bikes warm up time in winter cold. how long?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
My bike tells me when it's ready to roll.
I don't have any modern features but a choke on my carb.
When I fire her up cold she needs a bit of a high idle, and as she warms up the idle increases and smooths out. I adjust the choke back once or twice while she smooths out.
Then I take it slow until the oil warms and the pressure is right, not high from cold, thick oil.
Even been known to run a small amount of choke at the start to keep the idle smooth.
Gotta love a vintage bike with character!
I don't have any modern features but a choke on my carb.
When I fire her up cold she needs a bit of a high idle, and as she warms up the idle increases and smooths out. I adjust the choke back once or twice while she smooths out.
Then I take it slow until the oil warms and the pressure is right, not high from cold, thick oil.
Even been known to run a small amount of choke at the start to keep the idle smooth.
Gotta love a vintage bike with character!
Last edited by JohnnyC; Nov 1, 2011 at 03:21 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
If anyone is interested in real data our resident mud man posted some info about engine temp.
It took over 8 minutes of sitting idle with an ambient outside temp of ~90F to reach operating temp: see his post here.
It took over 8 minutes of sitting idle with an ambient outside temp of ~90F to reach operating temp: see his post here.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 10
From: Bristol, England.
Jump on, fire her up and off you go. Nice and gentle for the first ten minutes of riding...
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 10
From: Frederick, MD
I have an S&S Super G carb so it takes a few extra minutes. I let her run a few minutes at about 1200 rpm, back off the choke a bit as she warms up in a few stages. When she has no issues idling without the choke (about 800-850 rpm) I touch the heads and she is warm and good to go. No set time - just a good idle and warm heads.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 689
Likes: 6
From: Glen Rose TX
Just decided to resurrect a 4 year old thread did ya?
Oh well you must have been searching for "Warm up time" or something.
Read the entire thread and you'll figure out what is right for you.
Oh well you must have been searching for "Warm up time" or something.
Read the entire thread and you'll figure out what is right for you.
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