Oil type?

[Trumpertantrumike]

Ok..so now, at 28 degrees F., You guys got me wondering about my oil(s) in my bikes. I've got the reccomended stuff in my TBA(thicker viscosity, thus hard starting), And I've got Amsoil 15-40 in the Rocket(or was it 15-30)...it starts fine. Good thing the streets are Icy, and my Fairing is off for service and paint...so I don't have to start my bike(s).

 

[1olbull]

@Trumpertantrumike
Screw the brand of oil - My battery is dead just trying to pronounce your handle!!!

 

[GuzziLarry]

Speaking of dead batteries, is there any way to start a Rocket 3 when it gets below 40 degree's?

 

[warp9.9]

Speaking of dead batteries, is there any way to start a Rocket 3 when it gets below 40 degree's?

Larry, what type of problem are you having starting her? Is she hard turning over or is she spinning and just not firing ? Also I am not sure if you know what has been done to you bike at the dealer (if anything) but the older rockets had some tune issues mostly with idle but the dealers did a re-flash of the ecu. I remember getting mine done while I was on a road trip and had issues. You might want to plug into the ecu and see what map is in here. Most starting issue boil down to bad battery, corroded contacts in the solenoid or cable ends. most people add a larger ground cable to the bike I did both but I am running massive cranking amperage on mine. I am not sure where you are but if your near the coast some salt in the air might be adding to corrosion problems.

 

[GuzziLarry]

Warp9.9, Thanks for the input. I haven't done much mote than push the button at this point, the boy I bought her from said she didn't start in cold weather. You mentioned salt in the air, thats mostly why I did not look to hard. In Minnesota they salt the roads and being the bike is a bit custom and a beauty to behold. Its best she stays indoors tell the spring rains wash away the salt. The salt trucks were out this morning. The tough old Guzzi can do crazy winter stuff. Again thanks.

 

[Boog]

Speaking of dead batteries, is there any way to start a Rocket 3 when it gets below 40 degree's?

Larry, my OEM battery is now two years and 33K miles old. Last winter, it worked down to 12F here in Virginia. Below that, I had to have a trickle charger on it. At 0F, the charger would freeze up. I lost 12 days riding to work last winter, 10 due to snow and 2 due to below 0 mornings and unable to start the bike. I figure with global warming coming on full that I won't have to worry about that this winter so i will put off buying the deep cold start replacement battery.

 

[GuzziLarry]

Larry, my OEM battery is now two years and 33K miles old. Last winter, it worked down to 12F here in Virginia. Below that, I had to have a trickle charger on it. At 0F, the charger would freeze up. I lost 12 days riding to work last winter, 10 due to snow and 2 due to below 0 mornings and unable to start the bike. I figure with global warming coming on full that I won't have to worry about that this winter so i will put off buying the deep cold start replacement battery.
Boog,
I admit I did not look real hard, but was troubled by not starting in winter, as I was told she didn't. I would like it to be my thoughts when not to ride, not starting problems. Is OEM a brand of battery? Can you purchase a deep cold start battery? I have not studied batteries. I appreciate your assistance. Iv'e only had her two winters, was told she did not start in winter when purchased. I just figured big motor, little room for battery, engineering problems. It seems she has starts fine tell 40 them doesn't. Most people just look at me funny when I tell them I rode to the local biker bar for a new years drink. I have on Italian many times. Good day, ride well.

 

[Mark Dunn]

Speaking of dead batteries, is there any way to start a Rocket 3 when it gets below 40 degree's?

Hi GuzziLarry,

I used to have similar issues with my 2009 standard. The following solved the problem:

1. I use a Scorpion YTX20DHL battery that is made for Harleys but is the same physical size as the OEM. I purchased online from BatteryStuff.com. Make sure that you get the 'DHL' version. It's an AGM item and it has balls.

2. In their wisdom, Triumph used 8 AWG for the positive and negative battery cables. They are too high resistance to carry the electrical energy to start the bike when the going gets tough, i.e. at low ambient temperatures. The negative cable is the one to change if you only wish to do one, but it does help if you do the positive cable, too. Use 4 AWG (stranded type) which can be purchased (along with the required lugs) from remybattery.com.
Battery cable SKU (red) - SHT4-RED
Battery cable SKU (black) - SHT4-BLACK
45 degree 1/4" copper lug SKU (for battery end of cables) - 5952DV
Straight 5/16" copper lug SKU (for engine ground and starter motor ends of cables) - 5952E
Rubber terminal boots SKUs - 5719R (red), 5719B (black).

The 45 degree battery terminals can be easily bent to the correct angle to fit if things are a bit tight. You'll also need a propane torch and quite a lot of decent solder (try not to use the lead-free crap).

Routing the cables is no fun if you have fat fingers or a short trip temper.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mark

EDIT FOR ADDITIONAL INFO:
a. To remove/replace the positive cable at the starter motor the starter motor must be removed. Since this will leave a big hole into the engine's innards, try to clean the area as best as possible before removal. You don't want bits of dirt (or whatever) getting into the engine.

b. The cable to the starter motor connects via a threaded copper lug, which is relatively soft and could be easily stripped. The torque for the nut is 7Nm. Please use a torque wrench.

c. The bolts that hold the starter motor to the engine should be torqued to 28Nm.

d. Tie a piece of STRONG nylon string to one end of a cable before pulling it out. That way you can use it to help pull through the new cable and correctly route it.

e. If you have the carbon canister under the left side cover it is easiest to remove it prior to running the new negative cable. The canister is held on with 3 zip ties.

f. As the 4 AWG cables are less flexible than the 8 AWG OEM items, make the new cables about 2" longer to account for bigger radiuses when going around corners.

 

[motolink]

Mark, thanks for detailed instructions.

 

[GuzziLarry]

Mark, A lot of information, Thank you. I've copy and pasted to print out. So I can follow step by step.