Brand new to this forum and proud new owner of a 2002 R1150R. I'm going to be buying a Powerlet handle bar outlet and wanted to know if there's any way to access the battery terminals w/o removing the tank.
Oh and here I am on my new ride. Looking forward to some good times.
I wouldn't recommend trying to access the battery terminals without removing the tank. As you are planning to add a power-let, I presume that you aren't afraid of wrenching. Removal of the tank is really quite simple and doesn't take long. Helpful hints are to have a good spot prepared for the tank before your remove it, have as little fuel in the tank as possible, and make sure that any fuel lines are not zip tied or otherwise connected to the bike frame before you try to lift the tank (that last one I learned while lifting a nearly full tank only to find it didn't want to let go of the bike ).
As long as you are at it, I'd recommend doing a few other things, in case they haven't been handled already.
1. Cut the zip ties around the wiring harness (under the headlight). Do a brief search on the forum and you will find ample discussion of this. Also, see here (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17819) for a diagram and one of the more recent conversations about this.
2. You will also want to verify that the quick disconnects are not the original plastic pieces. The QDs are located on the right side of the bike, just under the tank, near where your right knee would be while on the bike. Again, search this site for discussion on it. Effectively, the original plastic parts will break eventually. And as your bike is an '02, it's likely that they've either been replaced or they need to be now, before they break and you have fuel spilling on the bike and your boot and wind up stranded on the side of the road.
Removing the tank can be daunting the first time, but you can find youtube and places here with good instructions. Putting it back on is an equal (non) ordeal. If you are going to have the tank off, strongly consider changing out the quick disconnects if your bike has the OEM ones. That is a task you can do easily and the oems will fail, just a question of when and where.
And while the battery terminal can be accessed without removing the tank, your sanity will thank you if you do remove the tank, especially if you are going to mount the powerlet somwhere where running the wires to it would be helped by having the tank out of your way.
John
PS My Stella! is that color and I always get compliments on her. Arterial Blood Red
'09 SchwarzeBlanche DuBois Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Brand new to this forum and proud new owner of a 2002 R1150R. I'm going to be buying a Powerlet handle bar outlet and wanted to know if there's any way to access the battery terminals w/o removing the tank.
Oh and here I am on my new ride. Looking forward to some good times.
]
I am going to do the same, I have had the tank off a couple of times, (it looks more intimidating than it is) some good advise as what else to do, esp the quick disconnects! (they will fail in time) Have you purchased your Powerlet harness yet? I only see two listed a 60" ( a lot long) & a 24" which could be a little short. I was wondering just what your thoughts are on these lengths, mnn
I think the 24 would be plenty depending on where you mount. You could always splice in some lamp cord if a little short but 24 may be well long enough.
'09 SchwarzeBlanche DuBois Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Dr. Strangelove wrote:I think the 24 would be plenty depending on where you mount. You could always splice in some lamp cord if a little short but 24 may be well long enough.
Thanks, I think it would be ok also, looking through my electrical arsenal I came across this, it is the "Powerlet" brand, so the next time the tank is off, this will be put on. mnn
A tip that may not be necessary - after carefully removing the oil cooler covers (remove the screws then lift the cover up) put some dielectric grease on the plastic studs and the grommets they fit into. This will make getting them off much easer next time.
Looking forward to some good times.
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