Craig,

Let me add my 2 bits to the ongoing acid issue. This past weekend I was inspecting the battery and discovered all this white battery acid gunk build up setting on the frame weld. This is the weld next to where the vent tube goes through the small hole in the frame. I got a small pick and removed the battery residue and other loose debris in-order to inspect the degree of damage. What I found was that there was indeed some early stages of
degradation to the surface of the weld.

The damage at this point does not appear to be at a stage which would affect the integrity of the weld. But who can tell? What gets me is when I called the Service Manager where I bought my ACE they first put me on hold for nearly 10 mins. (made the mistake of telling the parts guy what I had discovered and asked if he was aware of any problems or recalls) hung-up and called back and asked for the service manger by name and got right through. Boy was he defensive first said he didn't know what I was talking about then later ended up saying he wasn't going to deny or admit there was such a problem, said the shop would be more than happy to help me in any way they could if something was under warranty (yea right after 3yrs.).

The more I pressed him the more double talk he gave me until I told him that there was a lot of discussion about this on the internet and finally asked him what the hell gives on this and he said there were others that he was aware of that had similar problems with battery acid damage but not aware of any factory recalls or shop bulletins, then he clamed up said he had probably already said to much. Finished by saying I should get the damage repaired as soon as possible and that they would be more than happy to help me in any way they could with calls to the factory, blah, blah, blah. So I told him I'd send an E-mail off to Honda myself to see what if anything I could learn about this issue.

So tomorrow I'll send them an e-mail to ask the question and let them know that I'll be checking with some unnamed public safety agencies and consumer advocate organizations to present them with my problem, asking them for information and advice. Bottom line here is this is a serious problem (acid accumulating on a frame weld, the main structural component of the bike) I personally don't need another unknown risk factor added to the known ones inherent in riding a motorcycle! So Camo you have another foot solider in the crusade for the truth and justice.

….(SNIP)….

I'll be sending out another message soon to let you all to let you know about the near miss I had with my Saddleman "Desperado" saddlebags by Travelcade. Another life threatening experience that I encountered this past Fall and my subsequent dealings and resolution with Travelcade. Sorry about the long winded response but they pushed my button and
your e-mail just touched it off again..

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Cameron
Date: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 4:05 PM
Subject: Battery Acid - my progress so far

For those interested, here is my progress so far on the battery acid issue.
The following is my e-mail correspondence with Alan Kohler at Yuasa, Inc.

Dear Mr. Cameron,

It is true that Yuasa has developed a new battery for use in the current VT1100C2, C3 and T. It will be called the HYB16A-AB. It will be available at any Yuasa dealer in approximately a month. A list of Certified Yuasa Dealers is on our website at www.yuasabatteries.com <http://www.yuasabatteries.com> . As far as Honda, Honda batteries, recalls, damage,
etc....they will have to answer you on that, I can not speak for them.

I hope this helps, Thanks

Alan Kohler, Yuasa, Inc.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Cameron
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 12:21 PM
To: KOHLER, ALAN
Subject: Re: HONDA BATTERY

Mr. Kohler,

Thank you for returning my e-mail. I understand you are the person in charge of the redesign of the new "T" shaped batteries for the Honda Shadow motorcycles, more specifically the 1100 ACE series.

The reason I am writing to you directly is because I have been getting the run around from Honda. I would like to hear the story straight from the horse's mouth. First I would like you to know that I have excessive damage to my motorcycle, a 1995 ACE 1100, due to acid leakage and corrosion. I know there is a new battery in testing as I have spoken to numerous people who have a new "test" battery. The only reason they have this battery is due to their perseverance with Honda of America and their local dealers. Honda has repaired or replaced almost everything rearward of the vent tube on these peoples
motorcycles yet Honda still has the nerve to tell me they have no idea what I am talking about. I am in no way trying to place blame or accuse Yuasa's of sole responsibility for this problem. I just want to know what is going on. Will the new test battery be available to all owner's in the near future? Will Honda acknowledge this problem, as it should, and issue a
recall? I think we can all agree that a $10,000 bike should not be spewing acid all over the place that eats through everything it touches.

I have letters in to Honda of America and I am still pursuing a resolution through the appropriate channels.

I look forward to your response.

Craig Cameron
 

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