Topic: Cold Weather adjustments?

[nccb]

When it gets cold, is it appropriate to adjust anything on the bike, i.e. air mixture screws or idle adjust?  I started mine up today (couldn't take it for a ride) and its about 34.  It started fine but began on 2 or 3 cylinders then kicked into all four.  I am assuming its just from the cold but want to double check.  Another reason was it had wispy white smoke coming from the exhaust, but I do spray WD-40 in the exhaust if I know I won't ride it in a week.  I think that was the reason it was smoking but am just looking for input on what others may do when it gets cold out.  Thanks for any input.?

[754]

Put lighter oil in.if riding near or under zero, may not hurt to let it run post ride.. It may never really get to proper temp , and can get a lot of moisture in the oil.
 In the last 5 years up here i rode three winters,missing no more than 3  weeks out of the winter..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Perhaps your voltage was low. Be sure you top off your battery and use a Battery Tender. They don't run well on low voltage and our batteries do not have much capacity. The charging system doesn't do anything until ~ 1800rpm. While smoke could have been from the WD40, oil that accumulated and leaked down through the valves seals it probably was just condensation that is warming up.

[Black 750K8]

When it gets cold, is it appropriate to adjust anything on the bike, i.e. air mixture screws or idle adjust?  I started mine up today (couldn't take it for a ride) and its about 34.  It started fine but began on 2 or 3 cylinders then kicked into all four.  I am assuming its just from the cold but want to double check.  Another reason was it had wispy white smoke coming from the exhaust, but I do spray WD-40 in the exhaust if I know I won't ride it in a week.  I think that was the reason it was smoking but am just looking for input on what others may do when it gets cold out.  Thanks for any input.?

I'm about 30 miles south and don't make any changes. I might drop to 10-40 but not usually bike stays in the shop (heated during the day) about 65deg. so the oil does not get as cold I might let it idle 20 or 30 seconds longer no big deal around here over in the mountains is different.

[70CB750]

I use Mobil Delvac 15W-40  in winter and try to reach 20 psi on the oil pressure gauge (I take 20  psi as fully warmed engine).

[flatlander]

most winter it's around freezing here, for some time it can be somewhat lower. i don't do anything specific with the bikes.

if i did not run them regularly (say, less then once a week) i'd probably plug the batteries in a charger. i keep using 10w-40 oil year-round.
when it's really cracking cold your air/fuel mixture will get a bit leaner. for those few times it happens here, i don't adjust anything, thought. it depends on where you live and the conditions there, i guess.

white smoke from the exhaust in these conditions is usually condensation and should go away after it's properly warmed up.

[Black 750K8]

If it is going to sit for a while take the battery in to the house. Makes a good center piece for the dining table.

[lucky]

When it gets cold, is it appropriate to adjust anything on the bike, i.e. air mixture screws or idle adjust?  I started mine up today (couldn't take it for a ride) and its about 34.  It started fine but began on 2 or 3 cylinders then kicked into all four.  I am assuming its just from the cold but want to double check.  Another reason was it had wispy white smoke coming from the exhaust, but I do spray WD-40 in the exhaust if I know I won't ride it in a week.  I think that was the reason it was smoking but am just looking for input on what others may do when it gets cold out.  Thanks for any input.?

No ,except to leave the choke on longer until it gets warmed up.