Cold Weather Starting? What's The Trick?

[Bama Red]

Past couple days I've tried to start the Valk with the temps at 40* or in the mid-30's. Choke, no choke - she just doesn't want to crank. Battery's turning her over OK, but no joy. Thinking I may be flooding the beast since I came back later the first day and she cranked right up (it was up in the low 50's by then, however). I'm sitting here giving it a chance to de-flood so's I can hop aboard and get some cold wind today. I'll give it fifteen minutes or so for the carbs to drain and try it again if there are no other suggestions.

[ptgb]

Make sure you're pushing the choke lever all the way. Very common with new Valkers. Push it till it stops.... then push harder. It should move about another inch... start it up, but, don't touch the throttle for a minute or two.

That should do it.

[..]

Make sure you're pushing the choke lever all the way. Very common with new Valkers. Push it till it stops.... then push harder. It should move about another inch... start it up, but, don't touch the throttle for a minute or two.

That should do it.

+1

[Jack]

+2 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

+3, if that doesn't do it, the battery could be close to gone. She'll crank even when gone or going,but not have enough to get her started. YMMV 

[Bama Red]

I'm beginning to think it might be the battery. I already knew about having to really push the choke down, so that wasn't a consideration.

Any recommendations on a replacement battery, with reliability being the primary consideration, not cost.

[f6gal]

Mine's a little hesitant in the cold, as well.  After pushing the choke all the way, I have to give it some throttle, then hit the start button while holding the throttle... cranks right up!

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I got a YUSA for $80-90, can't remember and I've had to charge it a couuple times when fairly new. May be other issues like alternator, but I'm waiting for more of an indicator before tearing into it. Some have been happy with $30 ones from wally world.  

[G-Man]

Mine's a little hesitant in the cold, as well.  After pushing the choke all the way, I have to give it some throttle, then hit the start button while holding the throttle... cranks right up!

+1 with a little throttle before hitting the starter button.  I don't need to give it throttle while starting, though....just a twist on the throttle before I hit the button.

[Chrisj CMA]

The classic first symptom of a weak Valkyrie battery is engine turning over and no ignition.  Easy confirmation is to jump the bike to your car (car engine NOT running).  if it fires right up get a new battery.  I get mine at Walmart and have no trouble with them as long as a FULL trickle charge is put on them before placing into the bike.  If you think you will just let the alternator do the initial charge well, count on replacing that battery in less than a year.

Also check all the intake runner screws for tightness.  and vacuum lines if not desmogged.  air leaks from these two sources can make the phat lady hard to start

[Oss]

Chrisj has the best solution but he did not state it

He stores the bike in the heated house.
 

Too many steps at my house, could not get away with that from SWMBO.

+4 on the blip the throttle before full enricher choke on, even when its below freezing she starts right up

[Pete]

+1
Cold weather can show a vacuum leak around the manifolds, making it harder to start.
As the bike warms up sometimes the lean condition will disappear.

[Karen]

If it's flooded, push the choke off, twist the throttle wide open & crank the starter. That's worked for me a couple of times.

[bigguy]

Make sure you're pushing the choke lever all the way. Very common with new Valkers. Push it till it stops.... then push harder. It should move about another inch... start it up, but, don't touch the throttle for a minute or two.

That should do it.

You guys rock!   +5 on the choke. I've couldn't get Val started anytime it was below 45⁰. I've got several guys in the area who ride and never have trouble starting their Valks, but I'd run the battery down, grinding away, trying to get mine started. It would usually hit and run a few seconds, then never hit again.
This morning I checked, and sure enough I still almost an inch of choke left past the point I'd thought it was all the way over. It hit the first lick and never even considered dyeing. It was 27⁰, but I rode it to work.