New battery, everything fits except . . .

[Grey Thumper]

So I'm finally changing my battery after 8 years. It's a bit of a hassle on an 1150, but everything gets disconnected ok, everything fits fine, all the leads for accessories are fine, except for this . . .



For some reason, the negative connection has a screw that can't be removed and replaced with the appropriately-sized screws that come with the new battery. Bizarre. Have you guys/gals ever had this problem? My offhand solution would be to snip off the end and drill a hole into the lead that's just large enough for the smaller screws that come with the battery, but there must be a better solution. :S

[sstein]

Can you drill a larger hole in the battery negative contact ? Better to alter the battery than the bike.

[Grey Thumper]

Can you drill a larger hole in the battery negative contact ? Better to alter the battery than the bike.

Good point about not altering the bike. I think the screw is too large to modify the contact of the battery. I might just use a small L-shaped piece of metal with two holes; one to accomodate the larger screw of the negative lead, and one that'll fit the smaller screw of the battery (getting ride of the U-shaped piece of metal that comes with the battery).

[sstein]

Sounds like a plan. A little dielectric grease and you're good to go.

[towerworker]

I had a similar issue first time I replaced mine many years ago with an Odyssey. I made an L bracket out of a piece of copper and drilled it to fit. Later Odyssey's came with the bracket supplied.

[spoon]

That screw in the neg. cable will come out. Give it a squeeze with some channel locks.