Motorcycle Repair: Rated ah capacity of battery, bikes design, amp battery

Question
Hey Falcon - I have an older Ducati that is tough to start on cold mornings.  The battery I have is rated at 16 ah and I have found one that will fit that is rated at 20 ah.  That should give me quite a bit more cranking power right?  ...also, will the increased rating put an undue strain on the charging system?
Thanks.
Dan  

Answer
Hi Dan.
 The answer to both your questions is yes.  A higher amp battery will do that.  It will also damage the CDI box (which is rated for the amps that are in the bikes design specs), blow out lightbulbs, burn up fuses and wreak havoc on most of the rest of your more sensitive electrical components.  It's amazing what 4 amps can do.  Remember Apollo 13?  Your problem won't be that critical, but will require you to upgrade nearly every electrical and electronic component on the bike.  And that will be costly.

A cheaper solution may be to keep a couple of cans of automotive starter fluid around.  Spray a bit into the intake immediately prior to startup and she should fire right up.  And it is much cheaper.
I know it works for my bike, just like it worked for our military trucks when I was overseas.

Good luck.
FALCON