I'm only 4 months into my first HD and live in Ohio. Now that the temps are dropping into the low 40's and below I can't keep my motor warm. I keep having to pull the enrichment **** back out to keep it running right. If I stop it will warm back up but once I get moving again need more enrichment. Most of my rides are 6 miles right now. I thought at first it was running to lean but in warmer weather the plugs show rich. Should I think about something to block off some of the air to the motor?

 

start by changing your oil weight, as specified in your manual to match the outside temp that you are riding in.

 

I'm not sure your engine will fully warm up in 6 miles.

 

I agree.
Some years back I drove 8 miles to get my motor hot for a oil change, outside temps in the 50's. When I got back home and drained the oil, it was very warm, but not hot. Now I always make sure I have over 25 miles on before a oil change, and the oil is hot every time now.

 

On cool mornings I have a real short drive to work and despite covering the oil cooler the ambient temp is such it won't allow the engine to come up to "operating temps" so I drive a long route home and the engine is good'n'hot when we get home. Just find a long way home to burn out the condensation and clean the plugs. Do you have any mods to the carb?

 

Sounds like you need to re-jet for the colder months. With the cold air being much denser, look into going to a larger main jet.

 

Go 2 sizes richer on the pilot jet and a 1/4 turn out on the idle mixture. Save your original pilot, you will be putting it back in come spring. The CV carb does a far job of adjusting the main circuit for temp and altitude. But needs seasonal adjustments for the idle and slow speed circuits.

 

The carb is stock except for a 195 main jet and 48 idle jet. If I was to use a thinner oil, what would one suggest?

 

6 miles in 40 degree temps will not bring the engine up to operating temp. It's the nature of the beast, thats what the enrichment **** is for along with initial start up. If you want to chase a ghost and play with oil and jetting go ahead, knock your socks off. Reality is, it's cold out.

 

The stock jets are 45 and 190. I have my a/f mix out at 2 1/2 turns with stock jets. Motor is not stock. Of course I've been on the same bike since Feb. 02 and I know what it will do in the cold. It starts with enrichener 1/2 out, idles in the driveway about 1 minute and no driveability issues going thru town. Get on the hiway and no hesitation ,coughing, gasping, nothing. I also get about 49 mpg on the hiway with two up.