[jonkull]

Does anyone know if cold weather will affect the kickstarter on a bike?

My Tiger has almost always started up real easy in one kick but since the cold weather has come I find myself kicking like a fiend...over and over and over and over... It's not so much as the engine not wanting to turn over as much as the lever being so stiff I can barely move it. I have to basically jump on it with the entire weight of my body to get it to move the first couple times. Once I get it started and it runs for a few minutes if I kill the engine it will start again in one real easy kick. Could this be the cold or should I look at other things? The last 'repair' I did was replacing the clutch cable if that means anything.

Thanks!

 

[GrandPaulZ]

I didn't think cold weather could affect a kickstarter that much, but maybe it's a combination of close tolerances in your kickstart mechanicals combined with too heavy oil in the primary?

Wierd...

 

[jonkull]

On 2006-12-22 11:52, GrandPaulZ wrote:
I didn't think cold weather could affect a kickstarter that much, but maybe it's a combination of close tolerances in your kickstart mechanicals combined with too heavy oil in the primary?

Wierd...

As far as the oil I'm using whatever was recommended in the Owners Manual...can't remember the weight off the top of my head. Could the clutch be an issue? The cold weather and my cable replacement started around the same time. Or does the clutch not factor into it?

 

[mike07]

Yes, cold weather will make it harder to kick over. Either Primary oil or engine oil of too heavy a grade will affect starting. Once heated up a bit it will be normal. I've had to use hot air gun on my ATV with 20w50 oil to warm things up first . You could try this on your primary first to see if it helps. Mike

 

[GrandPaulZ]

As there is a fairly direct path for the force applied to the kickstarter to pass through the mainshaft, through the clutch, along the primary chain to the crankshaft, I can't really see how or where oil viscosity would have a measureable effect of increased pressure required to get the crank rotating.

 

[OzBloke]

Jonkull,

IMHO, this could be caused by too much tension on the primary drive chain. Colder weather will "shrink" it even further, causing it to bind against the tensioner and "distort" the clutch basket. When you get it going, it heats up, expands, and the issue goes away. Check the tension and if too tight, back it off 1 revolution of the adjusting bolt/screw.

 

[KADUTZ]

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2007-01-28 00:08 ]

 

[CommandoRdster]

Pull in the clutch, and cycle the kickstarter through a few times, to free up the clutch plates. See if that helps a bit. I can't imagine it being cold enough in Burbank to cause a problem.

 

[jonkull]

On 2006-12-22 21:23, KADUTZ wrote:
Just as a reference point what is cold as in how many degrees.

This bike has been a real big PITA since I got it. Anyway...

Well I haven't actually checked a thermometer but it's been in the lower 30s overnight and probably in the 40s when I leave for work. Mid day maybe in the mid-upper 50s. This issue almost always occurs in the early morning. If I leave work at lunch time it will start OK and at the end of the day (after 6pm) it will take 2-3 kicks but early in the morning it's another story. Today I counted 16 kicks before I could get the engine going. The first 10 or so the lever barely moved. A couple more kicks got it half way down then after a couple more kicks it went all the way down. Once the lever makes it through a full motion it will start in a kick or two. It's just getting it to make that first revolution that's a real chore. I've had This bike since May and it's just started doing this in the last 2-3 weeks...up until then it was pretty quick and easy to start. The only 2 things that have changed within that time frame are the weather and the clutch cable.

 

[KADUTZ]

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2007-01-28 00:09 ]

 

[jonkull]

On 2006-12-22 23:07, KADUTZ wrote:
I didn't realize Burbank got that chilly.
first I don't know what is wrong but at the temps you mentioned I have always been able to start my Triumphs without a problem (20/50 castrol in engine/primary and 80/140 in the gearbox)
I did have similar problem with a 650 Yamaha once but the temp was about 6degrees (F) (10/40 oil)at the time. But even then there wasn't the resistance you describe.
re you PITA comments your scoot is 33years old. The technology is older,your bike is old (probably older than you), IF you have an old vehicle you will have problems off and on (car, motorcycle, or bicycle.) You have to adapt to the vehicle it will not adapt to you. The OLD Triumph is a lovely beast once you get to know it and it is stoned reliable.
If you cant accept this maybe you should get a new Yamahonkawzuki. What is said is not said to be argumentative it is simply advice to make your life easier.
merry christmas :-D

Yeah we're having a bit of a cold spell out here. It's funny because I have inlaws coming in from Ohio to 'escape the cold' and they're having warmer weather than we are.

re your reaction to my PITA comment. I know where you're coming from. I'm just frustrated and venting a bit. My leg is getting a bit tired from all that kicking. Honestly I wouldn't trade my Tiger for anything...even with my wife constantly nagging me to sell it and buy a Honda. It's a great bike and when I get it all sorted out it will be an even greater bike. Besides it's not THAT old...it was born a year after I was.

Merry Christmas right back at ya!

 

[peintremondain]

hi,
i think oil viscoity ios affected by temperature.car makers recommand to change oil in winter in cold countries for a lesser grade.german in russia (world war 2) had to heat the tanks motors with a torch before being able to start them!!
maybe you can try to chage your oil for a 5-30 grade.
hope it helps..
ben

 

[theelderrocker]

Is the engine prone to wet sumping? A sump of cold engine oil would add resistance to the crank trying to turn through it.
As far as the wife's gentle comments---- Keep the Triumph in the living room where it will stay nice and toasty--easy starting, problem solved! :-D

Mike
Kansas, America

 

[jonkull]

So I'm thinking it could be cold related. Today we had a nice warm sunny day and it started right up. I may change to a different oil and see if that helps.

 

[panda]

On 2006-12-23 19:45, jonkull wrote:
So I'm thinking it could be cold related. Today we had a nice warm sunny day and it started right up. I may change to a different oil and see if that helps.

Try a 15w40 sg rated oil. But also theer have been a couple of good points made. The shrinking primary chain. and wet sumping.
good luck

 

[okiecityflash]

If the clutch is NOT BROKEN FREE, you are turning the motor and the tranny with 90 weight fluid. 90 weight gets pretty thick at low temps. Just a thought. :???:

 

[GrandPaulZ]

The clutch being "solidified" together with thick oil or being free should not feel any different when kicking the engine, you NEED the clutch engaged to drive the crank with the kickstarter. You wouldn't be turning the tranny unless it was in gear.

 

[rambo]

hi okie,just a point.the clutch is always locked anyway when you start it.so you are always turning the primary oil and gearbox.primary oil is not an issue as the clutch does not sit in oil.been using my bonnie today at 0 degrees with 20/50 oil and starts first kick,as always.little tip here.use a bit of upper cylinder lubricant.i always squirt a bit in the carbs when i park up.most of the friction is in those cold bores

 

[red59]

cold weather-below 50 degrees makes it tough to start. What you may try is open the throttle fully (choke open)with the ignition off and kick it three times. then primer it up(choked) and kicker trough wiyhout opening the throttle. If it fires a few revs and stops. repeat.

 

[GrandPaulZ]

His whole issue is the stiff first kicks...