat

Spud, curious why you decided to reinstall the charcoal canister?

Mike

I was originally fooled by mistaken reports the oil separator was a "charcoal canister." Also, I believed the "charcoal canister" would make it far more difficult to work on my bike's carburetor. However, after reading posts by Steve, mcmc111, and Brian, techforlife, I realized the importance of the oil separator; therefore, I repented, and reinstalled the unit.

I now believe the Honda engineers had very good reasons to design, and install the oil separator; I also believe my engine will run better with it installed. In addition, I believe the carburetor can suck oil into the engine when the bike is running for extended periods at high speeds without the oil separator present.

I now realize if you loosen three spring clamps, the oil separator is quickly removed from the bike, permitting easy access to the carburetor. Therefore, I can't see any good reasons to run my bike without the oil separator.

Spud

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by guinnessextreme

Apparently, there is a run on fuse box covers!

"Thank you again for your purchase from BikeBandit.com. Due to high demand, the manufacturer has marked the item(s) listed below in your order XXXXXX backordered. "...

I knew I should have bought stock in those fuse box covers!

Spud

[michael.brat]

Originally Posted by Spud Rider

I was originally fooled by mistaken reports the oil separator was a "charcoal canister." Also, I believed the "charcoal canister" would make it far more difficult to work on my bike's carburetor. However, after reading posts by Steve, mcmc111, and Brian, techforlife, I realized the importance of the oil separator; therefore, I repented, and reinstalled the unit.

I now believe the Honda engineers had very good reasons to design, and install the oil separator; I also believe my engine will run better with it installed. In addition, I believe the carburetor can suck oil into the engine when the bike is running for extended periods at high speeds without the oil separator present.

I now realize if you loosen three spring clamps, the oil separator is quickly removed from the bike, permitting easy access to the carburetor. Therefore, I can't see any good reasons to run my bike without the oil separator.

Spud

Humm, thanks for the feedback; I'll consider that when removing the smog components! Now that you mention the charcoal canister mistake; I believe it is only on Cali models and is located on the front of the bike above the skid plate. I have one on my XR.

Mike

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by michael.brat

Humm, thanks for the feedback; I'll consider that when removing the smog components! Now that you mention the charcoal canister mistake; I believe it is only on Cali models and is located on the front of the bike above the skid plate. I have one on my XR.

Mike

I'm pretty sure you are correct regarding the charcoal canister, Mike.

Incidentally, I rode my XR650L for over 3,000 miles with the oil separator removed, and I certainly didn't harm my motorcycle. Many others have removed the oil separators from their bikes, and ridden many miles without problems. However, I personally feel better now that I have returned my bike to the original design configured by the Honda engineers.

Spud

[XR650L_Dave]

Well, the batteries are now going to be available more like end-of-may. That is going to seriously crimp my riding, my batt is good for about 10 seconds of crank-time.



I ordered mine march 30, they were supposed to be out by the end of april.

I knew trusting their delivery date would make me feel like a putz...




Dave

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by XR650L_Dave

Well, the batteries are now going to be available more like end-of-may. That is going to seriously crimp my riding, my batt is good for about 10 seconds of crank-time.



I ordered mine march 30, they were supposed to be out by the end of april.

I knew trusting their delivery date would make me feel like a putz...




Dave

I'm sorry to hear about the delay, Dave. I would certainly loan you my old battery, but you are a continent away from me; I hope someone closer quickly responds to your request.

I am very glad I ordered my Shorai battery when I did; it is still performing very well for me. My battery relocation is also working very well; I have not encountered any problems with it. I can still recommend my Shorai battery relocation without reservations.

Spud

[XR650L_Dave]

I groused on shorai's website about the delayed delivery and received a response from their operations manager within two hours. That's pretty good in my book.

Mid-may.

Dave

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by XR650L_Dave

I groused on shorai's website about the delayed delivery and received a response from their operations manager within two hours. That's pretty good in my book.

Mid-may.

Dave

Indeed, that's good customer service.

The battery terminals are a bit flimsy on my Shorai battery. However, the next batch of Shorai batteries is supposed to correct this problem. I really don't have any complaints concerning my first-generation, Shorai battery; it is performing very well for me. In addition, I appreciate the 2-year warranty than comes with the Shorai battery. I am very pleased with my purchase, and I'm confident the next batch of Shorai batteries will be even better than the first batch.

Spud