Triumphrat

03cruiser · 12-21-2005

It's definitely getting colder here in Illinois, but the weather warmed up to 35 degrees yesterday so I decided to go for a ride. I pulled the choke, turned the key and let the carbs "warm" for a few before I tried to start it. Well, to cut a long story short, I ended up draining the battery (full charge) before I could get the bike to start. What is the proper/correct/generally accepted way to start our bikes in cold weather?

iandel · 12-21-2005

What you described worked for me this morning at 24F. It did take 3 attempts before catching. I am also assuming that you didn't touch the throttle and that the fuel was turned on. (I have been known to miss the obvious before now.)

However, after 90 miles in sub-freezing temperatures (much at "freeway" speeds) my fingertips got a little cold. Apart from that it was a great day out.

Ian

03cruiser · 12-21-2005

Fuels was turned on, BUT i did hit the throttle. Is this the wrong thing to do?

Anchorbend · 12-21-2005

Using the throttle is not the way to go. The "choke" is not actually a choke so you are no doubt getting too much gas if you are trying to use the throttle. These are cold beats but mine starts on 3-4 tries in cold weather depending on the temp. It started at 0 degrees but I had my doubts at times.

PA-guy · 12-21-2005

03 posted: It's definitely getting colder here in Illinois, but the weather warmed up to 35 degrees yesterday so I decided to go for a ride. I pulled the choke, turned the key and let the carbs "warm" for a few before I tried to start it. Well, to cut a long story short, I ended up draining the battery (full charge) before I could get the bike to start. What is the

Question: who was it on this list that wanted the new Bonnevilles to come with a kick starter like they did back in the "good" old days? :???:

panda · 12-21-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-21 13:30, PA-guy wrote:
03 posted: It's definitely getting colder here in Illinois, but the weather warmed up to 35 degrees yesterday so I decided to go for a ride. I pulled the choke, turned the key and let the carbs "warm" for a few before I tried to start it. Well, to cut a long story short, I ended up draining the battery (full charge) before I could get the bike to start. What is the

Question: who was it on this list that wanted the new Bonnevilles to come with a kick starter like they did back in the "good" old days? :???:

the kick starter was never the problem, bad starting technique or badly maintained bike wont start with either kick starter, electric starter or bump starting it down a cliff face

take the trouble to learn what your bike wants, and give it to it. and all will be well.

03cruiser, you have done well by trying to find outthe reason for the failure to perform rather than bad mouthing incalcitrant machinery.. generally when using the choke, do not give it any throttle.. ( maybe just enough to lift it off the stops..) all bikes are a bit different, jus try different things ( vary only one thing at a time ) Once you have the hang of it it wont trouble you again...
keep acheck on your mpg, as this will give first warning of something needing adjustment.

Silverado57 · 12-21-2005

It's not the cold I fear so much as the gravel/sand/salt they put on the roads after a snowfall...