Ducati Monster Forum

 [coffee]

Ok, so I'm bored and thinking of mods that might be possible. Trying to keep my grey cells from deteriorating over the winter. 

Anyone ever moved their battery? Seems like down where the carbon cannister is (was) would be a more logical location. Easy to do, too.

If its a Monster what's the benefit of moving the battery from a protected area (under the tank) out in the open exposed to the elements? 

I would think more along the lines of a diavel-esque chin piece with a superbike oil cooler and cell type battery

obviously it would be in a battery box

that "protected area" hits about 250 degrees in summer traffic - not too good for batteries

there are also concepts called "lowered center of gravity" and "mass centralization". seems to me that moving that much weight down 2 feet and forward a foot would make a noticeable improvement in handling.

this post seeks constructive comments

^^^^ just by a speedcel battery

why a superbike oil cooler?  [popcorn]

for the shape. sbk cooler/ lines/lower bodywork and chin piece and with a good amount of dilligence you could fab up a factory chin piece that would function really well.

I say "a good amount of dilligence" because just slapping on sbk parts and moving the battery could look like shit very easily, and unless you take care in mounting and isolating the battery you could have a rather large problem on your hands.

I wasn't really considering trying to hide it with any kind of bodywork. I still want it to look like a Monster.
Cupcake brought up Speedcell batteries which are a lot smaller than OEM.
In a snug fitting battery box, I don't see it being a whole lot bigger than the carbon canister was. Battery boxes are easy enough to find.
What do you think?

you wouldnt have to cover it with a bellypan, it would look like a s4r but without the radiator (and obviously the slimmer 2v motor). but if your looking for better weight distribution you want the battery as low and centered possible, even if youre using a cell type battery.

exactly

this is going to happen

i've been thinking the same, the superbikes put them low on the sides, why not lower and near the starter.

I moved the battery on a '92 Superlight. I cut down the air box and put the battery in it's forward cavity. This required K&N pod filters and a little extra tuning. The battery mass ended up behind the steering head ala Bimota. My goal was to improve forward weight distribution and it improved the bikes handling.

The Superlight has two brackets for the airbox, whereas the Monster has one. I fitted a Shorai battery to the Monster and left it at that.

Not really familiar with SBKs but on my ST4s it was above the starter on the right side and protected by the fairing. That makes sense to me.  Wouldn't be good on the Monster, though. If it fell the battery would take the hit.  Any suggestions besides where the carbon can was?
Any suggestions for a battery box?