Cold start-

[HypnoToad]

Just got the first cold night in Ireland around about 1 Celsius /34 Fahrenheit

The bike left outside with a thick cover.
new battery
serviced recently
Carbs rebuilt by professional 6 months ago

Pressing the start button with any chock will not work.
it started for a 1/2 a second and idled at 300 RPM and cuts out. wont start next press.

Has this dam problem last year. no difference.

what should I relpace next...


PS.. I have heard that you should put the choke on at night so when you get up in the morning there will be no damp in the carbs.

[DefTrap]

The old fashioned way? A squirt of WD and / or removing the two easily accessible plugs to warm them up, maybe. A bit of a PITA mind ...

[HypnoToad]

A squirt of WD

Down one of the spark plugs holes.?? or take off the tank/airfilter and down the carbs??

removing the two easily accessible plugs

There must be a better way of doing this.. everyday...

I jumped it from the car in the end. I know its not the best way of doing it but it started and I had to get to work this morning the world does not spin unless I do my job...

[DefTrap]

Down one of the spark plugs holes.?? or take off the tank/airfilter and down the carbs??

I'd normally just do the caps and leads.

There must be a better way of doing this.. everyday...

I'd agree with that, it wasn't -that- cold last night either.

I jumped it from the car in the end. I know

Does this not mean that your batteries not up to the job? You can fit a slightly taller battery in there - I'm guessing that would give you more oooomph.

[HypnoToad]

The problem happen last year in the winter...so jumped it from the car...
Since it started so good that way I decide to get a new battery. but same problem continued.

Is there a 12V battery with more AMP's that would do the job??

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

Cold batteries don't like to start, I live in a fairly mild climate but in the dead of winter my battery got weak. The solution was a battery tender, pop it on at night and its topped up and most importantly warm in the morning.

[HypnoToad]

Had a look at them not to bad but would require it to be pluged-in.. My bike is left outside far away from any plug..

[mozzy]

Hello I live in lancashire england and have had the same problem.
I found full choke and just a blip on the throttle works.
I put a varta battery on and it's worth every penny.
plenty of wd40 on the plug leads helps too.

[squirrelman]

best thing to promote quick starting is fresh, clean plugs.........but if your battery ain't putting out you need to throw on a meter and test your charging. you could also try cleaning battery terminals and ground connection where it attaches to engine block.

[surferdude]

Had a look at them not to bad but would require it to be pluged-in.. My bike is left outside far away from any plug..

Safe to run an extension cord outside to your bike? Hey, anything to keep that battery toasty and charged.

[HypnoToad]

I have found that putting the choke on at night and leaving it on till morning... works for the time being.

All I have to do is press the start button... and it jumps into life.

But its only getting colder and remembering to put the choke on is not doing the best.

This weekend I'll take the choke cable /plunger out and give them a good clean.


Thanks to all

[squirrelman]

maybe time to switch to lighter winter oil............

[HypnoToad]

Well I noticed that little choke cable was put in wrong on one carb so I took them carbs off and fixed it... I am hoping that this is the root of all my problems....fingers crossed. waiting for the next cold morning to test.
Thanks all.

[Swipe]

My bike was left standing in my parents garage for two weeks. During the last two final days of that period the temp dropped below freezing -2C. The following day I had slight problems starting, it took about 4 or 5 tries with varying degrees of choke and throttle. However, once it had been on a run for a few hours after 2 weeks standing it started like a dream the following day even though it was just as cold the previous night. I have now rigged up my optimate battery tender so lets see how I get on with that.

[MrDude_1]

occasionally it dips just below freezing here... thats about the only time she needs full choke to start.


but she should ALWAYS turn over.... if the engine isnt turning, its a starter system problem (probably either the battery or the starter relay)

if its turning over, but not catching in the cold... then it could be a carb/fuel mixture problem.