Cold Weather + Oil

[ewswartze]

Don't mean to harp on but I suspect there are quite a few here who would benefit from a positive outcome to this.

Given the majority of the oil is in the tank, how about something like THIS

Combine this with an in-line coolant heater and all should be well.

Also, flhtpi mentions the use of 0W-40 Oil. Is there any valid reason not to do this?http://www.r3owners.net/members/flhtpi.html


As you can tell, I'm determined to resolve this one way or another

also very interested in the outcome. I do believe I would do just about anything to lengthen the riding season.

 

[UNCLE JESSE]

I believe the water might be a little more even heat but either one with a insulation blanket over the bike would work well. The water one might work better if you were going somewhere and be there all day in the cold you could just take a cord with you plug it in and be safe, keep us posted I agree with you could be beneficial to many captains.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I feel sorry for you guys. I'm still on the original battery since 2004! Starts right up anytime. What about a battery blanket? That should get it cranking over in the cold?

 

[bigdoug]

How are you starting the bike? do you just hit the button and hold it in? It is cold here (all year nearly) and I just jag the engine to break the stiction and move some oil then hit the starter again and it fires right up. If I just hold the starter button with one press it will fire up but takes its toll on the battery and eventually flattens it.

 

[honker]

Practicle wisdom with fuel injection is to not touch the throttle just hit the starter button. However when it gets cold mine starts the best when I open the throttle 1/2 way as its cranking then let it close quickly. Starts everytime so much for practicle wisdom....

 

[jthree]

I feel sorry for you guys. I'm still on the original battery since 2004! Starts right up anytime. What about a battery blanket? That should get it cranking over in the cold?

So in the big scheme of things you are right in my back yard so have been seeing the same weather as me. Yours starts and mine doesn't

Just went a tried to start the bike... no go. Used jumper cables (parallel) with the original battery I just took out and away she went. So it all comes down to enough cranking amps to overcome the friction or reducing the friction. I'll keep working on it and post the results.

 

[kipper]

Jthree,the only solution I found that works was jumper leads and a extra battery.I worked nights and failed starts were common if temp dropped below 5 deg c. Small battery Big engine.I've owned rockets since 05 and always had this problem.

 

[jthree]

Well on this side of the pond we have MacGyver and over 'ome there was Heath Robinson, now we have me.

Determined that this problem is not going to beat me, I spent last night cobbling together a makeshift battery box (it's actually a $6.99 plastic toolbox). It's strapped to the sissy bar rack and contains my old (original) battery. From it I ran two 10 Ga wires and connected them to to both sets of battery terminals (you can just see the two white wires in the pic). In other words I have a semi permanent set of jumper cables. The up shot is, I got to ride to work this morning
I also wrapped the oil tank with a battery heater blanket overnight but I suspect that would not have been required.

This is far from a permanent solution but at least I'm riding while I'm working on it.

Cheers

Jthree

 

[kipper]

If you need to ride to work you've got the best solution to the problem right there if you ask me.I switched to carrying a car battery when temp got to -8c just to be sure of a start, and the bike was on a battery tender all night. I found nothing else would work,I never thought about changing the oil to a different grade.Best of luck in your search for a better solution.

 

[flhtpi]

That's what I was thinking of using. Any ill effects?

Jthree

I use it in two of my BMW's and the Triumph and have had no issues. I've used it for 6,000 miles in the Triumph and one of my BMW's for about 19,000 miles. The other BMW has 40,000 miles on it and it's had 0W40 for the past 10,000 miles.