As we begin to fight off the cold weather there are some tips I used in the days of automotive repair that may help. So maybe these helpful tricks will work on cars and trucks too.
Motor that starts very hard in the cold. The kind that grinds the battery to dead in less than 3 minutes.
1. Battery must be a little warm to get the maximum cranking amps from it. A frozen battery works for #$%*e.
2. You have cranked away and she still refuses to start - Warm spark plugs with a propane torch (make sure the propane is room temp before you use it as it will not provide a proper flame) and for God sake do not heat these in anyway as they can burst, which WILL ruin your day. Remove your plug wires first please.
3. Use platinmum plugs. These fire nicely even when fouled with fuel. I have no opinion on split fire plugs, have yet to try them.
4. Using 500 watt halogen lights to warm an engine does help a lot.
5. Warming carb(s) with hair dryer can ease starting problems. Please do remember that you are using fire in a fuel situation.
6. Here is good idea if you have a contractor that is a siding fool. Get a piece of Tyvek house wrap that will cover your bike. Place this black side out in light sun. In a short period of time the bike will be in summer like temps under the Tyvek. I used a piece to save my but on Mount Antero when the weather went bad. Wet yes, warm yes. I believe black tarp will have similar effects.
