dumb question

ROBOX · Post by **ROBOX** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:13 pm

Dumb question i know but where is the battery located on my 03 Rockster.

Many thanks - grief from you guys is expected, that goes without saying on such a dumb question from the UK !!

Post by **johnnyjs1** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:22 pm

Under the tank

Capt. Blackadder · Post by **Capt. Blackadder** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:22 pm

Under the tank. If you remove the saddle and shine a flashlight under the tank from the back end of it, you'll see it.

Post by **MikeCam** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:27 pm

"...such a dumb question from the UK !!"

Not at all. It is really such a dumb location for the Germans to use.

Post by **Robert_winter_1000** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:45 pm

MikeCam wrote:"...such a dumb question from the UK !!"

Not at all. It is really such a dumb location for the Germans to use.

Indeed, I agree with you. Maybe because they want to push lazy people to keep good contact with the dealer in place of self- reparation. B.T.W. be careful if you move the tank that you will not damage the oil radiator!

Robert

Post by **tonyff** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:11 am

Are you trying to get at the battery just to get a charger on it? If so, there is a positive post on the right side of the bike that you can hook the positive cable of the charger to.

Just a thought

Post by **JCsman** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:01 am

Pulling he tank is covered in the owners manual, if you've got one. But the detail is a bit limited.

The first time I pulled my tank I also used this link:

http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/te ... emoval.htm

While not a Rockster, this may be of use.

And you may want to read up on how fragile the quick connects are.

Good luck.

ROBOX · Post by **ROBOX** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:07 am

Thanks for all your help guys. Just wanted to know if I need to charge the battery but as I have been told there is a positve post I can use.

Thanks folks

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:31 am

ROBOX wrote:Thanks for all your help guys. Just wanted to know if I need to charge the battery but as I have been told there is a positve post I can use.

Thanks folks

The late 2004 (2003 in Europe) and later R1150R has a positive post, right on the starter cover. If you don't have one, you can easily add it yourself with parts from the dealer (I did this).

Here's a pic of mine. the lug is just in front of the accessory port:

Post by **NoRRmad** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:50 pm

...And, if you don't have that jump-starting lug, you can use the accessory socket, pictured just to the right of the lug. My battery charger came with a plug for that socket.

ROBOX · Post by **ROBOX** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:55 am

Thanks guys, I don't have a jump-starting lug, or the accessory socket. Do you know if European models, mines an 03 Rockster, are different to those in the USA, or are these addtional to orig spec from BMW ?

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:34 am

I think it was a mid-year addition to the '03/'04 models. Like I said, the dealer has the parts needed to add one. All you'll need to do is drill a hole through the plastic starter cover and bolt it onto the starter solenoid. The parts are inexpensive (under $10(US)).

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:16 pm

ROBOX wrote:Thanks guys, I don't have a jump-starting lug, or the accessory socket. Do you know if European models, mines an 03 Rockster, are different to those in the USA, or are these addtional to orig spec from BMW ?

Mine ('04) doesn't have one, but my previous two (a '53 and an '04) did.

Just random off the line I think....

Post by **Biff's R** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:56 pm

I also think that you can buy a new starter cover that has the accessory plug for $32 US. It makes hooking up a trickle charger very easy.

allanj255 · Post by **allanj255** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:17 pm

The wiring is there, tucked behind the cover to fit an accessorie socket, just get a socket from the dealer, remove the blanking plug from the starter cover and plug in. I guess that BMW were just penny pinching on UK models as they went to the trouble of fitting the wires and saved a few quid by not fitting the socket.
I got a socket off eBay for Ã‚Â£2-00 and just changed the terminals on the end of the wires as they were different from the BMW connections -But the socket was a lot cheaper than a BMW one. I use a battery tender that plugs in to the socket to keep my battery good.