Triumphrat

convict · 10-20-2005

which gear to select
my mechanic advised I had condensation in my oil because i use my bike for my short daily commute and they recommended more touring ( not exactly the worst recommendation i have had). as it gets colder i am going out less and therefore more concerned about this problem.
i have recently changed to a UNI airfilter ( started with TORs) and i noticed i run more choke longer or i have downshift regularly to keep up the rpms. which got me testing things. how much choke and for how long; and RPMs vs km/h in which gear?
right now my average commute daily temp is 1-10c dewpoint 4c - 10c = 50F
i am considering full choke to start - 1/2 before pulling out and fully closed within 2mins or less depending on moisture - please advise
i am considering 2nd gear for anything below 60 km/h and infact i am even considering 1st gear for anything less than redline to help heat up the bike. i have approx 10 minutes of 1st gear bump2bumper within the commute anyways. please advise I HATE THE BUS and i dont have a car.

Diego · 10-20-2005

> how much choke and for how long;

With all the variables, the only advice one can give is "however much is required to start and then keep it running, for however long may be needed to ensure it runs smoothly." The procedure you're considering is reasonable, so long as it is ready to run smoothly after two minutes.

> i am considering 2nd gear for anything below 60 km/h and infact i am even considering 1st gear for anything less than redline to help heat up the bike.

That I would definitely not do!

The two conditions that cause maximum wear on engine components are: (a) when the engine is first started from cold, and (b) when the engine is operated at high RPM. Combine those two factors and you end up with worse wear than either alone.

Since you have observed a longer warmup time with the aftermarket filter (probably due to the increased flow of the cold air into the engine) I would switch back to the stock filter for the winter.

An additional option, where feasible, might be to find a longer commuting route so you can be sure of having the engine fully warm before you get into rough traffic. Of course, the additional time may get you yourself more throughly chilled.

grumpyoledude · 10-20-2005

I like Diego's idea. Take a longer route. The more time I can spend on the bike the better I like it. For the last four years I have been riding HDs and I ride all year round. They start easy due to the fuel injection but the Bonnie is much more fun. Just buy warmer gear, dress in layers and enjoy the long commute. I still have a lot of winter gear (nothing heated) but I manage to stay pretty warm. I found that the HD rain gloves are the warmest I've used in fact my hands sweat even in the winter.

panda · 10-20-2005

Diego gives good advice, try to ride gently and smoothly especially until the bike has warmed up to proper temperature. it may be you can take a longer route which uses some of the higher gears.. if all else fails, you will just have to change your oil more often than normal.
when operating in very cold climates, sometimes warming the engine with some form of heating under it will help. a time switch to an electric heater maybe ??

Shakey · 10-20-2005

I let my bike warm up on choke until I get a smooth idle with the choke off. Generally a 15 to 20 minute ride dries out the engine pretty well. I just let my bike warm up with the choke out while I put on the last of my gear and do a safety check. Seems to work just fine.

dirtntarred · 10-20-2005

I have to say that I have never ever heard of condensation in the oil (lower end?) due to short commutes (what happens to scooters? All they do is short commutes). Certainly condensation in the header and muffler pipes but nowhere else. Can anyone else out there confirm what Convict's mechanic is referring to? As far as the whole choke/idle business can't you just start your bike a couple of minutes before you leave? Let it sit there and warm up while you have some toast or something. I pull my bike out onto the driveway, start it with the choke on and let it idle. Then I check the air pressure in the tires, then put my gear on. Usually before I'm done with my routine the engine has started to surge. I shut the choke off. It then idles nicely until I'm ready for her.
Convict, you sound like a great guy who really cares about his Triumph, but man, I think you worry too much. Take it easy.
Justin

Nang · 10-22-2005

Hey Dirtntared,
I used to have a very short commute to work (5 minutes) when I lived in Canberra years ago. Winter temps were regularly below freezing in winter (morning only). When I used to change the oil clear water used to run out of the oil filter cover when I loosed all the bolts and broke the seal. Perhaps as much as 1/10th or more of a cup. When I took off the plate to get at the filter there was a white creamy sludge that I assume was water/oil/contaminants. When I had a longer commute I still used to get the water in the oil but less. My old Bonnie seemed to take a long time to get the oil really hot - it had a dry sump with the oil stored in the frame and may has taken longer to heat up as it wasn't sloshing round in the bottom of the engine like our wet sump Hinckley Bonnies. I also had a Z900 Kawa which has a wet sump and when I took the sump off that it had the white sludge but no clear water.

Convict, don't rev that Bonnie much until its warm or you'll wear it out way faster than normal.

Diego · 10-22-2005

> Can anyone else out there confirm what Convict's mechanic is referring to?

Yes, I had the same experience with my first Bonnie that Nang reports, and I've seen it in cars too.

Jimi_X · 10-23-2005

Works kinda like this...Take cold picture of ....HHmmm...coctails, outside to your patio on a warm summer day. Notice condensation forming on outside of picture. Now consider the opposite...cold on outside warm on inside. Until the oil gets hot enough to return condensation back to vapor....you have cream in your oil.
Tony

no-logic · 10-23-2005

Condensation is a by-product of cold running. Ever notice the exhaust "smoking"? As the engine heats up the condensation inside the crankcase will burn off. This is one reason short hops are not good. The other is running the choke causes a rich mixture adding to gasoline dilution of the oil. Short trips=no good. :smug: