I finally got my 10LB2 in the mail today. And it didn't come with any acid. So I went to the local auto parts store and picked up the kind it needed. I was just wondering, seeing how I've never done it before, what is the best way to charge it up and get my bike running again?

BTW, it hasn't been running for about 2 weeks while i was waiting for another paycheck. Is there anything else I should do before the battery? Things to check?

Thanks so much for any feedback. I greatly appreciate it.

Well as far as the battery, you definitely want to charge it before you use it. On new ones I charge them on a small 10 amp charger until the cells are gassing real vigorously. Before you ride you should check your tires, both condition and pressure, drive chain lube and adjustment, oil level, make sure brakes are up, check all your lights, check condition of your cables and all your fuel lines and hoses on the engine. I've always used a rubber pad under my battery and that seems to help prevent corrosion of the battery holder. Use some kind of protectant on the battery terminal clamps (you can use grease, paint, vasoline, whatever, i've never noticed much difference myself) to keep corrosion down. Do a general look-see of any bolts and nuts to see if anything obvious rears it's ugly head. Check to see if the fork seals are starting to leak. If it's just been two weeks i'd say you're gonna be good to go. G'luck and happy ridin'...ya gotta love the little beasty bike and this forum too.

C.......

Thanks a lot. Yeah, my seals have a small leak in them, nothing very fast. Probably from a little rock hitting it or something. How much does it cost to get fork seals replaced?

Quote from: cernunos...charge them on a small 10 amp charger ..........

I think you want to use something more like a 1 (one) amp charger.  I just bought a battery for my R6.  It is a 10A-h battery & the instructions said to use a 1 amp charger.  I think the GS battery may be a bit smaller, so I don't think you'd want to go too much bigger with the charger.

My bad, I should have said "...charge at about 10% rate of the battery rating." You are correct, that would be 1 amp charging rate. Love the baby G and the forum.

C.......

actually, all I have around the house is a 4 amp charger. Can I still use that? As long as I keep an eye on things?

I would recommend getting a true expert's opinion before using the 4 amp job.  If you throw too much amperage at it, the water may boil off & may even fry the battery.  What is too much amperage?  I'm not sure.  I'm sure 1 amp (for a 10A-h battery) is OK & I'm sure 10 amps is too much but I don't know on which side of the "OK/Too Much" line 4 amps falls.  Didn't the battery come with any instructions for prepping & charging it (or has the garbage already been taken out?   )

Yeh you can use that charger, the battery isn't going to blow up on you or anything like that. Just charge it until you get a good amount of gassing from the cells. Take the caps off the cells and when they are putting bubbles out at the rate of about 1/sec you'll be ok. Don't let it gas to the point of having hydrogen gas in the air or when you get a spark you can light up the room :lol: . But i've used the little 4 and 6 amp chargers before with no problem. You'll be ok. Love the little bike and the forum.

C.......

Actually the battery will already be charged somewhat just by putting the acid in, it's just only up to about 60-80%. If you don't charge it some the battery may never be able to get to a 100% charge...you'll be ok, i've charged quite a few like that and it works. Not an expert but an ex-automotive engineer. Love the little bike and the forum.

C.......

I added acid to a replacement battery and charged it with my 1.25A Battery Tender.  I wasn't in any hurry so I just let it charge away....  I don't think it took much longer than overnight.