05 07 18 1999 V max Battery Install

05-07-18 We had a late start for our motorcycle season this year in Wisconsin. A couple of late snowstorms and low temperatures kept the bikes in the garage. They also tend to dump a lot of salt and sand on the roads so you need a couple of good rains to clean things up. Today we have an eighty three degree day and it turned out to be a great day to replace the battery in my 1999 Yamaha V max. I only have 9361 miles on this bike so it is still pretty young miles wise. The compression is pretty high on this bike so you need a good battery to turn this thing over. Now I can go harass some Mustangs. Do something nice for someone today.

[@alanjones7790]

Thanks for sharing....used this video today as had to change the battery in my VMax for the first time. You video made the task so much easier than it would have been without it.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Glad it helped you out. They really have that battery tucked away in a miserable spot.

[@steveclark5206]

Just wanted to let you know that years later your video is still helping people change their battery, including me. Thanks for posting it. My 96 is slightly different it seems - I have some screws where you had bolts and vice versa. I guess it could be that the previous owner used what he had on hand. A lot of the screws were rounded out, so he was probably trying to use a Phillips head screwdriver instead of the proper JIS ones. I’d highly recommend a set of Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) screwdrivers to anyone if they’re going to work on their motorcycle. If anyone reading this is switching their battery for a “Red Top” sealed Odyssey PC680 battery, you might want to install the positive battery cable bolt BEFORE you put the coil packs back into place. The Odyssey’s terminal bolt holes are closer together than a standard lead battery. The coil pack and main fuse housing makes it nearly impossible to thread in the + pos bolt, so doing it first and then putting the coil pack on is a lot easier. The negative bolt was a little more accessible after the coil pack was in place, plus I didn’t like the idea of a hooked up battery while messing with the coils! So I installed the coils and used my finger and the edge of flat tip screwdriver to get the -neg bolt started and was then able to (barely) use the open end of a 10mm wrench to tighten it down. Took awhile but it worked and now my V-Max is running strong, especially since 4 of my lead battery’s cells were totally dry! Thanks again for posting your video and making it easier to follow than using the tech manual or just “winging it”.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Glad it helped you out. I had a lead acid battery in mine and had the same problem with the battery cells boiling dry. It is such a pain to get to I didn’t check it as often as I should. I replaced it with a gel cell battery and that solved that problem. During the winter it stayed on a battery tender for quite a few months, so I didn’t have to worry about it boiling dry. I ended up selling my Vmax and am now down to one bike. The Vmax was a fun bike and I miss not having it but I don’t miss working on it. Especially when it came to working on the carburetors.

[@joepolite4673]

Great and best tutorial on youtube for the v-max 1200…

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Thank you.

[@ShaighJosephson]

Thanks... What a project to swap batteries... I'm going in for the first time... Wish me luck... 🤣🙂

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

That is one of the harder batteries to change compared to the other bikes I owned. The first battery I replaced I put in a lead acid battery. Taking it out and filling the electrolyte level back up was a pain. I ended up putting a gel cell battery with a battery tender on it. With the high compression of the motor you need a good battery. Hope things went well for you.

[@souperwulf]

Great video, and beautiful Vmax! Thank you for sharing 👍🏼

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Thank you.

[@tittyrino]

Beautiful Bike and well maintained. Thanks for sharing

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Thank you.

[@tittyrino]

Yesterday I bought a dark red 1985 Vmax with 11,000 original miles it was kept indoors its whole life and very well-maintained I am very excited to have it and I’m going to be replacing the battery next week and changing all the fluids and getting a new set of tires to be .ready for summer time.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

@@tittyrino Wow, that is a great find. They are getting harder to find in good shape. I ended up selling mine a couple of years ago because I am getting too old. I made sure I sold it to someone that would take care of it. It sounds like you got yourself a great bike. Enjoy.

[@pmgmotorcycles]

Great video! Thanks for Sharing.

[@vinylexperience77]

Put a strap around new new battery when you drop it in. That way when you need to pull it out you use the straps.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

That is a great idea. Thank you.

[@vinylexperience77]

@@OnTheEdgeNow I use that trick on my Vmax, it works fantastic.

[@rafh7449]

Thanks man. Gave me confidence. Not changing battery but hooking up a usb phone charger for a longer ride and needed to know how to get around all the cables. Right on.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

They defiantly don't make the battery easy to get to. Glad everything worked out for you.

[@CrazeAndrei]

Great video helped a lot, I did this and discovered some left over parts when reinstalling :)) and checked online for exploded drawings to find where the part went. Basically dont rush through it and pay attention to what you are removing.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

I usually take pictures with my phone. It's nice to be able to go back and see how it was put together.

[@goldendoodletreasures]

Awesome real time video. You seem like a very well rounded common sense Guy! Thank-you! God Bless! :)

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

I appreciate the kind words. I was very fortunate to grow up old school with a dad that was a jack of all trades. The one thing found is, it is much better to buy a gel cell battery. The electrolyte goes down with the floating charger on the lead acid battery and as you can see it is a bear to get to the battery. I ended up buying a gel cell and installed it before the new battery went bad, but it was worth the money to reduce the maintenance on the battery. Cost me a few extra bucks but it was worth it. Lesson learned.

[@crazee6821]

Thank you for sharing.... great bike 👍

[@angowT]

Mine is a 2002 which I've had from new. Man, the battery is a real pain. I keep mine one a maintenance charger and every now and then have to top up the electrolyte. It's impossible to see the the levels through the tiny viewing window and it's a job that should be simple, that I hate. There's a lot on this gorgeous bike that takes commitment from the owner. I love it though.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

It is a miserable job getting to the battery on this bike. I bought a lead acid battery for this bike but went to a gell cell battery so I didn't have to take the battery out and top off the battery level. After the change to the gell cell battery and a battery tender that ended the big job of battery maintenance. There is also the cosmetic maintenance that needs to be done on a regular basis. Anything aluminum needs to be cleaned and waxed on a regular basis or the aluminum will oxide pretty quick. The bike is a lot of work but well worth the effort in the cool factor in owning one.

[@tanktankerson1042]

I have a 2007 Vmax and a 2004 VTX1300s, bought them both new and I'll never part with them. The battery on the Vmax is really buried deep and I found the charging wire off the 3 phase stator was crimped so hard to the main voltage charging wire near the battery that the crimp itself broke quite a few of the strands of wire at the factory. With a now smaller wire, the resistance increased and my charging system voltage was only 12.2. This is notorious for the first Gen Vmax and Yamaha never fixed this problem themselves. I removed the crimp and soldered in a fresh piece of wire along with heat shrink and my charging system voltage is now 13.3. You probably already knew all this but I just wanted to share some Vmax info with you.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

I did not know that, very interesting. I ended up selling my Vmax. I am getting old and thought it was time to let someone else enjoy it. When the person came to buy it that showed a big excitement in owning it I adjusted the price so he could afford it. He offered to let me come over any time and ride it. I was glad to see him get it and felt much better knowing it was going to someone that would appreciate it.

[@tanktankerson1042]

@@OnTheEdgeNow It is a lot of bike and I bought mine new back in 2007, the last year they made the gen 1 1200cc bike. I fly jets so I'm use to speed but I also like riding in a cruiser position, these tupperware torpedoes don't do anything for me. I too am getting up there in the years but it is nice to have a choice when I ride between the VTX and the Vmax. You guys sure do have some beautiful riding weather up there in Wisconsin. I'll be watching more of your videos in the future.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

​@@tanktankerson1042 I bought a new 2008 CBR1000rr off the show room floor, but ended up selling it with 795 miles on it. I realized I was either going to end up in jail or dead if I kept that bike. The CBR was so well refined. It would stop on a dime, take corners at a high speed, and would accelerate so hard you physically had to hold on so the bike would not shoot out from underneath you. The Vmax was powerful but there was a little skill level involved in maneuvering it around at high speeds. It was a fun bike and always got looks when I was riding it. My favorite thing to do was pull up behind a Mustang at a stop light. I would position myself so I was right in the middle of his rear view mirror and rev it up just a little. When the light would turn green there was always smoke coming off the Mustangs rear wheels. It was a lot of fun. Now I just have the VTX and am happy to just cruise around in the countryside. There are a lot of beautiful areas to ride in where I am living.

[@tanktankerson1042]

@@OnTheEdgeNow Wow! That was a killer bike, it must have been a hard decision for sure. I know what you mean about the Vmax, takes an artist's touch to master it as you well know. I love my VTX, it just gives you a ride that relaxes you and puts a smile on your face "but" it's no slouch when you hit the throttle.

[@freebird1ification]

what does yours idle at warmed up mine is running about 1100 rpm that seems high to me this is my first 1 its a 2006 and i love the bike but wonering what you guys are getting with yours

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Great video, thank God i found you, ive been scratching my head for a while, looked at another video and he said, just undo the 2 bolts each side and lift the whole thing off, idiot, great video and nicely explained, thankyou.

[@majoouellette4057]

Hello :) I changed my battery today thanks for the video 👍

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Glad it helped you out.

[@ryanmuhe1856]

Great stuff

[@danielwatson8778]

Usefull Video, Look at the shape of the battery nut and the shape of the battery terminal. You have the nut fitted 90 degrees out....

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

If you freeze frame and magnify, what you are seeing is a piece of cardboard I use to force the battery nut up. This keeps the battery nut from falling out and makes it easier to start the battery bolt. It holds the nut up against the top of the battery lug, so when you start the bolt the nut is centered in the hole and does not move around. I leave the cardboard in and it doesn't seem to hurt anything. Been doing this for years.

[@ronmabey8491]

I had a "92" V max. Great bike but battery access was awful (as this video demonstrates). No one makes a maintenance free battery for the Max and so replacement can be made only with the old lead acid battery as shown in the video. However, you can save yourself a lot of grief by doing what I did; replace the old battery with a totally maintenance free lithium battery. Sure, it costs more $110- $120 but well worth it. I installed a lithium battery (much smaller and lighter than the original) in my Max. I found all electrical components, including the starter, performed much better. I sold the bike 3.5 years later and the same lithium battery was still there performing flawlessly. I never used a battery tender on the lithium battery. I've had two more bikes since I sold my V max and I've put lithium batteries in both with the same positive results.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

The lithium batteries are getting more popular and I believe worth the money. I have been using gel batteries and have had pretty good luck with them. The main thing to make them last longer is to keep them charged.

[@georgemacdonald5282]

What a nightmare just to get at a battery, you would think the manufacturers would make it a lot easier, i had a bimota and all you did was remove 2 bolts and cover the remove another 2 bolts to remove the strap that holds down the battery and undo the battery posts and remove battery, probably less than 5 minutes.

[@miq9091]

Great video the 1 major thing I learned was that I DONT have the patience to change it out meself I own a 1993 VMAX

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

After a couple of seasons of taking the battery out I went to a gel cell and battery tender. No more checking water levels in the battery after that.

[@markdoyle9184]

Excellent video

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Glad you enjoyed it. That is quite the bike.

[@chadayotte5347]

Thanks I needed to know

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Glad it helped you.

[@tangledline]

Invest in some ratchet wrenches...saved me a knuckle or 2.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

I have a set but I forget I have them in my box and go back to the usual methods. I do use them a little more at work. They work pretty slick.

[@michaelsphotosandvideos5896]

Or swivel head for your ratchet. I that’s what I use and I get those seat bolts in/out in seconds.

[@markdoyle9184]

Thanks for that

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

You are welcome.

[@brianp1553]

What did you use to clean the wiring? Took mine apart to change the battery and its filthy

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

When I bought mine, it was in showroom condition. I store it during the winter and before I store it, I give it a good cleaning. Mine never really gets dirty. If you are talking about corrosion on the battery cable ends baking soda and water will neutralize any acid and a wire brush or sandpaper will get rid of any remaining corrosion. They also make a spray that comes in a can that you can usually buy at a parts house or any store with an automotive section. It does the same thing as the baking soda.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

The Battery in my Yamaha Snowmobile is 13 years old .. It's an R-1 Motor basically ...

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

13 years is excellent service from any battery. An R-1 motor must really make that thing fly.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@OnTheEdgeNow It has 155 HP the Clutch holds the RPM's to 10,500 RPM .. With a Turbo many trail sleds have 250 HP .. Drag sleds can put out 450 HP with the right Turbo ..

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@OnTheEdgeNow I keep a battery tender on it all summer long..

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

@@mikeskidmore6754 That must be quite a ride. I always liked the R-1 motor. I owned a CBR1000RR and that was one of the fastest bikes I have been on. The power you can get out of a 1000cc motor is incredible.

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

@@mikeskidmore6754I kept a battery tender on during riding season and then would take the battery inside and put it on a tender during the winter months. I had pretty good luck using gel cell batteries. I would like to try a lithium battery some time and see how well they work.

[@markdoyle9184]

I’m thinking of buying a 1993 model would you recommend it?

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

I will give you my opinion but you have to realize it is just that. I have ridden for 46 years . I started out on a dirt bike and at one time owned a CBR100rr. If this is the only bike you are going to own I would say no. They are hard to work on, they are heavy, parts are harder to find, and the heat from the motor is uncomfortable on your legs on a hot summer day. Gas millage is around 25 mpg. so plan on filling up every 100 miles or so with premium fuel. The motor has a LOT of low end torque so unless you have some experience it can get you in trouble at low speeds. So why did I own one? I loved the way the motor sounded. I loved the looks of the bike. You either love the looks or hate it. I loved the tons of low end torque. If you were willing to manhandle the bike it is a blast to ride. It was a little unpredictable so it always kept you on your toes. The CBR1000rr wanted to please you , the Vmax made you work for it. Would I own another one? Absolutely. I would really like to try a newer one out that had a 1700 cc motor. Again, if it is your only bike, or your first bike, I would say no. If it is a bike you want to ride occasionally to get your adrenaline running, and it is in good shape go for it. At the time I owned mine I had 3 bikes so I only put about 300 miles a year on it.

[@dogstew3207]

my 2001 doesn't look like that simaler I don't think it works like that maby I'm rong I just can't do this to my 2001 I've been trying all morning

[@grahamhale8844]

lost the will to live after 20 mins ,took 10mins to get seat off , 45mins to change battery, if rebuild the engine going to take years

[@OnTheEdgeNow]

Wait till you try to do a little carburetor work.