Frozen starts not good

Image · Post by **Image** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:39 pm

On frozen mornings my battery is tired and doesn't start the bike. Tried a brand new battery, still same. Any ideas?

tony.mon · Post by **tony.mon** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:17 pm

You could try checking the starter motor lead.
First, though, check battery terminals.

I've known the lead to start to corrode inside the insulation, so just to check try adding a length of cooker flex in addition to the starter lead, bolted firmly both ends.
If it starts easily, that's the problem.

Otherwise, but less likely, starter motor brushes.

Image · Post by **Image** » Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:30 pm

Thanks. I'll check that. Already checked battery terminals are tight.

Steve6088 · Post by **Steve6088** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:32 am

|ve been having the same problem with mine when it has been left out overnight in this very cold weather. Starts fine again now it is slightly warmer though

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 12:56 pm

I had the same problem on both of mine even when left in the garage. An optimate charger solved the problem. Once started in the morning it would be fine all day.
A 1000cc v twin with lots of compression and cold oil does need a healthy battery!

bazza696 · Post by **bazza696** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:42 pm

I have found the best method is to cover it with an electric blanket and a duvet over that.

AMCQ46 · Post by **AMCQ46** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:44 pm

bazza696 wrote:I have found the best method is to cover it with an electric blanket and a duvet over that.

and then get in the car and go to work!

seb421 · Post by **seb421** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:08 pm

Strange that so many have problems with the cold, mine gets fired up at 3am when its very very cold in an open warehouse and it goes on the button first press

Has had a new type Honda R/R about 6 month old, and a new YUSA batt about 2 year ago.

No corrosion tho, and I use Vaseline under the rubber boot of the starter motor to keep the sh1t from corroding in there

20 mile run each way to work on the motorway

Steve6088 · Post by **Steve6088** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:40 pm

CO

seb421 wrote:Strange that so many have problems with the cold, mine gets fired up at 3am when its very very cold in an open warehouse and it goes on the button first press

Has had a new type Honda R/R about 6 month old, and a new YUSA batt about 2 year ago.

No corrosion tho, and I use Vaseline under the rubber boot of the starter motor to keep the sh1t from corroding in there

20 mile run each way to work on the motorway

Could just be that the 20mile run is giving you battery a decent charge. I'm only riding a few miles to the train station as it is too cold to ride all the way. I don't think this helps.

lloydie · Post by **lloydie** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:56 pm

Try stick coils and new plugs
Mine used to be a git to start but now it's tug tug tug BANG vrrrruym

Sorry officer
The voices made me do it

Image · Post by **Image** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:14 pm

Yeah, it starts fine the rest of the time. Like Steve6088 it's when it's left out overnight on frosty nights. I wonder if it's because it's a twin. A 4 cylinder 1000cc bike only has to fire up one 250cc bore to set things off but storms have to ignite a 500cc bore. That's a big piston.

Fireman, tell me more about optimate chargers. What are they? How much? Where from? What difference do they make?

Incidentally, one day last week here it was minus 4 all day and storm wouldn't start after a days work. Embarrasing. All other times it's done that to me though have been early dark frosty mornings. I've had to invest in a battery booster. Not an ideal solution.

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:35 pm

Image wrote:Fireman, tell me more about optimate chargers. What are they? How much? Where from? What difference do they make?

.

Optimate is a brand name. Basically it's battery charger/battery mantenace. You wire the supplied lead direct to your battery, this has a plug on it that you cable tie in an accesable position. When you park the bike up plug the charger into the cable tied plug and switch it on. The chager basically monitors your battery and charges it if it loses charge while parked up.

Look here
http://www.optimate.co.uk/optimate%203+.htm

I can't remeber the make of the one that I have got but it was only about Â£25.
Once I started using mine it didn't matter how cold it was or how long the bike had been park up it statrted on the button every time, first time. Even after a 2 month lay up because I was baby sitting a 1200 bandit for a mate and using that every day it still started first time.

Image · Post by **Image** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:46 pm

Good kit but the problem I have with the optimate charger is that it involves removing the seat and disconecting the optimate charger each morning which is pretty much the same as what I'm doing now to use a battery booster. Call me fussy but I expect to just jump on my bike and go.

tony.mon · Post by **tony.mon** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:49 pm

No, they come with a waterproof socket that you wire in (with an in-line fuse, 7.5 watt, also supplied)
So you then just undo a connector and ride.

Wicky · Post by **Wicky** » Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:55 pm

This was a handy inexpensive mod for mounting a plug & play Optimate connector - http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11632

VTR1000.ORG