[Justin1958]

Good Morning,
Brand new to this bike, but have worked on a ton of older 6 volt cars where you want thicker gauge battery cables than those easily purchased for a 12 volt system.

What gauge is best for this 6 Volt bike?

Thank you,
Justin

 

[Alan F.]

Seeing as the main fuse for that bike is 20 Amps, 12 gauge should be sufficient. If you have 10 ga. that'll work too. 14 ga. is too small.

 

[Scramblr]

After a little research it appears the 1980 model CM200 is a 6 volt system, while the 1981-82 models are 12 volt. I found a 6v battery listed online that is rated for 98 cold cranking amps. I would recommend 4 gauge stranded wire good for 105 amps at temps of 60C/140F.

 

[Alan F.]

Is it odd?

Since 78-80 were 6v, and 81-82 were 12v is it odd that the starter wire on the 80 CM200 is the same for 80,81,82
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/32410-304-000

And the battery ground cable is the same for 78 CM185, 79 CM185, 80 CM200
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/32601-402-000?ref=dfe12dba72c2fcca7eb929c35d871d9185a95b0b

 

[J-T]

Fuse is irrelevant, cables must carry sufficient amperage to run the starter motor which is not fused. Can't find a spec in the parts fiche but, if you follow Scramblr's advice you won't go wrong.

 

[Bill H]

I used a size 6 wire on a ca 160 6 volt system without any problems but a size 4 might be better.

Bill

 

[Justin1958]

Thanks everyone. I'll go with the 4 gauge.
Justin

 

[Alan F.]

Since 78-80 were 6v, and 81-82 were 12v is it odd that the starter wire on the 80 CM200 is the same for 80,81,82
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/32410-304-000

And the battery ground cable is the same for 78 CM185, 79 CM185, 80 CM200
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/32601-402-000?ref=dfe12dba72c2fcca7eb929c35d871d9185a95b0b

Strange that nobody had an opinion on this...

 

[tbpmusic]

Strange that nobody had an opinion on this...

The heavier wire would be no problem on a 12-volt, other than an over-design - Honda probably had a zilllion of them in stock............