Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily:

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#1 | Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Sun May 03, 2020 7:16 pm (Last edited: Sun May 03, 2020 7:22 pm)

Well a lot of us know the pains of trying to remove the battery from the "moray eel" hole on the right side.
Some possible motivators to remove:

* Say you don't want to buy a special BMW-approved CANBUS pricey battery charger right now
* Say you don't want to muck around with a self-install battery tender lead set, can't find fuse holders, worried about wires, stripping, soldering, breaking, rusting, etc. and just want to take the battery out periodically and put it on a battery tender.
* Say you want to be actually prepared to remove the battery eventually, because you'll have to for any number of reasons including they last only a couple of years on average.

I found a set of the pictured tool at Harbor Freight. I don't recall what they were formally called. I believe they were in the automotive tool section as some sort of puller.
They came in a set of 3 or 4 different lengths.
You rotate this with the tip horizontal and in the same plane (parallel) as the front-to-back plane of the bike.
Rock the battery up off the styrofoam cushion base and then slide this in so you're confident the tool tip is just beyond the inside narrow face of the battery housing.
Rotate the tool tip up vertically (90 degree to f-to-b bike plane) and then pull.
Voila, battery out and you can disconnect positive lead.

BTW, I bought these tools several years ago for a purpose I don't recall. Perceptual aptitude is a fun gimmick to have!

Cheers!

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#2 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Sun May 03, 2020 10:36 pm

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #1
Well a lot of us know the pains of trying to remove the battery from the "moray eel" hole on the right side.
Some possible motivators to remove:

* Say you don't want to buy a special BMW-approved CANBUS pricey battery charger right now
* Say you don't want to muck around with a self-install battery tender lead set, can't find fuse holders, worried about wires, stripping, soldering, breaking, rusting, etc. and just want to take the battery out periodically and put it on a battery tender.
* Say you want to be actually prepared to remove the battery eventually, because you'll have to for any number of reasons including they last only a couple of years on average.

I found a set of the pictured tool at Harbor Freight. I don't recall what they were formally called. I believe they were in the automotive tool section as some sort of puller.
They came in a set of 3 or 4 different lengths.
You rotate this with the tip horizontal and in the same plane (parallel) as the front-to-back plane of the bike.
Rock the battery up off the styrofoam cushion base and then slide this in so you're confident the tool tip is just beyond the inside narrow face of the battery housing.
Rotate the tool tip up vertically (90 degree to f-to-b bike plane) and then pull.
Voila, battery out and you can disconnect positive lead.

BTW, I bought these tools several years ago for a purpose I don't recall. Perceptual aptitude is a fun gimmick to have!

Cheers!

Are you sure you got that tool at Harbor Freight? We had something similar at the Agway store. I'm not sure what it was used for, but it located in the same section as the IDEAL Band Castrator https://www.amazon.com/Neogen-2005-PRM-C...r/dp/B000HHQGEU

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#3 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 12:54 am

Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #1
Well a lot of us know the pains of trying to remove the battery from the "moray eel" hole on the right side.

I've removed my battery 3 times in the past.

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

2nd time, to wire in my HexEZCan unit.

3rd time, to fit a new battery (quite recently in fact).

I don't recall on any of those occasions it being such a PITA job that I ever thought "I wish I had a special tool for this..."

Glad you found a solution that helped you, however.

Cheers

Paul B.

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#4 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 11:57 am (Last edited: Mon May 04, 2020 12:01 pm)

Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3
Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #1
Well a lot of us know the pains of trying to remove the battery from the "moray eel" hole on the right side.

I've removed my battery 3 times in the past.

Only 3 times?

I admit it is a pain in the ass, but once you get the knack, it�s easier. My gripe is that working on the battery in the field is nigh impossible on your own. Yeah, a SAE pigtail lets you add a charger easy. BMW added a handy jump terminal. However, if you must reach the positive terminal, you need a second set of hands. The battery is just too heavy to manipulate while trying to add terminal leads. I use a wide flathead screwdriver to pry the battery up and over the lip of the carrier (as there�s nothing to grip with my hands). Then, I use a paint stirrer as a ramp to support the battery as I slide it out. I finally use an inverted 5-gallon bucket as a �table� to support the battery while I work on it with my free hands.

Whoever at BMW thought side-insertion of a battery was a good idea needs a good talking to behind the woodshed.

At the very least, the positive terminal should also be accessible from the left side so you can insert the battery and attach leads with the battery in position.

I�m a Notary Public. RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!

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#5 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 12:33 pm

Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #4
Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3
Zitat von basskleff im Beitrag #1
Well a lot of us know the pains of trying to remove the battery from the "moray eel" hole on the right side.

I've removed my battery 3 times in the past.

Only 3 times?

I admit it is a pain in the ass, but once you get the knack, it�s easier. My gripe is that working on the battery in the field is nigh impossible on your own. Yeah, a SAE pigtail lets you add a charger easy. BMW added a handy jump terminal. However, if you must reach the positive terminal, you need a second set of hands. The battery is just too heavy to manipulate while trying to add terminal leads. I use a wide flathead screwdriver to pry the battery up and over the lip of the carrier (as there�s nothing to grip with my hands). Then, I use a paint stirrer as a ramp to support the battery as I slide it out. I finally use an inverted 5-gallon bucket as a �table� to support the battery while I work on it with my free hands.

Whoever at BMW thought side-insertion of a battery was a good idea needs a good talking to behind the woodshed.

At the very least, the positive terminal should also be accessible from the left side so you can insert the battery and attach leads with the battery in position.

why not attach leads to the jump start post? It's what most would do.

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#6 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 5:25 pm

Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

Why not use the remote positive post under the red cap?

Lee
2016 R1200RS
Iowa, USA

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#7 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 6:42 pm

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #6
Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

Why not use the remote positive post under the red cap?

Exactly this.

It's right there in the owners manual.

I ride 2016 R1200RS, 2018 R1200GSA, 2016 Honda PCX150, 2013 Piaggio BV350
my wife rides 2016 R1200RS, 2015 Honda PCX150

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#8 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Mon May 04, 2020 11:59 pm

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #6
Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

Why not use the remote positive post under the red cap?

Because I was genuinely unaware of what was under the red cap at that time. "Me? Read a manual to do a menial task like remove the battery? Hah!"

I've since learned of its existence, obviously

Cheers

Paul B.

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#9 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Tue May 05, 2020 12:15 am

Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #8
Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #6
Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

Why not use the remote positive post under the red cap?

Because I was genuinely unaware of what was under the red cap at that time. "Me? Read a manual to do a menial task like remove the battery? Hah!"

I've since learned of its existence, obviously

Cheers

Paul B.

I installed a second pigtail for a 12VDC Coax cable, before I spent any effort on finding the emergency jump start terminal.

Manuals...��.screw that stuff!!!

Old Forum Orphan

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#10 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Tue May 05, 2020 12:15 am (Last edited: Tue May 05, 2020 12:15 am)

Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #8
Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #6
Zitat von Paul B im Beitrag #3

1st time, to fit the "tails" that came with my battery charger/tender.

Why not use the remote positive post under the red cap?

Because I was genuinely unaware of what was under the red cap at that time. "Me? Read a manual to do a menial task like remove the battery? Hah!"

I've since learned of its existence, obviously

Cheers

Paul B.

I installed a second pigtail for a 12VDC Coax cable before I spent any effort on finding the emergency jump start terminal.

Manuals...��.screw that stuff!!!

Old Forum Orphan

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#11 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Tue May 05, 2020 11:01 am

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #5
why not attach leads to the jump start post? It's what most would do.

One can do that, but I found you�re limited to number of connections as there�s little space to place wires. Still reconnecting the positive lead would be easier through a hole on the left side rather than trying to work a screwdriver, guide a screw and balance the weight of the battery in your hands. The negative term is easier because you can put most of the battery in and let the carrier hold the weight while working with your hands.

I�ve found that anything more than 2 connections becomes problematic. That�s why you end up with a power distribution block for extra kit. One connection to the battery for all you add.

I�m a Notary Public. RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!

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#12 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Fri May 08, 2020 8:49 pm (Last edited: Fri May 08, 2020 9:02 pm)

Good points about in the field.

At least in the US, it is a pressure-friction fit for all purposes. Maybe it's different in the UK-Europe.

You cannot get it out with hands, fingertips, manipulation etc, alone. Sure, someone will post a video and prove me wrong, and of course such a thing will also prove, "not a pain in the ass", by any measure, And, think about it, practically every suggestion here about the battery and charging alludes to leads installed, canbus charger, "do it once and forget it" and " I was only ever in there 3 times..", which all of course support a case of it being routine and not a pain in the ass to remove the battery. "It's just too dramatic is all, why do that kind of showboating intervention???"

On the accessory post, it was great for jump-starting my bike. I thought I read something in the manual about it not being advisable to hook up leads directly to the battery, but rather go through the accessory port with a special charger. I'll look at again, and maybe it's BMW brainwashing.

Anyhow, that's great if it all works and many have a nice clean lead install. I was about to go there but couldn't find a fuse holder locally and thought, wait a minute, if I can get the battery out, regularly and easily, I'll just charge it as needed or in the off season on my battery tender.

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#13 | RE: Here's a way to get the PITA battery out of right side more easily: datum

Sun May 10, 2020 3:56 pm (Last edited: Sun May 10, 2020 3:59 pm)

5 years ago I fitted charger tails on day 2.

Have never had to remove the battery yet.

I�ll look out those special tools for the Big Day in future

If I ever remove it I�ll put it back in with a length of plastic parcel strap wrapped round it for easy removal second time.

Carpe Diem!

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