Anything to help a Cold Start?
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 345
Likes: 1
From: Cali
Anything to help a Cold Start?
I ride my sportster all year long. But when it gets cold here. I pull the choke all the way out and it still takes forever for it to even start to turn over. Then forever to finally start. Is there anything i can do to help it start quicker? Has anything worked for you out there. Hotter spark plugs?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Anything to help a Cold Start?
Twist the throttle completely 1-3 times before starting the bike depending on temperature. 3 for colder temperatures all the way to 1 for warmer temperatures. When it is in the 30's I will twist the throttle 2 times. My bike always started the first time using that method.
All bets are off if you let it sit long enough for the fuel in the float boal to evaporate.
All bets are off if you let it sit long enough for the fuel in the float boal to evaporate.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Anything to help a Cold Start?
I start my Sportster often in cold temperatures (20 - 30 F), and I never have a problem.
I do use a Deltran battery tender overnight in those temperatures, along with regular Mobil 1 20W-50 V-Twin synthetic oil in the engine, and the engine spins right over.
Another thing is that I never pull the choke **** all the way out, never had the need. I just pull the **** out about half way, open the throttle about a quarter turn, close the throttle, and hit the "go switch".
Fires right up. I let the engine 'fast idle' for about 30 seconds, and then close the choke (push the **** back in).
I have my throttle lock set with just enough friction that it will easily open and close manually, but it will stay in it's set position when you remove your hand.
I crack the throttle open a bit and let the bike 'fast idle' with no choke for about a minute and it's good to go.
Hate using the choke (or what is now called the enrichener) any more than necessary, as overuse is probably the main cause of fouled plugs.
I do use a Deltran battery tender overnight in those temperatures, along with regular Mobil 1 20W-50 V-Twin synthetic oil in the engine, and the engine spins right over.
Another thing is that I never pull the choke **** all the way out, never had the need. I just pull the **** out about half way, open the throttle about a quarter turn, close the throttle, and hit the "go switch".
Fires right up. I let the engine 'fast idle' for about 30 seconds, and then close the choke (push the **** back in).
I have my throttle lock set with just enough friction that it will easily open and close manually, but it will stay in it's set position when you remove your hand.
I crack the throttle open a bit and let the bike 'fast idle' with no choke for about a minute and it's good to go.
Hate using the choke (or what is now called the enrichener) any more than necessary, as overuse is probably the main cause of fouled plugs.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Anything to help a Cold Start?
ORIGINAL: Dallastx
Sorry, but I agree with fuel injection. Starts and runs no matter what temp.
Sorry, but I agree with fuel injection. Starts and runs no matter what temp.
Swore that I'd never have a EFI Harley, but guess I'll have to eat my words. LoL...
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, LA
RE: Anything to help a Cold Start?
XL OCD has the answer. Your battery's ability to product current falls off sharply the colder it gets. A BatteryTtender with quick disconnect will keep your battery topped off without frying it.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
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From: Nashville, TN
RE: Anything to help a Cold Start?
Only time I've had a problem was with temps in the upper 20's and the bike hadn't been started for a couple of days. But even then it wasn't too difficult to get her started.
If it's below 40 I usually give the throttle a couple of full twists and fully pull out the choke.
I don't think I need a battery tender, but would welcome some input on this..
It's a very rare occasion that my bike goes more than a day without being ridden. I keep it inside a garage, that technically isn't heated, but it is attached to my house, and has insulated walls on 3 sides. The furnace that heats the house and the gas water heater are also in the garage, so it stays fairly warm most of the time. Plus we don't normally get extreme cold here in Middle TN.
Given this, I never really thought I'd need a battery tender. Any thoughts??
Probably should have started a new thread for this last part, but what the heck.
If it's below 40 I usually give the throttle a couple of full twists and fully pull out the choke.
I don't think I need a battery tender, but would welcome some input on this..
It's a very rare occasion that my bike goes more than a day without being ridden. I keep it inside a garage, that technically isn't heated, but it is attached to my house, and has insulated walls on 3 sides. The furnace that heats the house and the gas water heater are also in the garage, so it stays fairly warm most of the time. Plus we don't normally get extreme cold here in Middle TN.
Given this, I never really thought I'd need a battery tender. Any thoughts??
Probably should have started a new thread for this last part, but what the heck.
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