Cold weather sucks

[andymetzger]

I haven't been able to ride for about two weeks because of some brake troubles, and now that I've gotten those taken care of, I can't get the bike started. We had a bout of cold weather about 3 weeks ago and it was taking a little longer than usual to get it started, wouldn't turn over until maybe the 5th-8th time, and then would take about 5 minutes to warm up to a good idle. Now when I try, it usually won't turnover at all, but sometimes it does, and then it kinda revs for a few seconds and then dies. I can only try a few times before I feel the battery going dead. Any suggestions?

[DrBob]

Sounds like the choke may not be adjusted properly. If the choke is clsing all the way when you pull the knob out, try a little shot of starter fluid to get it to fire the first time after it has been sitting.

Here is a cold-weather tip: toss a cover or old blanket over the bike, and run an extension cord with a lightbulb under the bike (highest watt bulb you can safely put in the drop light). The heat from the burning bulb will be trapped under the cover, keeping the motor warm, keeping the battery from loosing as much juice to the cold, and keeping the oil flowing nicely, for easier cold-weather starts. Much cheeper than an engine heater.

[andymetzger]

Well I went to the auto shop to get some starter fluid, and he recommended removing the spark plugs and spraying a little down there and it should fire right up. I couldn't get the spark plugs out; my sockets are standard size, not deep enough I guess. Maybe I'll go get some extended sockets so I can do that. But I've tried a few more times to start her up, and the battery is sounding weaker and weaker. I'm afraid it's about dead. Anything I need to know about charging it from my truck battery? Is it necessary to disconnect the battery completely from the bike, or can I just keep it wired up? Any other way to get a spark plug out?

[DrBob]

I have never taken the plugs out, just sprayed a little in the air intake. But if you want to pull the plugs, use a plug socket: the rubber insert will prevent damage to the plug.

Be VERY careful when you jump a bike battery from a car battery. The motorcycle battery is obviously much smaller and weaker, and you can damage it easily or cause it to explode. Even if the motorcycle batter survives, you can run too much amperage from the truck and fuse the starter solenoid, the relay, blow fuses, or even cook the starter. I learned that one the hard way. A cheap battery charger from Wal-Mart would be a better option- I bought a $20 one and hook it up before I go to bed, then let it run all night and while I am at work the next day to charge even a totally dead battery.

If you need to jump start the bike from the truck, make some motorcycle jumper cables. Get several feet of cheap single-strand wire from the hardware or auto parts store, a few feet each of black and red. Or use whatever wire you have around, like an old extension cord with the plugs cut off, but make DARN SURE you don't cross up which side is positive and which is negative, and mark them well. Attach the ends of the wires to alligator clips. Attach like you would normal jumper cables, but do not have the truck running. The small wires will carry enough juice to crank the bike, but not enough to fry the bike's battery. They also will reach even the most oddly placed motorcycle battery without having to take it out of the bike. Wind them up small, and keep them in a sandwich bag under the bike seat or in the tool kit for the next time you need them. I made a set years ago, and have used them to rescue many a fellow rider from a dead battery.

[andymetzger]

So regular jumper cables will carry too much power?

[DrBob]

Regular cables should work OK as far as power flow goes as long as the truck is not running, but most bikes don't have nearly enough room around the battery to hook them up.

[viper94bite]

I'm not sure if this will help but here is my experience. I don't know how cold it is there either. I was having trouble getting my ZED to fire up as the weather was getting colder. I was informed of Rotella T 5W-40 oil to put in her to help with another problem I was having. After the switch to the thinner full synthetic. The bike starts much easier now.

[andymetzger]

Good news! My battery was almost dead and I didn't get the chance to get a spark plug wrench, but I tried just jump starting her with a friend. We rolled her through the parking lot and after about 5 tries we got her started, let her idle for about 10 minutes, and then I took her for a good outing and everything ran perfectly. Woohoo! Thanks for your help guys.

[blackie1491]

Get that battery on a trickle charger or take to a shop and have checked. may be time for a new one. Check before you take the next ride.
Ride safe.

[DrBob]

Glad you got her fired up! A good long spin should charge the battery just fine. Run the bike often, or store it for the winter. A trickle charger is a good idea.
Got a pic? I love those old GSs

[Lew]

Add some fuel stablizer to the tank. Might want to put some fuel deicer in there also. You could get a little condensation with warm day/cold night. Had a lot of that when I lived in Minnesota.

[andymetzger]

Anyone know anything about the CycleSAVER Battery Trickle Charger? Evidently it's solar-powered. I don't really have a power source to plug into. I'm forced to park my bike in a parking lot while here at school.

I plan on riding it as much as possible though, cold weather or not. It doesn't get too bad here in SC (avg Jan hi temp is mid 50s) so I'll be out there. Storing her isn't an option in my mind. Any other tips for care during the colder months? The oil and filter was changed a few weeks ago. Keep a full tank with some stabil, right? What else?

Here's the best pic I've got right now. I'll have to find a better one.

[Born2Ride]

Cold Weather = 30 F or lower !!!

Here is a link .. http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/4051
I am sure you can froogle them up.

[andymetzger]

Well it got down to 38 F tonight and I took a short spin around town. My toes were about to fall off (wearing sandals wasn't a good idea, I know...for more reasons than just the cold). Maybe in a few weeks it will break 30 and I'll experience cold weather. For now, at least, I'll take 50's and 60's.