MGB AGM M/C battery

[MGBGM1977]

I got tired of the battery and the mess in the trunk of my 1974 MGB. Kind of a pain behind the seat too. I decided to give this AGM battery out of my 1984 Goldwing motorcycle a try. 350cca 21ah battery, it starts very well. So far I am very pleased with the results. I glued a rubber pad behind and underneath the battery and secure it with a heavy duty rubber tarp strap.It doesn't move. Plenty of room and easy to get to. Only time will tell if it will last.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

I'll be interested to hear how it fares over the long haul. Don't imagine that it weighs much, either.

 

[MGBGM1977]

18 pounds. I understand a lot of people use Miata batteries. This one is close to the same specs. The old Goldwing is a four cylinder 1200cc boxer engine. This battery spins my MG engine over as fast as a larger battery and my car starts quick. I don't feel like it's loading the battery very hard. As I said though, only time will tell. I have had a lot better luck with the AGM battery as opposed to a flooded acid battery lasting much longer in the bike.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Thanks - oh, and welcome to the BCF!


Mickey

 

[MGBGM1977]

Thanks, Happy to be here.

 

[DrEntropy]

I'll be interested to learn how well that works out, too. I have scant space in the same location as yours is placed (air horns and compressor, extra relays installed) but it should fit in the original position.

And as Mickey stated: Welcome to th' fray.

Be you Air Force? The F-15 avatar has me curious.

 

[PAUL161]

I use the Optima battery, no acid there either. PJ

 

[drooartz]

Welcome! I have the Miata battery in my B, it's worked great for years. Definitely interested in how this one works for you.

 

[LarryK]

I used the Optima battery in my 03 Cooper S, seemed like a good choice for track time. Only lasted 5 yrs. Went back to get new, and found the stock battery weighed less and I could get 7 yrs out of it. Car is 16, run hard and battery still as new. Might try the AGM next.

 

[MGBGM1977]

I'll be interested to learn how well that works out, too. I have scant space in the same location as yours is placed (air horns and compressor, extra relays installed) but it should fit in the original position.

And as Mickey stated: Welcome to th' fray.

Be you Air Force? The F-15 avatar has me curious.

Used to be Air Force many years ago. F-15 Weapons Puke. 33rd TFW at Eglin AFB.
Here are the specs on this battery. The old Goldwing is down for now and I needed a battery for the MG. I thought "Why not try it".

 

[DrEntropy]

Used to be Air Force many years ago. F-15 Weapons Puke. 33rd TFW at Eglin AFB.

:thumbsup: A few years before you: 1365th, 1361st & 601st Photo... "Aerial Combat Documentation Photographer." a.k.a. "Still Photo Weenie." :smirk:

 

[MGBGM1977]

Picture taken during a joint exercise with the German Air Force I was on in the 1980's.

 

[DrEntropy]

Nice shot! Never got an F-15 hop, they were still in blue & orange wingtips. A few F-4 rides with 8th TFW though. One was memorable...

 

[MGBGM1977]

The 33rd TFW had F-4s up to 1978, then transitioned to F-15s. I got there in Dec. 1979. They now are training wing for F-35s. My Air Force time was short, but some of the best days of my life. Spent the next 30 years in Public Works for a small city just outside the gate of Eglin AFB. Love them jets!

Back to MGs, the Lucas alternator in my '74 was putting out 16 volts and made quite a mess of the wet lead acid battery that was in the trunk when I got the car. I am cleaning up that mess now after my battery change and a new Delco alternator. Lots of things to do to it yet, but just trying to put it on the road for this summer. It is in good condition other than a lot of interior work and a good paint job down the road. Helping to keep this old retired guy off the streets and out of trouble-haha

 

[DrEntropy]

Looks good. "SnugTop" hardtop... nice.

I recently converted our B to an alternator, did the negative ground change-over back in '05~'06 during the rebuild. Added a period correct voltmeter and clock from Nisonger on a bespoke center console.

Incidentally, I'm right under the turn for final approach down here at MacDill AFB. Lots of KC-135's, some C-17's occasionally. Also infrequent visits by some "odd" single-seaters: F-5 two-flight last month, assuming some foreign AF doing refueling practice.

 

[MGBGM1977]

I got to fly in a KC-135 once during a fueling mission. Lay down next to the boom operator and watched F-15s and A-10s refuel. Loved that opportunity. F-5s are pretty cool jets. I knew Col. Frank Emory that commanded the Scoshi Tigers F-5 squadron in Vietnam testing the F-5s capabilities. After he retired, he lived in the city where I worked outside the Eglin gate. He sure had a lot of stories to tell.