DesmoTimes used to sell an upgrade kit for the battery and starter cables for around $40, but they don't sell it any more. I can only find it on E-Bay for ridiculous prices. Any ideas?
It's for an '05 620
Check with motowheels...
http://motowheels.com/c-181242-parts-electrical-lighting-batteries-and-spare-parts.html (http://motowheels.com/c-181242-parts-electrical-lighting-batteries-and-spare-parts.html)
Fairly easy to assemble your own using welding cable.
Or, if that is not your choice you could use http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables/custom-battery-cable-assembly (http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables/custom-battery-cable-assembly)
Since this mod is used on just about every brand bike, there have been industrious entrepreneurs offering kits. Originally, most were reasonable, but unfortunately that seems to be changing as greed becomes a factor. I have also noted some people reporting difficulty doing the mod, but that is because they were not using the correct cable. Welding cable is probably the most flexible cable available, and the insulation is extremely durable.
This is a newb question, but if I just buy cable by itself how easy is it attach the connectors? Are they bolted on or otherwise removable or do you have to cut and splice the connectors onto the new cable?
Motowheels doesn't seem to specify if their cables will fit a 620 (You'd think the cables would all be the same but they specify different bikes so something must be different). I sent them an e-mail.
[popcorn]
http://www.motolectric.com/makes/ducati.html (http://www.motolectric.com/makes/ducati.html)
$120.00
Quote from: The Last In Line on September 09, 2014, 09:41:15 AM
http://www.motolectric.com/makes/ducati.html (http://www.motolectric.com/makes/ducati.html)
$120.00
Yeah, that's one of the 'ridiculous' ones I mentioned. Anything over $40 for this is a joke.
well, use the picture and make your own . . .
I paid the $120 for the motolectric kit for my M900. They can make them for any Duck, all custom made to order. It doesn't actually seem too bad a deal, it's a better kit than some of the $75 ones. It would have taken me dozens of hours to figure out what types of cables, ends, lengths, and then to fabricate. The motolectric is a super high quality kit (best?) and my bike fires right up so easily just by touching the button now.
The motolectric owner has you do a process where you state what side of the engine/ path and where you want each wire routed, then they make it to your spec exactly. The wires are huge and it will save your battery.
Quote from: silas on September 09, 2014, 12:55:14 PM
I paid the $120 for the motolectric kit for my M900. They can make them for any Duck, all custom made to order. It doesn't actually seem too bad a deal, it's a better kit than some of the $75 ones. It would have taken me dozens of hours to figure out what types of cables, ends, lengths, and then to fabricate. The motolectric is a super high quality kit (best?) and my bike fires right up so easily just by touching the button now.
The motolectric owner has you do a process where you state what side of the engine/ path and where you want each wire routed, then they make it to your spec exactly. The wires are huge and it will save your battery.
While my choices are obviously different than yours, and I understand that some have various reasons for choosing among options, I agree each of us are entitled to our own preferences.
However, I do wonder what evidence you have to support the claim that the motolectric kit is better than the $75 ones? Maybe you could explain.
And ,BTW, it aint rocket science figuring out the routing and terminals. And, I would bet that he supplies a ready made kit for each model rather than reinventing the wheel each time. [roll]
i really like the motolectric kits, and have fitted quite a lot of them. lt at desmotimes said they were better quality than the powerlet kits he sold. but how much better depends on how you see it.
you just need to have the right tools to make them yourself, i'm sure it wouldn't be too hard otherwise. if the welding cables just use a solder terminal you probably just need a torch to get it hot enough fast enough.
Go to NAPA and just get bulk battery cable. It is very flexible. You can also get ends for it and the heat shrink to cover the ends.
Just get some solder and a propane torch. Place end in a vice. Heat end and melt solder into end. Ķeep heat on end and insert cable and remove heat. One end done. Rinse and repeat.
Use 6 gauge wire, or if you are crazy about volt loss, 4 gauge. The oxygen free stuff is used mostly for audio stuff to prevent, possible, signal distortion.
Quote from: oldndumb on September 09, 2014, 07:56:11 AM
Fairly easy to assemble your own using welding cable.
Or, if that is not your choice you could use http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables/custom-battery-cable-assembly (http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables/custom-battery-cable-assembly)
Since this mod is used on just about every brand bike, there have been industrious entrepreneurs offering kits. Originally, most were reasonable, but unfortunately that seems to be changing as greed becomes a factor. I have also noted some people reporting difficulty doing the mod, but that is because they were not using the correct cable. Welding cable is probably the most flexible cable available, and the insulation is extremely durable.
That link is fantastic. The missing link between DIY and getting ripped off. I think I'll have a go at making my own tho. Thanks OND, good stuff as usual.
I will say, although the Motolectric kit is absolutely outrageous, the Motowheels kit isn't *completely* unreasonable if you have their VIP membership.
Don't know about other model Ducatis, but I found it more convenient on the EVO to carefully remove the stock 90 degree terminals from the factory set and reuse them (soldered) on the new set. On other bikes I just use copper terminals and swage them in a home brew fixture that I place in a large vise. I buy the cable and terminals from a welding supply house.
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/oldndumb/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola001.jpg) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/oldndumb/media/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola001.jpg.html)
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/oldndumb/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola003.jpg) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/oldndumb/media/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola003.jpg.html)
Pull test setup. The cable used in this instance was auto parts store bulk cable, not welding cable. Note the flexibility. Welding cable is just as flexible and has superior insulation.
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/oldndumb/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola.jpg) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/oldndumb/media/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/CrimpToola.jpg.html)
Examples of crimps done for a Triumph.
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/oldndumb/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/FinalInstalla013.jpg) (http://s165.photobucket.com/user/oldndumb/media/4%20Gauge%20Starter%20Wire%20Mod%20Triumph%2006%20ST/FinalInstalla013.jpg.html)
Nice work. Good way to save money and have a quality product.
I've seen the Motoelectric kit. Pricey? Yeah. Great quality? Yeah. If I was feeling rich and lazy would I buy it? Yeah
Motolectric did a custom set for my Bimota, there are details that he does that result in the cost of the kits, like silicone rubber insulation and oxy free copper terminals, the kit cost was the same as his lowest cost kit. It sure did make a big difference in how the bike starts.there are other details in the kit as well, and instructions on how to assemble it to maximize the results. I do not feel "ripped off" by buying this kit. And remember, "the pain of price is forgotten while the pleasure of quality remains"!
I don't doubt the quality, but I just don't think I need my battery cable to be oxygen free at a huge premium.
Matt at motowheels has offered to make one for a 620 even though they don't normally stock that. If it goes well I'll post it on here for the sake of future searches on the forum.
Quote from: iltl32 on September 10, 2014, 12:15:07 PM
I don't doubt the quality, but I just don't think I need my battery cable to be oxygen free at a huge premium.
Matt at motowheels has offered to make one for a 620 even though they don't normally stock that. If it goes well I'll post it on here for the sake of future searches on the forum.
Is he going to do it for the same price as the other kits?
I'm sure Motolectric makes a great quality kit, and it's obvious there are people that see value in it. I can still see how someone could feel a bit taken advantage of if they were a touch naive and were sold that item, then later realized the over engineering probably wasn't necessary. Caveat emptor I suppose...that's why I'm grateful for this forum.
Quote from: Buck Naked on September 10, 2014, 05:19:22 PM
I'm sure Motolectric makes a great quality kit, and it's obvious there are people that see value in it. I can still see how someone could feel a bit taken advantage of if they were a touch naive and were sold that item, then later realized the over engineering probably wasn't necessary. Caveat emptor I suppose...that's why I'm grateful for this forum.
My opinion is that Motolectric was smart enough to take a simple project which people had been doing on their own for quite some time and provide a plug-and-play for convenience. More power to him for being wise enough to do that. But, in no way is his product over engineered. As for the oxygen free copper benefits, just do the research and see if the calculations would provide any measurable difference.
Bottom line, he is selling convenience. That same convenience can be provided elsewhere. But, we all make our own choices and those choices are correct.....for us. ;D
OnD, exactly. I have mental blocks against electrical work, as simple as it is. You should be proud of your work and home made tools for such, but that is prob. over my head or willingness to try. I try to do the work I can such as brakes or tune ups. The Motolectric $120 price was quite hard to swallow when other kits were $75 and perform the same function, but none appeared as good to me-check their site- yes, they're prob. over engineered. My ole M900 deserves a splurge once in a while and after my and a friends exp. working w/ the motolectric owner, his customer service is excellent so I like to support his products. Fyi, it appears all motodynamic kits are made to order.
Its kind of like my LED integrated taillight- you can get the cheap Chinese one for $25-35 all day long on fleabay, but the high end $75 motodynamic one has more LEDs and features, and is brighter. While saving for the $75 one, a friend upgraded to the motodynamic on his S4R, so I'm now running his old Chinese version I got for $20. Still, its so much better than stock incandescent. Save here, spend there : )