slow to start. cold weather?

[indywar360]

It's been cold here lately (35-50 F) and when I go to start the bike in the morning/afternoon it is now turning over many times before finally starting up. Also noticed the lights flicker and dim when idling at this stage. I put in a new Yuasa battery last winter and will check the charge soon, any other possibilities? I was thinking fuel, like maybe I could switch to PRIME while starting if this happens in a serious way. God knows I don't want to be stranded in the suburbs of Beaverton Oregon at 10pm in the rain.

[MarkusN]

PRIme won't help. Do you use full choke? (I ask because there are GSses that don't need choke when warm, so it'd be easy to forget.)

Thinner oil would help.

[makenzie71]

no not fuel...it's all charging system.  They don't dig cold weather.  Give your electrical systema  tune up---clean all the terminals and make sure everything's nice and firmly seats...and it wouldn't hurt to run an extra ground to the frame.

[DerekNC]

Check the level on the battery electrolyte. You'd be surprised how quickly it can drop and how much of an effect it has on starting performance. 

[indywar360]

thanks guys. found a loose screw today at the positive battery terminal.