Tricks for starting bikes in cold weather

[junk301]

Hello gstwin crowd,

I've had a problem starting my bike lately if the temperature is below 6 or 7 celcius...My bike is currently only running on one cylinder and with the choke fully on the bike doesn't want to start.  On the first try starting it the bike begins to start but dies.  After I try starting the bike a few times the battery starts to die (7-8 tries tops).  I tried increasing the idle speed this morning so it would start easier but that didn't help.  Does anyone know any tricks to starting the bike in cold  weather?? Bumping it doesn't even help much.  I left my battery connected to my truck and it took up to 20 tries to start it the last time i've had the problem.  Problem is that I don't have access to the truck every morning

Any help is welcomed and appreciated

Martin from Canada!

[Watevaman]

 I'd fix whatever is wrong with your dead cylinder.

Even when it's 30 F here full choke starts it just fine.

[junk301]

the problem is that I dont have any garage space to diagnose.  If I'm going to check the cylinder issue now I will be putting the bike away for the winter.

[Paulcet]

Yeah, the problem is the dead cylinder. Probably should get that fixed.

However, you could try covering the bike and put a 60 watt light bulb under it at night. That will keep everything warm(er).

[Higgins13]

its currently 1c at my house lmao. Store bike in heated garage!

[junk301]

Unfortunately the bike has to be parked outside so im shi@#t outta luck!  I can try wraping the engine with a blanket and covering it a few times...

[jestercinti]

Fix the dead cylinder and your bike will start fine.

[BassWoW]

Put it in neutral before you start it.

This will relieve some of the starting pressure..make sure its on prime as well before you even attempt to start it..

[Higgins13]

Put it in neutral before you start it.

This will relieve some of the starting pressure..make sure its on prime as well before you even attempt to start it..

I always park my bike in neutral. Should I not have been doig this before?

[junk301]

I have always kept the bike in neutral when starting but have only turned it to prime after it wouldnt start the first few times.  I will try it from the get go. ty. Also i always keep my bike in gear (1st) when parked in case someone who doesnt understand manual transmission tries to steal my bike.

[adidasguy]

Park in gear in case someone bumps it or you are on a slope. Put in neutral to start.

Check the bad cylinder. Spark plug is easy to check. Check for spark. That's easy, too. Check wiring for good connections - also easy. These things do not require a garage to do.

I had one run on one side due to a defective spark plug. Ran like crap - no power at all. Maybe one side is weal, not dead.

What makes you think one side doesn't work?

[junk301]

Park in gear in case someone bumps it or you are on a slope. Put in neutral to start.

Check the bad cylinder. Spark plug is easy to check. Check for spark. That's easy, too. Check wiring for good connections - also easy. These things do not require a garage to do.

I had one run on one side due to a defective spark plug. Ran like crap - no power at all. Maybe one side is weal, not dead.

What makes you think one side doesn't work?

I've started a thread that you have replied to earlier this month.  There is only 30 psi of compression being generated by my right cylinder.  I have never done a valve adjustment and the power on my bike has been decreasing gradually.  So i'm going to start there when i get some time this winter.

[BassWoW]

I always park my bike in neutral. Should I not have been doig this before?

Just a personal preference. I changed my oil to t6 synthetic becuase it was cheaper but I noticed that starting in cold weather is harder....

To remedy the clutch issue I figured that out. nothing major..

[Paulcet]

Put it in neutral before you start it.

This will relieve some of the starting pressure..make sure its on prime as well before you even attempt to start it..

I always park my bike in neutral. Should I not have been doig this before?

You should always park it in gear. That prevents an innocent little bump from becoming a drop if the side stand folds up.

[007brendan]

My bike starts 100 times better after I rejetted the carbs.

[bigfatcat]

Put the dang thing on 'PRIME', for at least couple of minutes 'fore you try starting - meanwhile take off the seat and shoot some starter fluid or carb cleaner into the air intake (you may have to unbolt the tank and lift it a bit) ... alternatively you can use the airbox drain if accessible (if it were me I'd make it so if I had to deal with a non-starter on a regular basis).  Should fire easy, just don't get crazy with the starter fluid and set it ON fire .

Some say this will blow up your motor ,  don't do it - but I've never had a problem using starter fluid on all kinds of motors from lawnmowers, cars, to snowmobiles and one airplane.

[crzydood17]

1cly.... just give up... fix the dang bike or don't ride it. You don't drive a car if your missing half the wheels.