| Author | Message | ||
     2km2cyclone |
I have my m2 in the garage. No heat. I have been starting bike and running for about 20 mins once a month and all's been well.I treated fuel with stabil. This weekend I attempted to do it and she started but shut down almost immediately. Then wouldnt start. Could the oil be too heavy. I'm used to a vintage bike. At the risk of sounding stupid is the some kind of kill switch if the oil gets too heavy.I pulled the plugs and they were in fact fuel soaked.So I then cked for spark. Yup I have fuel,air,spark. In my experience I figure a+b+c=combustion. Any ideas why she won't run? | ||
| Daveswan |
I'm in new england and rode my bike last week. though it was in the upper 30's. I do know keeping it running until it warms up requires a bit longer on the choke. I only pull the enricher all the way to initially start it. then push it in just enough to keep it chugging or else it will die instantly. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it running -- More of a delicate balance of choke and throttle. A bit more tricky in the cold weather but all-in-all I've been ok and I'm using 20w-50w synthetic plus I'm in an unheated garage. If you're trying to start it in really cold sub 20 weather it would be even harder to get the fuel ignited and I wonder if that's half of your problem since it's been awfully cold. You'll have more resistance from the thickened oil, less battery cranking power to turn it over, fuel that's harder to ignite etc. I haven't tried to start mine unless the temp has been above 30 and I keep it on a trickle so when it does get in the 30s it's started right up within reason. | ||
| 2km2cyclone |
Thanks a lot. Also through doing my homework and trying to get to know my new bike. I think I may have inadvertently caused the problem. This oil heavier ,fuel is harder to ignite and Ice in the breather collector. Apparently me thinking starting it would help the charging system,seals,and keep everything ready may have been wrong. It seems an engine ran in the cold in 20min intervals produces condensation. This in turn collected in the breather line and canister. Then froze. Thus rendering the bike in hibernation mode, at least until it gets some heat to it. | ||
| Cthulhu |
If theres no icy roads, suit up and ride! Look up at the website name  No need to winterize, if you just keep on riding. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I don't think ice in the breather would shut your bike down like that. If it still cranks and you have fuel, spark and compression it should go. Find out which one you don't have? Start with spark! | ||
| Hippyjoe |
I have been starting bike and running for about 20 mins once a month and all's been well.I treated fuel with stabil. This weekend I attempted to do it and she started but shut down almost immediately. Then wouldnt start. Plugs fouled? If they get too black you may need to replace them, cleaning won't always work. | ||
| Skntpig |
Get a battery tender. $20 walmart Don't start the bike unless you intend in riding it. Your just filling it with condensation. There is no benefit other than extra wear and tear. Not good to just idle or rev it without riding it. Your plugs are probably fouled. Change them and wait til your ready to ride. After that first ride change the oil cus it hasn't been hot enough to get rid of the moisture you introduced. (Message edited by Skntpig on February 09, 2010) | ||
| Kalali |
"Don't start the bike unless you intend in riding it." I agree 100%. You're better off letting it site there the entire winter (on a battery tender). The only other things I do is inflate the tires to around 40 psi (to avoid flat spots), exercise the controls (brakes, clutch, shifter) and roll the bike around the garage every once in a while just to get things moving. | ||
| 2km2cyclone |
Well the plugs were shot. Looked factory so I just replaced them w/ comparable autolites(ran good in my sportster). Turned the heat on for 12 hours. She started and ran fine. Changed the oil when she was hot.Hooked up the tender and said goodbye for a few more weeks.Advice noted, LOL much as its hard to admit. I don't know nearly as much about owning a quality motorcycle . Ive always had beaters. At Least I didn't break anything. |
