Minor League Idiot
Author
Discussion

Stuart70

Original Poster:

4,166 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Bought a new battery last year as the old one was flat and I had to be out that day.
Put it in, all happiness.

Charged up old battery, swapped it over at a point when new battery had been left to go flat.
Rinse and repeat, until now - the old battery is stone dead, gone, climbed the curtains etc.

At some point, I lost the screw bolts (5mm x 10mm?) for the new battery. Hence idiot.
Of course, the battery terminal is just too wide for the old battery’s bolts and they spin pointlessly.

Only an idiot would have gone out this morning with a terminals not tightly located, bimbling down the road and the battery disconnects, bike stalls and immobiliser; well it does what it says on the tin. Luckily I am not an idiot. Well ok, I am.

Anyway, I don’t have a tool box full of random screw bolts. I don’t really want to buy another battery for the sake of a little 10mm bolt.

Any hints or tips for an idiot in these lockdown days?

Cylon2007

611 posts

108 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Don't let the battery go flat HTH smile

Stuart70

Original Poster:

4,166 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Cylon2007 said:
Don't let the battery go flat HTH smile
Fair point, well made. Lock down days and occasional biker.

Will bear your wise advice in mind in the future.

Sod all help for today though!! smilesmile

talksthetorque

10,821 posts

165 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Stuart70 said:
Bought a new battery last year as the old one was flat and I had to be out that day.
Put it in, all happiness.

Charged up old battery, swapped it over at a point when new battery had been left to go flat.
Rinse and repeat, until now - the old battery is stone dead, gone, climbed the curtains etc.

At some point, I lost the screw bolts (5mm x 10mm?) for the new battery. Hence idiot.
Of course, the battery terminal is just too wide for the old battery’s bolts and they spin pointlessly.

Only an idiot would have gone out this morning with a terminals not tightly located, bimbling down the road and the battery disconnects, bike stalls and immobiliser; well it does what it says on the tin. Luckily I am not an idiot. Well ok, I am.

Anyway, I don’t have a tool box full of random screw bolts. I don’t really want to buy another battery for the sake of a little 10mm bolt.

Any hints or tips for an idiot in these lockdown days?
B&Q or screwfix should have the sizes you need.
Might be a different head on it, make sure you. on't get one that protrudes on to any nearby metalwork!

if by 10mm you mean it needs a 10mm spanner, then it will be an M6 thread, you may need the nut as well.


Also while you're there buy a magnetic tray. wink



Screwfix is click and collect only at the moment I believe.



Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

155 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
buy a li-po battery.
lighter, does not go flat as fast, gives better kick on start and recharges quicker as well, works down to ~0C no problem

Stuart70

Original Poster:

4,166 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
talksthetorque said:
B&Q or screwfix should have the sizes you need.
Might be a different head on it, make sure you. on't get one that protrudes on to any nearby metalwork!

if by 10mm you mean it needs a 10mm spanner, then it will be an M6 thread, you may need the nut as well.


Also while you're there buy a magnetic tray. wink



Screwfix is click and collect only at the moment I believe.
Thanks - magnetic tray is genius idea for someone as handless and daft as me!

Stuart70

Original Poster:

4,166 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Ho Lee Kau said:
buy a li-po battery.
lighter, does not go flat as fast, gives better kick on start and recharges quicker as well, works down to ~0C no problem
Definitely on the next replacement. Thanks for the advice.

Stuart70

Original Poster:

4,166 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
Found a mate who is a lot more practical than me, who has a garage full of useful “stuff”.
Many options tried and solution found.

When you are a fool, you need smart mates!

Off for a ride in the sunshine; aim to keep the battery charged by using the bike from now on.

Thanks for all the advice smile.



Edited by Stuart70 on Wednesday 27th May 11:57