hen some people hear the term “maintenance-free battery” they get the idea they can buy one, put it in the bike, and forget about it. But any maintenance-free battery, even one from Drag Specialties, needs a little attention now and then.
     Most maintenance-free batteries come dry from the manufacturer and need to be filled with acid and put on a charger for a few hours before they can be used. But Drag Specialties maintenance-free batteries are filled and charged at the factory before they’re shipped. Not only that, they’re charged and discharged three times to fully saturate the glass mat with battery acid. This means Drag Specialties maintenance-free batteries not only come fully charged, but hold a charge longer, throughout their service life.
     Once they’re in the bike, there are still some things you need to watch out for. All batteries self-discharge when they’re not being used. You don’t notice it if you ride often, but if you ride less during the winter, or park your bike until the good weather returns, odds are your battery will lose enough of its charge to make starting hard.
You can keep that charge up by using a battery charger if you’re not going to ride for a few weeks or more. Drag Specialties has its own line of battery chargers, as well as chargers from Battery Tender and Yuasa. Whether you’re looking for a shop model to keep multiple batteries charged, or chargers for your customers to use at home, you’ll find them in the FatBook.
     Once the charging situation is taken care of, there are only a few things left to check to make sure a Drag Specialties maintenance-free battery lasts as long as it was designed to:
     1) Keep the top of the battery clean and free of dirt and debris. Foreign matter can be kicked up into the battery area on some models and coat the battery case, terminals, and terminal hardware. Excessive moisture can cause corrosion of the terminal nuts and bolts, and even the battery cables themselves.
     2) Regularly check the battery cables, the battery clamp or strap, and the battery case for damage. Drag Specialties batteries are built tough, with cases thick enough to withstand the vibration of V-twin engines. But if the hold-down strap breaks, or the bolt holding the battery clamp comes loose, the battery might be able to move around enough to damage it over time. Vibration can loosen terminal bolts, too, and rub holes in the insulation on the cables. A short will at least blow a fuse–at worst, it could start a fire.
     3) Clean the terminals and battery posts regularly. A good connection between the two is important if the battery is to deliver maximum starting voltage. Hard starting might be caused by dirty or corroded connectors.
     4) If you’re going to store your battery for an extended period, either disconnect the cables or take the battery out of the bike. To make sure it will be ready to go when you are, hook it up to a battery charger and look in on it every so often.
     5) Don’t be fooled into believing that starting your bike a few times a month and letting it idle will charge up the battery. Most times the charge you use to start your bike won’t be replaced by the bike’s charging system. If you can’t take it for at least a half-hour ride, get the battery back on a charger as soon as you’re done running the engine.
     That’s about all it takes to make sure a maintenance-free battery is also a hassle-free battery. Talk to your sales rep about stocking Drag Specialties batteries and battery chargers so every battery sale will start the first time, every time.