2 hours ago, avi4tor said:

The battery I bought yesterday from Halfords had one, the one I bought online just after lockdown for my Triumph Stag also had one.

 The lower end batteries still have them, if you go for a Halfords battery with a 3 year guarantee it will have the vent and possibly a little red elbow piece to attach a tube.

 

The better range of batteries they sell like the Calcium ones that have 4 year guarantee do not have a vent.

6 hours ago, nta16 said:

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Is this why the the bolt holding the securing foot / bar clamp was at an angle (or perhaps a different physical size replacement battery from factory original).

 

Do you know why you only got 4 years out of your previous battery?

 

No to the first question, the battery fitted perfectly in the plastic and felt sleeving.  The captive nut for the bolt had been mounted at an angle because the securing plate needed to be at a slight angle.

 

To the second question, I took it back to the garage I bought it from yesterday and they are putting it on their fancy bit of test kit.  I think it lost 1 cell, though I don't know why.  Looking online the maker only gives 1 year or 3 year warranties with their current offerings.

 

The battery for my Stag was a Calcium one and had the vent and vent plug.