Topic: cold and easy

[vames]

not really a question, buy a comment......

seems like there are so many people on this site complaining that their bikes are "cold blooded" or hard to start when it's cold. all i can say is that my 76 cb750f loves it when it's cold. always starts on the second kick, and i seem to have a few more horsepower when it gets really cold. i  only need the choke to start it - I turn it off almost immediately and within five minutes it's idling smoothly at about 1100 rpm.

this morning was about 20-degrees F in New York city and it was no exception.

i don't know whether it's the dyna-s that makes it easier to start and run in the cold, or whether it's all just dialed in right. i rebuilt the carbs about two years ago - bench synched them with a drill bit and set the chokes by eyeball. run 20-50 oil, a stock airbox, and stock jets, coils and exhaust.

i guess the message here is that if you think your bike is cold blooded, it's not an incurable disease, it's just a matter of getting things dialed in. definitely go for an electronic ignition - best $140 and 20 minutes you'll ever spend.  and as long as the roads are dry - enjoy your bike year-round.

[eldar]

One bad thing you are doing is using the wrong oil. You are going to kill your engine using 20-50 oil in the winter. Heat is not a problem so drop to 10-40 at least if not 10-30.

[theunrulychef]

Does your bike run a little rich in the summertime?  The cold air is more dense so it may be giving your fuel mix a little more air in the cold weather.  My bike (before I took it apart) is kind of like that - runs great in cooler temps, kinda lousy when it's really hot outside.

Once I get everything back together, I'm gonna have to re-jet - hopefully in springtime.  I still haven't found a decent road to do a plug chop here in Philly.  We have no open stretches anywhere near me at all.

[Gordon]

You don't need the electronic ignition to help it start in cold weather.  I do like the Dyna-S in my 750K1 with the Dyna coils, and the bike starts easily in the coldest of temps, but my 550K2 starts just as quickly and it has all the stock ignition parts, including the 30 year old coils and wires.  Just need to have it tuned properly with squeaky clean carbs and a clean combustion chamber.   

[cd811]

been riding to work everday(except one day there was ice)...one kick...no problem...starts easier than me

[cb650]

My twin starts 1 or 2 kick also.  Stock points with 20/50.  It is garaged and I dont go for redline as soon as it fires.  If you ride most of the time I think the "no oil on start thing" isnt as much of a problem.  There will be some still clinging to parts.  I know the 650's cam practically sits in a oil tub.



                             Terry

[TwoTired]

Interesting thread.  I mean, who knew a Honda in stock configuration and good tune would start and run easily when cold?

About the oil.  I realize that nearly everyone who sits on one of these bikes knows more about what is best for them then those quirky Honda engineers.  But, why do you suppose they misprinted all those owners manuals saying you should run 10w or 10-40W oil in sub 32 degree F weather? 


Stupid Honda   

[cb650]

I'm sure the age and many miles with looser fits and better oils dont matter either.  Also they might recommend what oil to use but they might also want to sell you another engine or major servicing. I know with new cars to they are after that .5 mpg to and they defiantly dont want the engine to last past 100k.
The race bike has had nothing but 20/50 in it from new. Almost always CAR oil oh I'm such a fool.
Only work done is new rings and gaskets because it was leaking from the head.  Its at about 50k miles now and been raced for 12 yrs.
But I'm a retard so what would I know.



            Terry

[ProTeal55]

My bike always starts, might take a few kicks with the choke on , but it
always starts. After it does turn over, I let it idle just above 1000rpm untill
it starts to build some good heat.
Bike starts easier then my 55, and that has a brand new ign. setup !

I also run 20w/50 oil, love the stuff 

[n9viw]

Mine's got the stock points with aftermarket coils, running 15w40 Rotella year-round. Takes a few "empty" kicks in the mornings in the fall, but no more than two in the summer, usually just one. Ditto CB650, once your rings and bearings get to the point where they'd let a semi through, 10w40 just ain't gonna cut it anymore. PO always used 20w50, and I did too until I switched to Rotella last year. Don't know what the bearings look like, but it still runs like a sewing machine, albeit one that spits oil past the rings into the exhaust now...