Evo Warm up QUESTION(s)
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
Evo Warm up QUESTION(s)
Ok boys, I am going to have more DUMB questions, as I have only owned 1 carbureted engine in my life (my first car, a 1980 Plymouth Valare), and for the record, I blew that engine (because I monkeyed with the carb and reved it too much while it was cold... threw a rod, etc...).
SO, What is the cold weather startup/warm up/etc process for an Evo?
SO, What is the cold weather startup/warm up/etc process for an Evo?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 303
Likes: 87
From: New Galilee, Pa
That is a valid inquiry Tex has.
Here is what I do for the 98 fxstc, s&s carb. I don't like using the enricher unless this won't start it. Twist the throttle 3 times, start it and set the throttle lock at where the bike will run without wanting to stall. Let it warm up for about 5 minutes. Only necessary when temp is below 70 for me.
Why don't I like using the enricher you ask. Because the s&s carbs will foul plugs this way if your not careful. Plus my carb is tuned spot on so I usually don't need it unless it is real chilly.
Here is what I do for the 98 fxstc, s&s carb. I don't like using the enricher unless this won't start it. Twist the throttle 3 times, start it and set the throttle lock at where the bike will run without wanting to stall. Let it warm up for about 5 minutes. Only necessary when temp is below 70 for me.
Why don't I like using the enricher you ask. Because the s&s carbs will foul plugs this way if your not careful. Plus my carb is tuned spot on so I usually don't need it unless it is real chilly.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
Thanks Evoken,
A little background... I just bought the bike a couple of weeks ago, and I had to replace the petcock. It sat all last weekend and week (family in town)... so I got out to ride it on Sunday. Started it (after having to jump it), and it kept dying. I thought I did something wrong with the petcock... so I stood there and kept giving it enough gas to keep it running, and then headed out. Once it warmed up, it would hold the idle, so I knew it was just a warmup issue (my past 2 TC engines didn't have that issue). I am not concerned with what happened, but it occurred to me in the moment that I have no idea how/when to choke etc...
So, here I am.
A little background... I just bought the bike a couple of weeks ago, and I had to replace the petcock. It sat all last weekend and week (family in town)... so I got out to ride it on Sunday. Started it (after having to jump it), and it kept dying. I thought I did something wrong with the petcock... so I stood there and kept giving it enough gas to keep it running, and then headed out. Once it warmed up, it would hold the idle, so I knew it was just a warmup issue (my past 2 TC engines didn't have that issue). I am not concerned with what happened, but it occurred to me in the moment that I have no idea how/when to choke etc...
So, here I am.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
In that case here's what worked when my bikes had the stock ignition module and stock carb.
Turn gas on
Pull out choke
Give it a couple of twists and hit start button
It usually took around 5 minutes or so (I never put a timer on it) before the bike would run on it's own without the choke.
Get on and ride
Stock Harleys were cold blooded as hell!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have S&S carbs and Dynatek 2000P ignition modules
Start up now is much easier and faster
Turn gas on
Pull out choke
Give it a couple of twists and hit start button
It usually took around 5 minutes or so (I never put a timer on it) before the bike would run on it's own without the choke.
Get on and ride
Stock Harleys were cold blooded as hell!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have S&S carbs and Dynatek 2000P ignition modules
Start up now is much easier and faster
It seems like each bike is going to have something of it's own personality, so take this for what it's worth.
When I start mine from dead cold (like first thing in the morning), I'll turn on the petcock*, give the throttle a couple of spins, then hit it. Then set the thumb wheel to keep the idle around 1500 or so while I put on my helmet and gloves. Back it down the driveway, then release the thumb wheel. At first, depending on it's mood, it may want to die right then. I just give it a smidge of throttle to keep it happy.
It's about a mile from my house through the neighborhood to the first major street. I take it easy over that. Invariably, I get stuck at the light turning onto the major street, so I'll sit there at idle for a few minutes. Generally by then it will idle, but the idle is a little lower than it will be when it's up to full operating temperature. Again, I might give it a smidge of throttle when I'm sitting there to bump the idle a bit. By the time the light goes green, I figure it's warmed up enough to get after it. And after that, it's warm enough that it idles fine.
If it's really cold out (40's or below lets say), and the bike's been sitting a while (overnight), I will give the choke a pull before I start it. Mostly just because. In those cases, I push it right back in after it starts and I've set the thumb wheel. By and large, I think you can mostly ignore the choke.
My opinion is that the key is to get the idle speed adjustment on the carb just right, and the key to that is to adjust it when the bike is 100% up to temperature. As in you just pulled into the garage after a 50 mile ride. That's the time to adjust it. A lot of guys like to adjust them so they idle really, really slow because it sounds cool at stop lights. Not my thing. I set it right at 1000 RPM.
* Or not. Mine has a convenient, automatic reminder feature for when I forget. I bet yours does too.
When I start mine from dead cold (like first thing in the morning), I'll turn on the petcock*, give the throttle a couple of spins, then hit it. Then set the thumb wheel to keep the idle around 1500 or so while I put on my helmet and gloves. Back it down the driveway, then release the thumb wheel. At first, depending on it's mood, it may want to die right then. I just give it a smidge of throttle to keep it happy.
It's about a mile from my house through the neighborhood to the first major street. I take it easy over that. Invariably, I get stuck at the light turning onto the major street, so I'll sit there at idle for a few minutes. Generally by then it will idle, but the idle is a little lower than it will be when it's up to full operating temperature. Again, I might give it a smidge of throttle when I'm sitting there to bump the idle a bit. By the time the light goes green, I figure it's warmed up enough to get after it. And after that, it's warm enough that it idles fine.
If it's really cold out (40's or below lets say), and the bike's been sitting a while (overnight), I will give the choke a pull before I start it. Mostly just because. In those cases, I push it right back in after it starts and I've set the thumb wheel. By and large, I think you can mostly ignore the choke.
My opinion is that the key is to get the idle speed adjustment on the carb just right, and the key to that is to adjust it when the bike is 100% up to temperature. As in you just pulled into the garage after a 50 mile ride. That's the time to adjust it. A lot of guys like to adjust them so they idle really, really slow because it sounds cool at stop lights. Not my thing. I set it right at 1000 RPM.
* Or not. Mine has a convenient, automatic reminder feature for when I forget. I bet yours does too.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
Different bike's kinda like different ways to start cold. If your new to the bike as you mention.
Hand full of salt and a dead rabbit worked for me.
1 throw salt over shoulder ( either one is fine )
2 twist throttle a couple times. Bout 1/2 way is good
3 pull out choke / enricher
4 swing dead rabbit over head 3 times ( only 3 times mind ya and throw rabbit
out of the way)
5 Hit start button , motor fires up.
6 Push choke in and use throttle lock as Evoken mentioned
7 Run motor till rear valve cover is plenty warm to the touch. ( don't miss and touch the exhaust Dang that can hurt.)
As you learn the ways your bike likes to start you can skip the salt and pass the dead rabbit on to whoever asks this next time.
Gave mine away already
Have a good 1 WP
Hand full of salt and a dead rabbit worked for me.
1 throw salt over shoulder ( either one is fine )
2 twist throttle a couple times. Bout 1/2 way is good
3 pull out choke / enricher
4 swing dead rabbit over head 3 times ( only 3 times mind ya and throw rabbit
out of the way)
5 Hit start button , motor fires up.
6 Push choke in and use throttle lock as Evoken mentioned
7 Run motor till rear valve cover is plenty warm to the touch. ( don't miss and touch the exhaust Dang that can hurt.)
As you learn the ways your bike likes to start you can skip the salt and pass the dead rabbit on to whoever asks this next time.
Gave mine away already
Have a good 1 WP
Last edited by WP50; Oct 3, 2017 at 01:51 PM.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 19
From: Southcentral, OK
In that case here's what worked when my bikes had the stock ignition module and stock carb.
Turn gas on
Pull out choke
Give it a couple of twists and hit start button
It usually took around 5 minutes or so (I never put a timer on it) before the bike would run on it's own without the choke.
Get on and ride
Stock Harleys were cold blooded as hell!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have S&S carbs and Dynatek 2000P ignition modules
Start up now is much easier and faster
Turn gas on
Pull out choke
Give it a couple of twists and hit start button
It usually took around 5 minutes or so (I never put a timer on it) before the bike would run on it's own without the choke.
Get on and ride
Stock Harleys were cold blooded as hell!!!!!!!!!!
Now I have S&S carbs and Dynatek 2000P ignition modules
Start up now is much easier and faster
I realize how fundamentally stupid these questions are, and I appreciate you guys helping me out, without making fun of me (at least in the open).
LOL yeah, mine has that feature also!
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Nov 8, 2017 at 10:57 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You'll probably get as many different 'systems' as replies! I routinely use the enricher on my carb bike, start it, let the engine speed settle, select first gear and gently ride off. After a short distance I can usually push the enricher right off and steadily increase use of the throttle as she warms up. I only use the throttle lock as a damper, to prevent the twistgrip snapping shut when I let go.