Cold Starting Difficulty - update!

[edison]

I had trouble getting the bike to start though it came close a few times during the cold weather this morning.....this is after freshly charging the battery the night before (full green light from the charger). It did turn over no problem when I jump started it with my truck (engine off!) - seems it has just needed a few extra amps (?). The bike had been sitting for a few weeks......

The bike runs fine...is this just a cold weather issue / sitting too long? Thanks!

Update: Replaced the battery with a new Yuasa and it started fine....the old battery was only 2/3s the size of the Yuasa ( I got the bike used) - so I wonder if that was up to the job to begin with.

[Water Warrior 2]

The carb may have dried out. Turn the fuel cock to the prime position for 30 seconds and then back to the run position. Full choke and just a touch of throttle when you hit the start button. Let us know how it goes.

[edison]

Oh, I should have stated that I did turn it to prime prior to starting - but not for a full 30 seconds. That just might be the answer as it would run for a few seconds and then cut off. It did turn faster though with the jumper cables hooked up.

[blaine]

If it's turning over faster with a boost,sounds like your battery may be getting a little weak also.


:) :cool:

[raul10141964]

check choke cable

[Fish Baseball]

dont know if you can get this in the states, but if you can get yourself a can of "Start-Ya-Bastard". More or less is spraycan of ether. Spray A LITTLE into your air intake, and no matter how weak the spark, she'll fire up nicely.

[edison]

If it's turning over faster with a boost,sounds like your battery may be getting a little weak also.


:) :cool:
Thanks - I decided to get a new battery (Yuasa)....just filled it with the electrolyte (very simple!) - the old one just did not seem to hold a charge though it would get to "green" on my battery tender...

Will be sure to fully charge the new one before use :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Going green on your battery tender with a tired battery is likely an indication that the battery has accepted as much charge as it can.

[mrlmd1]

You are using the choke, right?

[edison]

You are using the choke, right?

Yes...I think a new battery is the answer as it would start right up with jumper cables to my truck (engine off!)

[burkbuilds]

It sounds like the battery is your problem. If that does not solve it, you might try to find gasoline without any Ethanol in it. I have had difficulty starting several different motorcycles in cold weather when the fuel blend contained 10% Ethanol, but the bikes will start on the first roll over with regular old gasoline. I realize that you may not have a choice in many areas of the country. Around here there are several stations that sell Ethanol free exclusively and several more where you are offered a choice at a slightly higher price per gallon.

[Water Warrior 2]

Likely the cooler temps just got to a marginal battery. It doesn't have enough oomph to operate the starter and provide enough power for the ignition system. How old is the battery?

[edison]

Likely the cooler temps just got to a marginal battery. It doesn't have enough oomph to operate the starter and provide enough power for the ignition system. How old is the battery?

Don't know...I bought the bike used - the battery was aftermarket and didn't appear to be new.... It was defintely cold when I tried to start it up.....so I agree with your explanation.

[Water Warrior 2]

Get a new battery and charge it up fully. This will likely fix the situation. One thing that I did do years ago with kick start bikes was put them outside for a while in the sunshine to warm them up a bit. Worked every time first kick.

[edison]

Replaced the battery with a new Yuasa and it started fine....the old battery was only 2/3s the size of the Yuasa ( I got the bike used) - so I wonder if that was up to the job to begin with

[alantf]

When I worked on electronic panels (I'm retired now), Yuasa was the only batteries my company would buy for the backup systems, and they worked fine. :2tup: