Skip to content
  • Home
  • Autos
  • Audio
  • Bikes
  • Batteries
  • Detailing
  • Oils
  • Parts
  • Questions
  • Roof Boxes
  • Scanners

How to Revive a Dead Motorcycle Battery

Written BySteve Riley Hours Updated on22/08/2023
Battery Trickle Charger
Photo by Alejandro camero

Guide for Reviving a Dead Motorcycle Battery

Your motorcycle battery just died, and you cannot afford to buy a new one yet. The only option is to revive it, but you do not know how it is done. Read on to discover how to revive a dead bike battery and ensure your next battery doesn’t die prematurely.

Table of Contents
  • Guide for Reviving a Dead Motorcycle Battery
  • Can You Revive a Dead Motorcycle Battery
  • How to Revive a Dead Motorcycle Battery
    • Step 1.  Precautionary Measures
    • Step 2.  Remove the battery
    • Step 3: Drain the acid
    • Step 4. Prepare the Epsom solution
    • Step 5. Charge the battery
  • Tips on Reviving Motorcycle Batteries
  • Why Batteries Fail Prematurely
    • Battery Overload
    • Poor Ground Connection
    • Parasitic Leak
    • Faulty Alternator
  • Conclusion

 The concept of battery revival has been a lifesaver for many motorcycle owners. If you were racking your brain on what to do about your dead battery when you are low on cash, this is no doubt a welcome option.

You can revive a lead acid battery by draining the electrolyte (sulphuric acid) and replacing it with an Epsom salt solution. It doesn’t bring the battery back to 100% performance but you can count on at least 80% performance for a couple of months or even a year.

04/10/2023 2:01 am
  • Foval Automatic Trickle Battery Charger 12V 1000mA Smart Battery Charger
    Foval Automatic Trickle Battery Charger 12V 1000mA Smart Battery Charger
    • (Safety with ETL Listed): Spark proof during lead connection, reverse polarity protected and includes a 8 foot output cord and 2 year warranty
    • Perfect for all lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell), also Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Absorption Mode, Float
    $ 19.98
  • 1.75-Amp Car Battery Charger, 6V and 12V Smart Fully Automatic
    1.75-Amp Car Battery Charger, 6V and 12V Smart Fully Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Battery Desulfator for Car, Lawn Mower, Motorcycle, Boat, Marine Lead Acid Batteries
    • 【Battery Charger, Maintainer & Desulfator】An compact size portable 4 in 1 battery charger, battery maintainer, trickle charger, and battery desulfator. Perfect for all types of 6-volt and 12-volt lead-acid automotive, RV, powersport, and deep-cycle batteries, including flooded, gel, AGM, SLA, VRLA and maintenance-free batteries, suitable for cars, golf
    $ 19.99

 A dead motorcycle battery which doesn’t take charge is most likely as a result of sulfation. This is the number one cause of early failure in lead-acid batteries. It happens when the sulphuric acid starts breaking down. As this happens, sulfur crystals form and stick to the lead plates. The result is lead sulfate crystals on the plates.

As the process continues, the crystals grow in size and harden. If nothing is done, they can cover the lead plates completely, drastically reducing the battery’s ability to generate electric current.

When the battery dies, it is possible to revive it by creating a new electrolyte and recharging it.

Can You Revive a Dead Motorcycle Battery

The possibility of reviving a dead motorcycle battery depends on various factors. A dead battery can occur due to prolonged inactivity, extreme weather conditions, or the natural aging process.

However, there are techniques commonly employed to attempt battery revival. The first step involves ensuring proper safety measures, such as working in a well-ventilated area and wearing protective gear.

Then, the battery terminals must be cleaned to remove any corrosion or buildup.

Using a voltmeter, the voltage of the battery should be checked to determine if it is completely dead or if it still holds some residual charge.

If the battery shows no charge, a battery charger can be utilized to attempt a jump-start. Following the manufacturer's instructions for the specific charger being used is crucial.

After connecting the charger to the battery, it should be left to charge for a sufficient time, usually a few hours, until the voltage reaches a suitable level.

If the battery remains unresponsive after attempting a charge, it may indicate irreversible damage, requiring a replacement.

How to Revive a Dead Motorcycle Battery

A dead motorcycle battery can be revived by draining the sulphuric acid and replacing it with another electrolyte. Let’s look at how to revive a battery using an Epsom salt solution.

What you will need:

  • Epsom salt
  • Distilled water
  • Crescent wrench
  • Small plastic funnel

For safety purposes:

  • A pair of goggles
  • A pair of gloves

Step 1.  Precautionary Measures

If you have just got off your bike then take a few minutes to let the battery cool.

The electrolyte in the battery is sulphuric acid which is very corrosive. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing gloves and a pair of goggles. Choose a well ventilated area to work

Step 2.  Remove the battery

Use a crescent wrench to loosen the connectors. Lift the battery out and set it aside.

Step 3: Drain the acid

Carefully lower the battery to pour the acid from each cell into a plastic container. Be sure to lower it away from your body to minimize chances of acid accidents

Step 4. Prepare the Epsom solution

Dissolve 8 ounces of Epsom salt into a quart of distilled water. To make it dissolve faster, you can heat up the water to about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Once all the salt is dissolved, let it cool. After that, fill each cell with the solution using a small plastic funnel to ensure no solution goes to waste.

Replace the caps and give the battery a light shake to distribute the solution evenly.

Step 5. Charge the battery

Place the battery on a slow charger. First, connect the charger to the battery terminals before switching it on at the power outlet.

Allow it to charge overnight or until the charger indicator shows full charge. Once it is fully charged, reinstall it.

Tips on Reviving Motorcycle Batteries

Here is some advice on the process.

  • Always use distilled water and never tap water. Distilled water makes it easier to dissolve the salt. Tap water also has chemicals that could gradually damage the battery.
  • Don’t use a car battery charger. Use a 6-volt trickle or a smart charger with a slow-charge option. A car charger channels more current than the small motorcycle battery can handle so it could easily damage it permanently.
  • Make sure the battery caps are off during charging. This allows any gases produced to be expelled easily.
  • Dispose of sulphuric acid appropriately. This corrosive acid can be extremely dangerous if improperly disposed of. This is not something you want to leave lying around in your garage to be dealt with later.

Reviving a lead acid battery gives it a new life. It works almost as well as new for a while. It should only be done as a stop-gap measure to buy you some time before buying a new battery.

Why Batteries Fail Prematurely

Lead acid batteries generally last between 3 and 5 years. This means it will eventually fail no matter what you do. However, some motorcycle batteries last way longer than others. These are some reasons behind premature failure.

Battery Overload

Installing many accessories shortens the lifespan of a battery. Check the owner’s manual to find out the battery's voltage and compare this to the engine's demands and basic electrical components. Chances are there is little power left over. Don’t install anything which will put unnecessary strain on the battery.

Poor Ground Connection

If the ground connection between the battery and the frame is poor, it could hamper the charging of the battery. If the battery is not fully charged, it will likely fail prematurely.

Make a point to check all the connections to ensure everything is as it should be. Use a piece of sandpaper to remove dirt and corrosion from the connectors if necessary.

Parasitic Leak

It is common to find abnormal power leaks from the battery towards certain appliances. It could be a high beam light, GPS, alarm, or other electrical component. Leaks could drain the battery dry, reducing its life expectancy.

Remove the negative battery cable to confirm if you have a parasitic leak somewhere. Place a volt-ohm meter lead between the battery's negative terminal and cable. Read the current draw. Ideally, it should read zero, and this confirms that there is no leak.

An insignificantly low reading can be ignored. If you get a reading of one amp or more, there will likely be a leak somewhere. It is time to do some investigation to find out where it is.

Faulty Alternator

The alternator’s job is to charge the battery after power is supplied to start the motorcycle engine. A faulty alternator leaves a drained battery uncharged so it cannot meet the starter demands.

This is a common problem in high-mileage motorcycles. Remember that the alternators fitted in motorcycles during manufacture don’t last very long so it should not be a big surprise when they fail.

Conclusion

Now you know how to revive a dead motorcycle battery. It helps to buy you a couple of months.  It should not be considered a permanent solution. Once you have revived it, plan to buy a new battery as soon as possible.

When you do, try not to overload it with appliances, as this reduces its lifespan. Check the ground connections regularly and watch the alternator, especially if you have had the bike for a few years.

It is bound to fail soon. Lastly, always have a multimeter handy if you suspect a parasitic leak. These leaks can dry your battery and send you back to the shop for a new battery sooner than you hoped.

04/10/2023 2:01 am
  • Battery Tender 021-0123 Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger and Maintainer,
    Battery Tender 021-0123 Junior 12V, 0.75A Battery Charger and Maintainer, Black/Green (021-0123)
    • STAY CHARGED: Battery Tender battery chargers and maintainers provide a full charge to your powersport vehicle’s battery before switching to float mode to maintain proper voltage levels for safe, long-term storage
    • EXTEND BATTERY LIFE: Compatible with all 12V lead-acid, flooded, AGM, and gel cell batteries. Complete 4-step charging
    $ 39.95 -11%
  • Battery Charger Automatic 6V 12V 1.5A, Trickle Charger Suitable for
    Battery Charger Automatic 6V 12V 1.5A, Trickle Charger Suitable for AGM Gel SLA VRLA Flood Lead-Acid Batteries, Starting Batteries for Auto Car Motorcycle, Dual Voltage Output Detection and Repair
    • 【Wide Applicability】suitable for charging 6V and 12V lead-acid batteries with a capacity of no more than 40AH, and can maintain lead-acid batteries up to 60AH, It's used charging for motorcycle, ATV, lawn mowers, boat, SUV, etc。
    • 【Automation】The charger contains an MCU chip. It charges the battery through five
    $ 24.99

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailBest Truck Battery Review Looking after your batteriesDeep Cycle Battery vs. AGM – Which Is Better? Duracell vs Interstate BatteriesDuracell Car Battery vs Interstate The Battle Between Two Brands
Post Tags: #Batteries#Deep Cycle Batteries

Auto Best Sellers

AMAZON Auto Best Sellers

Optima RED TOP Batteries


Optima Batteries 8004-003 

03/10/2023 1:41 pm
  • OPTIMA Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop Starting Battery
    OPTIMA Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop Starting Battery
    • 12-Volt, 800 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10″ x 6 7/8″ x 7 13/16″ tall, Weight: 38.8 pounds, Dual SAE & GM Posts
    • Reserve capacity of 100 minutes for constant performance
    • Optimal starting power even in bad weather
    • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island. Battery Charger:13.8
    $ 279.99

Optima Batteries 8020-164

03/10/2023 1:41 pm
  • OPTIMA Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
    OPTIMA Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
    • 12-Volt, 720 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 9.38 x 7.69 x 6.75-Inches Weight: 31.7 pounds, SAE Posts
    • Reserve capacity of 90 minutes for constant performance
    • Optimal starting power even in bad weather. Case material is Polypropylene
    • Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
    • This item is not for
    $ 269.99

Optima Batteries OPT8022-091

03/10/2023 1:41 pm
  • OPTIMA Batteries OPT8022-091 8022-091 75/25 RedTop Starting Battery
    OPTIMA Batteries OPT8022-091 8022-091 75/25 RedTop Starting Battery
    • 12-Volt, 720 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10 5/16″ x 6 13/16″ x 7 5/8″ tall, Weight: 33.1 pounds, Dual SAE & GM Posts
    • Reserve capacity of 90 minutes for constant performance
    • Optimal starting power even in bad weather
    • Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
    • This item
    $ 249.99

Optima Yellow Top Batteries


Optima Battery 8171

Optima 8171-767 DS46B24R Yellow Top Prius Battery
Take a Peak

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.


Optima Batteries OPT8014-045 

Optima Batteries OPT8014-045 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
Take a Peak

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.


Optima Batteries OPT8040-218

Optima Batteries OPT8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
Take a Peak

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Affiliate Disclosure

We are an affiliate. We hope you like our recommendations! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this website. Thank you for using our links, it helps to grow our website.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Statement

© 2023 MotorBeast Motorbeast.Org

Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Manage your privacy
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Scroll to top
  • Home
  • Autos
  • Audio
  • Bikes
  • Batteries
  • Detailing
  • Oils
  • Parts
  • Questions
  • Roof Boxes
  • Scanners
Search