Hey all,

Looking at hiding a small batter in a custom seat frame later on down the road.

https://www.enduropowerbatteries.com/products/enduro-power-baja-series-12v-24ah-deep-cycle-lithium-battery?variant=42279724351652&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&absrc=Google&abid=&abcampid=17745409152&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtamlBhD3ARIsAARoaEy_Izq-4ofb5xzQBMkl3ISwlDKW5edsfrQKE5nssU3E23wpmqhY5pcaAteMEALw_wcB

Found this 12v 24ah battery - should match the specs of the bike?

Is a lithium battery a bad choice?
And does anyone have a better idea for a small hidden battery for my cafe racer?

Lithium is definately a bad choice because the K's charging system will fry it. Lithium batteries need special chargers; some lithum batteries that are specifically for motorcycles have a built-in charging regulator but that's spelt e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e. Try looking for an AGM (advanced glass mat) battery. As you're in the US, MotoBatt AGM batteries are made down in Jacksonville FL so a phone call may help.

Personally, I successfully managed a 12 amp Bikemaster Li-ion (Tucker Powersports' in-house brand - I used to be a local rep) for nearly seven years in Big Block. It is often stated that a charging system should be 'optimised' for their use. In fact, Euro Moto Electric sells an L-I specific version when upgrading Airhead charging systems to higher output. From my experience at Motorline BMW with cars, they sometimes require a software touch up to accept L-I batteries when swapping over from AGM. 

I had no troubles with the alternator doing in the little unit in my K. The bike doesn't have any instrumentation connected and the charging system lights right up to full charge (14.3V) just off idle, so the oft-reported myth of a required charge warning light to 'excite' the circuit didn't hold true in my experience. I replaced it with another Li-Ion from Parts Unlimited - LI don't give much warning when they fail. I regularly use an LI specific charger (Noco) for just a few minutes about once every coupla months throughout the winter when the bike is stored. Just don't use a pulse or maintenance charger on an LI, as you would to reduce sulfation on lead-acid or AGM.

But seven years is seven years. That's what I typically get from a good quality AGM. I even got six years' use from a lead-acid battery in my R100 Mystic, recently. I replaced that with a nine year old garage spare Odyssey PC680 that's going strong.

Two Wheels Better wrote:I replaced that with a nine year old garage spare Odyssey PC680 that's going strong.

Old Odysseys used to be excellent batteries. I still run one 10 years old, in spite of 3 deep discharges, it's still OK.
But recent Odysseys...sadly, it became pure crap. Don't even last 6 months. I talked "off" with a dealer in Europe who confessed that the quality of these batteries had disappeared and that he had nothin but problems with this stuff.

Avoid it now.

jbt wrote:But recent Odysseys...sadly, it became pure crap. .

Here's how it worked eight years ago back in olden times when they were using pure lead.