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Message started by phasender on 12/03/06 at 19:27:21

Title: Winter engine troubles
Post by phasender on 12/03/06 at 19:27:21

Bike won't start! Actually, it'll start, but then the engine just dies out.

Last week, it was almost 60 degrees, and I was riding around having a great time. Then it snowed, I left the bike in the garage for three days, and today, the roads were clear, it was a little under 20 degrees and I took the bike out it took a little more cranking to start, but it was fine.

I felt some hesitation in the engine once I got outside, thought I was out of gas, so I filled up a few blocks away. I started it up again, pulled away from the pump, let it idle a couple minutes, and then the engine just died.

Was much harder to start it up again, and it died faster once it did. Increased the idle. Harder startup, faster death. After I tried that a few more times, it wouldn't crank any more, I assume I'd drained the battery, and I had to walk the bike back home.

I've also got a bad solenoid, so I have to jump start it by connecting the posts of the relay, but for the two months I've had it, it hasn't had any real problems.

Question: Do you think that this is just the battery reacting poorly to the cold? If I charge the battery up all the way, will I be ok? Will I have to keep charging the battery all winter?

This is my first winter commuting to work on my bike, because my car died. Until I fix this, I'm stuck on the bus.

Thanks all.

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by Dynobob on 12/03/06 at 19:55:23

A weak battery will cause performance issues. Charge it fully or replace it. Make sure your cables and terminals are clean.

Also, when it's colder out, your bike runs much leaner. If you have stock jetting, that extra leaness might be what you're seeing.

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by geo on 12/03/06 at 20:01:08

Why are you living where it snows? ??? Get out of there! Go to a place where you can ride all year. Like, here in central Florida. You can even ride over to Daytona during Bike Week. ;D

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by phasender on 12/04/06 at 12:23:24

Florida? Why would I want to live in Florida? I'm in the home of... da Bears.

Bike's 10 years old, and I'm gonna guess the battery's probably original too.

Any recommendations on good winter batteries, or where to find them?

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by allan on 12/04/06 at 13:28:01

a possibilty is you have contaminated fuel ie water which if it is cold, could be freezing in the carb , as we all know these bikes run lean, which does't help in extreme cold,
but check the battery 1st. ???

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by georgekathe on 12/05/06 at 00:11:48

whew - a 10 year old battery - not contradicting you by any means, but I bet it has been changed once. I understand about a 4-5 year life expectancy is more usual.

recommend a non maintenance battery - don't ever have to check level or worry about acid spill when taking it off bike.

think there was a link or two for batteries on this site - think saw some web address for place to get one.

mine might not be extra heavy duty (no idea one way or other) but I for one was happy when, after the guy I bought the bike from said he had put a new battery in, I later found it to be maintenance free.

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by Holodeck on 12/05/06 at 08:59:33

I got a sealed made in the USA battery from Batterys Plus for a little over $ 50.

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by Reelthing on 12/05/06 at 09:45:20

Now everyone needs a big crank

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=RubberSideDown;action=display;num=1138061012

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by thumperclone on 12/05/06 at 17:39:03

weak battery and maybe bad gas..lived in florida for 16 yrs ( no dis to our fla savagers)i will only go back for visiting friends and (in the wifes case) schooling...i rode here in west colorado for the toy run last weekend was 16 or so when i left the house only small patches of ice on a shaded street...i dont winterize i ride...

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by smokey02 on 12/05/06 at 19:28:52

You might try running your petc0ck on prime for the first 10 minutes, mine tends to act like its run out of gas if its 50 or colder.

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by phasender on 12/06/06 at 11:37:20

Petcock on prime. I'll give that a shot. I did try putting it on reserve, which didn't work. What does prime do?

LOL yes, I WILL try the petc0ck/petthingy/petdingledangle/petweewee on prime

Title: Re: Winter engine troubles
Post by Savage_Rob on 12/06/06 at 11:44:32

phasender wrote:

What does prime do?

PRI (Prime) doesn't require vacuum to operate. It's a straight gravity feed.