Tire warmer or small electric blanket for engine?

[Carter Turk]

Wondering if a tire warmer or old electric blanket wrapped around engine might help start up in the winter months?
Merely a random thought, though I used to borrow an old Datsun truck that had a oil warmer or some such device to plug into.
To keep the engine oil warmer for easier start up.

Seems like no harm would be done and might aid in cold start ups, aside from garage fires from fumes or spark.
Not all folks have heated garages.
Any thoughts?

[GregT]

I used to work for a small heating manufacturer who made in-hose and in-block water heaters for things like fire engines. I was surprised when I fitted one to my van that they didn't have an inbuilt thermal cutout. So I hoseclipped an 18deg C cutout to the top hose fitting which worked fine...
It would be possible to alter a sump to accept a heating element but again it would need a thermal cutout - and any cord would need to be well secured too....

[Buffalo Bill]

I have a kerosene torpedo heater. I found that I can just point that at the front of the block from about 6ft away for 5 min. Works good, maybe I'll go riding today.

[Fjbj40]

Something like this https://www.amazon.ca/Canadian-Polar.../dp/B015CXHC1E glued with silicone to your oil sump is what we use on aircraft engines, it will keep the oil warm plus warm the whole engine for a much better cold start.

[bwringer]

If your GS doesn't start almost instantly in any temperature, there's some other problem.

Make sure the battery is charged, petcock on Prime, wait about 30 seconds to let the float bowls fill, choke on, hit the button.

[Burque73]

If your GS doesn't start almost instantly in any temperature, there's some other problem.

Make sure the battery is charged, petcock on Prime, wait about 30 seconds to let the float bowls fill, choke on, hit the button.

+1

Mine was hard to start a while back and I had to heat it for a bit like Bill said. Turns out the battery, while fully charged, was bad and needed replacing.

[bobgroger]

A modern fuel injected bike for the winter?

[tkent02]

If your GS doesn't start almost instantly in any temperature, there's some other problem.

Make sure the battery is charged, petcock on Prime, wait about 30 seconds to let the float bowls fill, choke on, hit the button.

+1, a well maintained GS is a beautiful thing.

[Carter Turk]

If your GS doesn't start almost instantly in any temperature, there's some other problem.

Make sure the battery is charged, petcock on Prime, wait about 30 seconds to let the float bowls fill, choke on, hit the button.

Yeah, my bike refuses to start in the mornings. Bored you all with starter clutch woes, but that is usually what keeps the bike from starting.
Once warm it usually starts fine, If the SC decides to engage. Bike has a Pingel petcock

[Steve]

Just one question here.

When you start the bike, are you taking it out for a ride?

OK, the answer to that question will lead to a couple others.

If you are taking it out for a ride, why are you applying Band-Aids to a problem, rather than fixing it properly? As others have already mentioned, you should only have to ensure the float bowls are full and the battery charged, then apply a bit of "choke" and give the starter a stern look, the bike will jump to life.

If you are NOT taking it out for a ride, why are you starting the bike?

.

[greg78gs750]

yeah, don't mean to pile on, but in bellingham you don't see any weather cold enough to cause a prob if things are properly sorted. you've been around here long enough to know that, heh....

[Carter Turk]

Just one question here.

When you start the bike, are you taking it out for a ride?


If you are NOT taking it out for a ride, why are you starting the bike?

.

I never start it and not go for a ride.
Bike seems happy while riding, it's just that the rollers don't seem strong enough to turn the engine over.
My other 1150 starts fine.

[Burque73]

Until you get it figured out maybe a halogen work lamp underneath the engine over night would provide just enough heat.

My garage isnt heated either btw. In fact, I havent been up on the roof to cover the turbine vents so its pretty close to outside temp in there maybe ten degrees warmer. My water bottle left on the work bench freezes.

[jibledso]

My GS750 is extremely cold natured but starts on the 1st or 2nd kick, it just takes a long time for it to completely warm up and really let go when you twist the throttle. My 2002 Bandit 1200 was as well,I think it's a Suzuki thing.

I had my bike outside for awhile, fuel stabilizer in the gas tank, but didn't run it so it never got into the carbs. It's dropped below zero several times. Finally got the bike inside and the fuel wasn't frozen when I drained the float bowls.

[Carter Turk]

Everytime I decide go for a ride, I walk out to the garage wondering if it's gonna start. It usually doesn't, even in the summer.
Sometimes I get lucky when the SC doesn't snatch and I'm pleasantly surprised. Maybe if I went back to dino oil things would be better, who knows.
Not sure if full synthetic oil was available back in 83, maybe it's too slippery for the old school 3-roller set up.