Bike Hates Cold

[pinkyfloyd]

Took a few goes this afternoon to start the bike up, she would turn over but not fire and eventually with a backfire she started. This evening however, just as I was about to head to work (always the way) she turned over but wouldnt fire at all. End result is a dead battery. Is this inherrent in twins or do I just need to take the thing to a mechanic and give it a good service. I've only had the bike a few weeks but it was serviced not so long ago according to the prev.

[tony.mon]

If you got a backfire when it finally started that time then maybe you're using too much choke.

There's a lot of variation in Firestorm starting needs, and I really can't explain why.
But some bikes need choke full on, some seem to start better (even in cold conditions) with half or almost no choke.
Mine, for instance, rarely needs choke at all, I just catch the first cough on the throttle and hold it at 1800 or 2000 for a minute until it will idle.

But as a rough rule of thumb try no throttle, half choke and see if that helps.
Bear in mind, though, these are a big engine to turn over from cold, the battery doesn't have much in reserve and so a mod to the higher capacity battery is a good idea if you're going to use it over winter.

Oil- going to a 5w 40 semi synth might help.

And an Optimate or similar will help to keep your battery in best shape.

The bad news is that on a cold and frosty day, you will struggle to bump start it, and anyone pushing will probably snap the cold lugs off the tail plastics.

[Richy]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=383992

I've much larger one of these in the car, but something like this should be fine for a bike when you're at home. Feck all use though if it won't start when you're leaving work.

Free delivery from Maplin too, until 29/11/10

[pinkyfloyd]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=383992

Oddly enough I picked one of them up today.

Managed to get her jumped with the help of a local car and a good run charged the battery. She did struggle a little tonight but did start after half a dozen turns or so.

Going to get the beast serviced in the next couple of weeks when I get paid. Change the spark plugs etc. So hopefully she'll do me right over the winter.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Fireman on a Storm]

Both of my storms didn't like starting in the cold if left over night, if they did start normally with a back fire they would be fine all day.
An optimate type of battery charger (battery manager) solved the problem.
Big v twins need a well charge battery to fire them up especially with cold thick engine oil. The cold does reduce a batteries abillity to hold a charge.
I just plugged the bike in over night and it never failed to start!

Hope this helps Paul

[tony.mon]

Does no harm to pop a couple of cheap lightweight jump leads under the seat, though.

Obviously protected from contact with the battery terminals

You can generally find a biker in his car to get a jump start from.

[pinkyfloyd]

The last few days shes started fine. Think she just didnt like the first cold day. It has been colder since and after a few turns she barks into life. Much to my relief.

I have taken to riding with jump leads in my bag to and from work, just in case.