Topic: Winter troubles

[jn895]

I live in the Hudson Valley region of New York state and am planning on riding my bike straight through the winter, given that there is no snow or ice on the ground. It's been cold so far but not so bad; I have a short ride to work so I don't get too cold.

I'm really concerned about my bike. I ride a 1973 CB350F and it is having a hard time in this weather. First off--and I know this is to be expected--the thing takes a LONG time to start. Earlier in the fall it was fairly quick if the choke was on, but now that the deep cold is setting in even the choke is no guarantee. I put some thinner oil in it--5W-20 or 30 I think--which helped a bit, but now I'm kicking it a good 20 times before it fires up.

The other issue is the carbs (I think). Often when I'm riding the bike sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies. There's a sucking and popping noise coming from somewhere. Maybe a vacuum leak? But the carb manifolds look like they're on fine... The bike really has trouble developing power also. Sometimes it is like the whole range of the throttle is a flat spot. This sometimes goes away when it has warmed up a bit.

As a final issue, I have to keep the RPMs at about 3000 with the throttle while idling, or the engine will die. This sucks, particularly at crowded intersections.

Anybody have any tips for any of these issues? Am I just condemned to a pain in the ass ride all winter? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[eldar]

Sounds like the carbs need a good cleaning and then tuning followed by a sync as a start point.

[KRONUS0100]

on your day off.....get some ether or starting fluid.  get the bike started and warmed up....keep it running and spray the ether at both sides of the carbs.....at the head's side and the airbox side.  if the bike speeds up you got a leak.  ckeck your plug caps and wires for proper resistance...pul the caps off the wires and take no more than 1/4" off, twist caps back on....when was last time carbs were synched and valves adjusted?   hope this helps.  Might try a wool blanket over seat/battery area at night to help keep the battery warm.

[jn895]

Thanks very much for your help guys.  The carbs and valves have been neglected for a while so I will check them.  It is just weird since the bike was running great all summer and I am just now having this problem.  Will check out.  Man I wish I had a fuel-injected bike sometimes.  Or a car.