Noco, Shorai, Antigravity, Battery Tender, Bosch makes good lithium batteries.

Lithium does well in cold because its internal current when starting warms itself. Which then allows it to deliver full power. Only caveat is not to recharge it under freezing conditions.

They all have BMS to protect from overcharging and over-discharging. Last one is important as it's saved me several batteries worth of replacement costs after I accidentally left headlights on or parasitic drain developed that drained battery when bike is off. BMS just disconnect battery from harness when it drops to low voltage to prevent damage. Unlike lead-acid which will drain until its completely dead and can't be revived.

 

With a lithium battery, if you are in a cold climate, when you go to start it and if it seems that the battery is weak leave the switch in the on position for like 30 seconds. The battery will warm itself and the output current will go up.

 

AG 801 - have one in my 1200 bobber and had one on my 865cc hardtail. Never had to trickle charge them or had any sort of problem - 4 years on now. I did upgrade the reg / rec on the bonnie to a ricks motorsport version - not sure if it was needed or not

 

My Antigravity ATZ-7 was sitting at 12.98V (3.245V/cell) after I parked the bike over 3 months ago. A little on the low side for LiFePO4 storage but I did turn on the ignition to cycle the fuel pump a few times recently and the headlight came on. It's only a 3.3Ah battery so it would've been in a better range if I left it alone. A few minutes on the charger brought it up to 13.2

 

I have had a lithium battery fitted to my 1976 T140V just over 2 years now and a Shido lithium fitted to my 2002 Thunderbird900 just over a year, and the Thunderbird fires up first touch of the starter I also have fitted stick coils to the 900.

John.

 

Hi. I have a 2003 Thunderbird 900 which was slow to start. I replaced the battery with a NOCO Lithium NLP14, Group 14, 500A Lithium Powersport Battery. Unfortunately, I didn't properly check the dimensions of the thing. It's the correct height and fits nicely into the battery box, until you come to re-fitting the removeable end cover! Fortunately, a friend was able to fabricate a simple cover with approx. 12mm offset, so it would fit and not contact the inner face of the side panel. That said, the bike starts much easier than it did, even from cold after being in my shed for a month with no attention.

 

I am also looking into a lifepo4 battery. The stock lead acid battery says it has about 210 cca. The Noco nlp14 says it has over 500 amps for starting but as you say it is too long for our battery box, the Noco nlp9 is also too long. The Noco nlp5 is smaller and says it has over 250 amps for starting so I wonder if it would work. Any one have an opinion if this is a viable option.
Bob

 

Looking to update/replace my battery with a new lithium battery.

Who has done this? What battery do you have?

Mine has a tough time starting when the bike is cold. After that first start of the day all is well.

My current battery is a Dekka about 5 years old. Always had good luck with these before typically getting 7 years. This one seems to be giving up quicker.

Again, suggestions?

One other thing I have noticed about the vast majority of lithium based batteries -- the terminals are reversed of what is needed on my 2003 Triumph Thunderbird.

While holding the batter in your hands, terminals facing you I need -......+

Almost all, including the NOCO, are +......-

I did find a couple, prestige, bs, expensive shorai over 400 bucks those are the alternatives.

 

One other thing I have noticed about the vast majority of lithium based batteries -- the terminals are reversed of what is needed on my 2003 Triumph Thunderbird.

While holding the batter in your hands, terminals facing you I need -......+

Almost all, including the NOCO, are +......-.

Antigravity has 4 terminals so they work for any configuration.

 

Looking to update/replace my battery with a new lithium battery.

Who has done this? What battery do you have?

Mine has a tough time starting when the bike is cold. After that first start of the day all is well.

My current battery is a Dekka about 5 years old. Always had good luck with these before typically getting 7 years. This one seems to be giving up quicker.

Again, suggestions?

Thanks to all for your input. I appreciate it. I bought a BS Battery (the Chinese market needs to learn about American slang).

I haven't put it to any real test on my 03 Thunderbird. I will keep you updated on my experience.

Ride well.