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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
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Message started by Chris Roth on 01/16/13 at 20:19:13

Title: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by Chris Roth on 01/16/13 at 20:19:13

I am in Southern IL and when its 40+ out I am still willing to drive it for putting around town. I have found when its cold like this (below 50) I have a hard time getting it started.

I literally have to have the choke fully out, run the starter for about 20 motor turnovers (estimating based on duration), and I have to pull the throttle a little too or it dies immediately after it starts to run. Once its warm I can cut the motor and it starts right back up, even after running into a store for 10-15 mins.

Question is if this is normal and expected behavior?

I have the Raptor Petcock, upgraded the main jet one step, and have the carb screw turned out 1 rotation. I do have a K&N stock replacement air filter and HD Dyna muffler.

Title: Re: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by SALB on 01/16/13 at 20:54:34

5D405B471B495A412F0 wrote:

Question is if this is normal and expected behavior?

:o

NO! At forty degrees, you should only be pulling that choke one notch, if that. :o

Also, don't run the starter for more than three or four seconds at a time, unless, of course, you're trying to burn it up! ;)

Title: Re: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by diamond jim on 01/16/13 at 21:02:48

Trailer the bike down to Mike's Motorcycles in Miami. Let it sit in his parking lot overnight. In the morning crank it up. ;D

Title: Re: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by ralfyguy on 01/17/13 at 04:32:33

I agree with SALB. I ride when it's 15 degrees out, but I never needed the choke full out. I always use the first notch. Maybe you want to try to turn the mix screw out another half to full turn. But choke full out is too much. I don't even know when I would ever need the choke full out on my bike.

Title: Re: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by DavidOfMA on 01/17/13 at 06:24:23

My bike had a similar problem when I'd gone up one size on the pilot jet (from 52.5 to 55). Put the 52.5 jet back in and the problem went away (although the backfiring returned). It would be interesting to see if the problem goes away, in cold weather, if you return the main jet to stock.

Title: Re: Cold weather start issues, runs fine when warm
Post by Digger on 01/17/13 at 20:23:19

33202D2738263438410 wrote:

I ride all winter long in Colorado Springs. Mine (see my signature block) needs full choke only when it is below about 30 degrees AND the bike has been sitting for over a week. Otherwise, it likes half-choke on a cold start, no matter how cold it is (I've started it down to about 5 degrees F above zero).