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DatBoi69YOLO
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« on: December 01, 2023, 05:27:21 AM » |
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Been having some trouble starting my bike this winter when it gets cold— like around freezing. The other day I cranked and cranked and got nothing more than a few sputters till I wore the battery out.
Other than parking it in a warm place— which isn’t always an option, especially if you’re traveling— what do you guys do to make your bikes more willing to start up in the cold? Any best practices, gadgets, add-ons, etc?
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2023, 05:47:34 AM » |
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The first check is if you're engaging the Enrichment System (some call it choke) correctly.
Looking at the linkage at the top of the carbs while pushing handle bar switch down, observing if it is moving correctly. Both sides.
Next check is if there's any gas in the carb bowls. Should be if she hasn't sat for a while.
If she's sputtering like you state, the battery may be good, but load testing it might be something to check.
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« Last Edit: December 01, 2023, 05:49:37 AM by Hook#3287 »
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2023, 06:13:18 AM » |
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I think each Valkyrie is different in the cold. Some still start pretty
easily. Mine does not start right away on a cold morning.
I've been at rides and seen others with hard starting bikes crank
away until no battery left...
I give mine five or so good tries, and if it starts, great. Otherwise,
I wait five or so minutes... not that long... and try again. It pretty
much always starts on the second time around. If not, I have enough
battery power left for a third time around. I guess maybe the first
time got some gas in there and the fumes are good and ready to
explode the second time around?
Anywho... don't wear out your battery if it isn't starting right away...
-Mike
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1745
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2023, 07:17:20 AM » |
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Had to use mine 2nd. time this year. It's very HARD to fully engage the "choke" but fired right up as I attempted without and half engagement. I always sit upright about 10 sec. (manual Pingel petcock) and give the fuel time to fill the system before starting. Beautiful day @ 57 degrees thus probably last ride until March. Turned over to 50,008 mi.
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ckahler
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« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2023, 09:01:46 AM » |
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Make sure all 6 of your choke plungers are being pulled all the way out with choke full on.
Open mixture screws another turn.
Use a petcock with a PRI position, so you can top off the carbs fuel levels before cranking the engine.
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98 Valkyrie
85 V65 Magna
85 VT500c Shadow
81 KZ305
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thedon
Administrator
Member
Posts: 511
Wisconsin State Rep.
Watertown Wisconsin
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« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2023, 09:21:40 AM » |
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When you think the choke is on all the way, push harder and it will go more. Sometimes people think the choke is on when it is not.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2023, 10:20:18 AM » |
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When you think the choke is on all the way, push harder and it will go more. Sometimes people think the choke is on when it is not.
And give it no throttle. |
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mello dude
Member
Posts: 944
Half genius, half dumazz whackjob foole
Dayton Ohio
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« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2023, 10:50:21 AM » |
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When you think the choke is on all the way, push harder and it will go more. Sometimes people think the choke is on when it is not.
And give it no throttle. This!..... Very common.... Of the Honda bikes I have had, starting from cold is always, set the choke, hit start button, left the bike come to life.. maybe add an eighth of throttle for a second..(one thousand one..).Hondas are always cold blooded beasts...  |
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« Last Edit: December 01, 2023, 10:53:26 AM by mello dude »
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* There's someone in my head, but it's not me.......
* Mr. Murphy was an optimist....
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da prez
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« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2023, 11:25:24 AM » |
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I turn the ignition on , wait about 30 seconds , and crank. If really cold , It starts , runs rough , sputters and grumbles worse than I do.  It idles rough , but will smooth out. Then is when I back off the enrichers (aka choke). da prez |
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« Last Edit: December 03, 2023, 01:33:17 PM by da prez »
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Gondul
Member
Posts: 258
VRCC #408
Central Florida
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« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2023, 11:36:54 AM » |
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When you think the choke is on all the way, push harder and it will go more. Sometimes people think the choke is on when it is not.
Zero need to push harder on the choke lever. Look on the right side carb bank and you will see the slider for the choke...reach down and pull it towards you as you push down on the choke lever to get them to open all the way. |
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Mayest dance Thy eternal dance.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2023, 01:51:01 PM » |
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A simple trick I have used (with good results) on a hard starting bike in cold weather is..... Run a cord and put a small space heater under the motor, angled up (too much angle will shut off the heater on bank angle sensor). Let it run long enough to completely warm the motor and oil. DO NOT START ANY FIRES. Works like a champ. Easier on the bike and battery.  My bikes need the choke to start in all weather. Under no circumstances should you ever allow the starter to crank and crank trying to get it to fire. Things can get damaged. Let her crank 5 seconds max, and stop. Wait, then repeat. And if she sputters to try and start, and you release the starter, and then the sputter turns to stall, let it stall (and wait again), do not hit the starter again during sputtering. |
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« Last Edit: December 01, 2023, 02:12:28 PM by Jess from VA »
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Valker
Member
Posts: 2995
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2023, 02:22:25 PM » |
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I guess I just don’t get it. All three of my Valks start, regardless of the temp (lowest so far is -6°F) with a fully on enrichment lever (choke) with less than three seconds of cranking. They stay running. I ease off the lever a bit after about 20 seconds, more after a minute, then full off about 30 seconds later. My Valks have 215,000 miles, 68,000 miles, and 40,000 miles.
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2023, 02:39:24 PM » |
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Mine will too if they have been getting run.
But if one has been sitting in the cold without running for weeks, it may need help.
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Valker
Member
Posts: 2995
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2023, 03:10:34 PM » |
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Mine seldom sit for multiple weeks, but sometimes three or four. They still fire almost instantly.
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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Pluggy
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« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2023, 06:30:59 AM » |
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Checked or charged the battery? Honda electronic ignition needs more voltage to operate than the starter motor. A bike with a weak battery can crank and have no spark. And, if the bike cranks for a short time and quits, that's another sign the battery is weak. Low temperature weakens a battery, too. Many of us have had this problem with Hondas.
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hueco
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« Reply #15 on: December 03, 2023, 07:11:01 PM » |
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On mine I have learned to keep the choke lever pushed down fully manually. If I let off the choke lever the choke tends to open up. Making it harder to cold start.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #16 on: December 03, 2023, 07:14:47 PM » |
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On mine I have learned to keep the choke lever pushed down fully manually. If I let off the choke lever the choke tends to open up. Making it harder to cold start.
My choke used to stay on great. Then I lubed the cable. That was years ago. I still have to hold the choke on. -Mike |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15193
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #17 on: December 04, 2023, 10:16:54 AM » |
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When you think the choke is on all the way, push harder and it will go more. Sometimes people think the choke is on when it is not.
And give it no throttle. Correct...these carbs don't have accelerator pumps that squirt raw gas into the throat of the carb. So if you tend to do that, the only thing happening is your wrist is getting loosened up for the ride that follows. Another idea re. starting fluid I've used in the past and was posted on here by someone a short time ago. Add a hose to the airbox by drilling a small hole and inserting the hose, sealing it around the entry area. Be sure to have a cap on the outer end...the hose is to be long enough to be accessed so you can squirt a small amount of starting fluid in. Cap off the hose and hit the starter. That, along with the choke, will get you going every time...assuming the battery is OK. |
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