Topic: very cold kick start

[JDrider]

So after trying to fix my turn signals wiring for the last week, I ended up draining my battery.
Lesson learned, keep it on a charger next time.
I wanted to go for a ride even though it was 38 degrees F.
So I kicked and kicked.
Finally it started but very rough, seemed like only half the spark plugs were firing.
Then eventually it was running. Went for a short ride and when I got back. I noticed a new oil leak in the oil pump area.
(I'll have to pull the side cover to see where it was coming from)
To note, while i was kicking the oil pressure light stayed off. When I would shut off the bike and turn back on, the oil light would be back on.
I had replaced the oil pressure sender recently, I wonder if that broke already.
Anyway, just annoyed at myself and the new leak.
Also the turn signals still don't work right ...
fun times.

Is there a trick to kick starting a very cold bike in cold temperatures? I'm still learning.

[bryanj]

Two common leaks under the cover are the oil pump cover and the blanking plug in front of sprocket if an O ring chain has ever been fitted, this is assuming you have checked the shifter shaft seal

[JDrider]

Two common leaks under the cover are the oil pump cover and the blanking plug in front of sprocket if an O ring chain has ever been fitted, this is assuming you have checked the shifter shaft seal

I had recently replaced the shifter shaft seal and the oil pressure sender, both were leaking.
There were no leaks after repair until yesterdays cold ride.
Ill have to open it up and see where its coming from.

[newday777]

Metals shrink as they get cold. Old seals get hardened up and don't flex when cold causing leaks.
Are you storing the bike in a cold space?

[JDrider]

it is covered outside, I don't have a garage

Metals shrink as they get cold. Old seals get hardened up and don't flex when cold.
Are you storing the bike in a cold space?

[Little_Phil]

Cold weather, cold engine.
Open petcock, full choke, full throttle, ignition off. Kick 2-4 times, to suit. Ignition on, usually try throttle a bit open, kick,
Additionally if it's not used regularly it always seems to get more difficult.
Not tried it on PD carbs though.

[JDrider]

Cold weather, cold engine.
Open petcock, full choke, full throttle, ignition off. Kick 2-4 times, to suit. Ignition on, usually try throttle a bit open, kick,
Additionally if it's not used regularly it always seems to get more difficult.
Not tried it on PD carbs though.

Thanks for the tip!

[Shtonecb500]

Im in Michigan, have both my 750's stored in a cold garages this year, it's going to be 28 degrees every night from here on out. The past 5 seasons I've kept my bikes stored outside under an over hang with a cover on it. It really does destroy your rubber and gaskets subjecting the bike to such harsh conditions for months, not to mention new surface rust in the spring.  I rode yesterday with the windchill it was probably in the mid 30's.

If it's struggling in the cold you could turn up the idle screw before start so you wont be so reliant on throttle play when it fires. I like the way these motors  run in the cold..prolly 1500 rpm on start then take it back down.

[grcamna2]

Im in Michigan, have both my 750's stored in a cold garages this year, it's going to be 28 degrees every night from here on out. The past 5 seasons I've kept my bikes stored outside under an over hang with a cover on it. It really does destroy your rubber and gaskets subjecting the bike to such harsh conditions for months, not to mention new surface rust in the spring.  I rode yesterday with the windchill it was probably in the mid 30's.

If it's struggling in the cold you could turn up the idle screw before start so you wont be so reliant on throttle play when it fires. I like the way these motors  run in the cold..prolly 1500 rpm on start then take it back down.

This is true about using the idle screw(with choke)to give it a bit to start with rather than depending on your throttle hand setting(don't need to turn the throttle)while kicking the bike;I think 1/2 a turn?

[Don R]

The turn signals will act up with low battery voltage. They often work best with the engine running. You could try an electronic flasher, our old stockers must heat up to work.

[grcamna2]

So after trying to fix my turn signals wiring for the last week, I ended up draining my battery.
Lesson learned, keep it on a charger next time.
I wanted to go for a ride even though it was 38 degrees F.
So I kicked and kicked.
Finally it started but very rough, seemed like only half the spark plugs were firing.
Then eventually it was running. Went for a short ride and when I got back. I noticed a new oil leak in the oil pump area.
(I'll have to pull the side cover to see where it was coming from)
To note, while i was kicking the oil pressure light stayed off. When I would shut off the bike and turn back on, the oil light would be back on.
I had replaced the oil pressure sender recently, I wonder if that broke already.
Anyway, just annoyed at myself and the new leak.
Also the turn signals still don't work right ...
fun times.

Is there a trick to kick starting a very cold bike in cold temperatures? I'm still learning.

Have you taken the battery out and had it tested using a load tester at an auto parts place ?
I'm not saying you don't have a good battery;but running around in the cold weather,these bikes need a 'hot' battery.

When's the last time you did a tune-up(adj. valves,cam chain,points,timing,plugs)on the bike ?
The cold weather is a type of test on how good your bike is running 

[Deltarider]

[...] Have you taken the battery out and had it tested using a load tester at an auto parts place ? [...]

You can do it yourself. Charge your battery. Connect a voltmeter to the terminals and watch the voltage drop during starting. When below 10 V, battery is near its end. An analogue voltmeter is easier to interpret.

[JDrider]

brand new AGM battery, just have been doing a lot of lighting testing without running the bike or charging the battery.
No tune ups yet, I believe the plugs and boots were new recently.

So after trying to fix my turn signals wiring for the last week, I ended up draining my battery.
Lesson learned, keep it on a charger next time.
I wanted to go for a ride even though it was 38 degrees F.
So I kicked and kicked.
Finally it started but very rough, seemed like only half the spark plugs were firing.
Then eventually it was running. Went for a short ride and when I got back. I noticed a new oil leak in the oil pump area.
(I'll have to pull the side cover to see where it was coming from)
To note, while i was kicking the oil pressure light stayed off. When I would shut off the bike and turn back on, the oil light would be back on.
I had replaced the oil pressure sender recently, I wonder if that broke already.
Anyway, just annoyed at myself and the new leak.
Also the turn signals still don't work right ...
fun times.

Is there a trick to kick starting a very cold bike in cold temperatures? I'm still learning.

Have you taken the battery out and had it tested using a load tester at an auto parts place ?
I'm not saying you don't have a good battery;but running around in the cold weather,these bikes need a 'hot' battery.

When's the last time you did a tune-up(adj. valves,cam chain,points,timing,plugs)on the bike ?
The cold weather is a type of test on how good your bike is running