Cold Weather + Oil

[jthree]

Perfect, thanks. I'll be picking some up this week along with my in-line coolant heater.

I also found a good write up on the .com site regarding starter wire connections. Although I did check them before, this write up goes a little further so that's where I'm going next.

I'd love to come up with a solution that doesn't require plugging anything in and I really don't want to have to lug a spare battery around. That said, the cold riding season here is so short (before it simply becomes too cold and unsafe) that maybe that will have to do.

Stay tuned.

Jthree

 

[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.

The on Mobil 1 0W40 I see is non-motorcycle specific. Is this the one?

 

[Medic]

Anyone use one of these?

Triumph Rocket III Roadster 10 Battery Motobatt Sealed High Torque Parts at Wemoto - The UK's No.1 On-Line Motorcycle Parts Retailer

 

[flhtpi]

The on Mobil 1 0W40 I see is non-motorcycle specific. Is this the one?

Yep thats the one. I read all about shearing of oil and i'm sure most will say not to use automotive oil in a motorcycle. All my bikes are on a 6,000 mile oil change exept for the KTM race bike. I've had no failures except for the KTM race bike but they are prone to crankshaft problems. Mileage is the true test. Sold one of my BMW's a few years back and it had mobil 1 (automotive) for 37,000 miles before I sold it. It has 50,000+ miles today no engine problems. My favorite harley had 47,000 miles on it when I sold it. The last time I saw it it had about 55,000 miles with no engine problems but it was leaking oil.

 

[jthree]

Well I could lay my hands on any Mobil but my buddy owns a bike shop and got me some Amsoil 0W-40 and so that went in a couple of nights ago. I also installed a switch on my battery box so that I could disable the second battery for testing. This morning was my first chance to try a cold start so off goes battery number two and I press the start button... Nothing. Well I shouldn't say nothing, it did turn over but not enough to start. Flicked the switch to bring in battery number two and away we went.

So, the conclusion is, lighter oil alone is not enough to solve my problem.

It's on to the starer connections now. I have the in-line heater but I'm leaving that as a last resort because I want his fixed without having to rely on a plug-in.

 

[larrywoodz]

V-Rod saddle bags help required

want to purchase saddlebags for my brand new V-Rod ..... any help from the real riders wanted

 

[Gothlander]

want to purchase saddlebags for my brand new V-Rod ..... any help from the real riders wanted

Yes mate, I would advise you to try a vrod forum. Or maybe some postie bike saddle bags would suit it.

 

[CanberraR3]

want to purchase saddlebags for my brand new V-Rod ..... any help from the real riders wanted

Buy a set of Rocket III saddle bags but don't mount them straight on. Just put them on the ground on either side. Then, using your V-Rod key, start the engine and move the bike about 10 feet forward and replace it with a Rocket. Then mount the saddle bags.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I'm not too far from Jthree and to date have had no cold start problems. Today will be a good test as I was out all day Wednesday including a three hour ride in the rain and dark, not fun. Today it is snowing so we shall see. I'm off to a Remembrance Day service and will then head over to try the beast. I'm still running the original battery that came with the bike in July '04 so I suspect that the problem that some guys have is not battery related?

 

[jthree]

Still haven't got to the bottom of this yet. Even with two batteries in parallel it would not start the other day so I'm stumped. When I get some time, I'm going to be checking the starter connections and even maybe run a new cable to the starter. I have at least proved that it is cold related because the same day, I put a fan heater under the engine for a couple of hours and she fired right up.
It's painful because I've missed a few nice riding days already and the season is short enough as it is.

Cheers

Jthree