Cold morning, won't start

[Chisenhallw]

Got me an 86 GS650G. Love it, but she don't like the cold. In the summer time, when it's been warm (~50 deg F) she'll just turn right over like a good lover and whip on down the road.

But when it's even remotely cold, lordy don't even shake her. It ain't worth your time.

So now I'm looking at ways to keep parts of the bike warm at night, or at least warm them in the morning. I have a crazy idea about laying an electric blanket over the crank-case for a while. Or setting a space heater near it for a while.

Suggestions?

[Thomas Kenny]

You might try an electric dipstick heater? Take the dipstick from your vehicle wipe it off and put it down the oil fill hole on your bike and see how far it goes into the oil. If you get quite a bit of oil on the dipstick then you know that an electric dipstick heater will work. They also make electric battery pads for auto that you might look at at well to keep your battery toasty. Tom

41 years in Alaska

[Dave8338]

Does your bike spin over with the starter and just not fire? Is it slow to turn over, not fast enough to start? Have you checked all the connections and is your stator/RR working properly?

[rustybronco]

does the choke cable work CORRECTLY? does it move the rod on all the carbs

[Chisenhallw]

I've just had the electrics thoroughly checked, and they're A-Ok. As far as I can tell the choke cable is fine. Like I said, it winds right up in warm weather. Just not in cold.

Electric dipstick heaters make me nervous, but I'm willing to try anything once.

[earlfor]

I've just had the electrics thoroughly checked, and they're A-Ok. As far as I can tell the choke cable is fine. Like I said, it winds right up in warm weather. Just not in cold.

Electric dipstick heaters make me nervous, but I'm willing to try anything once.

The only difference between hot and cold weather starting is battery voltage.
The colder the temperature, the lower the voltage level in the battery. I suspect your battery is marginal. Hot weather, its sufficient, but drop a couple voltage points due to lower temperatures, and it isnt. Before trying to start the bike one cold morning, you might want to check the voltage level at the battery terminals. A good battery should be above 12.5 volts. Mine rests around 12.86 volts, but then I use a gel mat battery which holds a slightly higher volt level than the lead acid type.

Earl

[Road_Clam]

The only difference between hot and cold weather starting is battery voltage.

Earl

Not totally.
When a bike is baseline jetted the manufactures have to "compramise" a given temperature range. Typically for every 10 degrees of temp change requires a 1 size jet change (in theory). So if a bike is jetted to run optimum at 75F, its running lean at 45F. A cold engine requires a far richer mixture to combust than a hot engine. A choke is a mechanical band-aid for cold weather starting. My bike takes forever to lite off at 45F and below. You are also correct about cold weather voltage output being lower. Also in the cold weather starting equasion is a cold "tight" engine, which draws more starter amperage from a higher load, than a hot engine.

[DimitriT]

I suspect you are not getting enough fuel through your choke circuit. Maybe the carbs need a cleaning?

[rustybronco]

As far as I can tell the choke cable is fine.

does it move the choke rod?
simple things first.

[nabrams]

There's an easy way to determine if it's a voltage issue.
Jump the bike battery to your car battery (car must NOT be running!!!!!).
If it starts , then you'll know it's a voltage issue with your bike's battery.
If it still won't start, then you've got a choke problem and/or an airbox problem (do you have pods?).

By the way, you should be able to start the bike in 20 degree (Farenheit) weather if all is well.

[gsgeezer]

I have never had a problem starting my GS in the cold.
I would definately check the battery.
Will it start with starter fluid?

I have had other bikes that didn't like a cold start but the GS1000, and my nephew's GS850 (which I used to borrow and ended up buying) started right up in freezing cold weather.

[chef1366]

I have to agree on either a bad battery or a clogged choke circuit. My bike starts fine from twenty-five degrees to one-hundred degrees F with no problem.
Did you ever answer the question about the choke rail moving?

[SqDancerLynn1]

How old is the battery ?? I had a GS1000E many years ago. If it was started & run everyday it was fine, if left for a few day I could crank it for 5 minutes until the battery was dead and it would not fire. Hook up jumper cables and it would fire right up. Cure??? Replaced the battery, no more problem!!!! This is in So Calif. DO you have provisions to turn the headlight off ??? That could help

[Road_Clam]

I have to agree on either a bad battery or a clogged choke circuit. My bike starts fine from twenty-five degrees to one-hundred degrees F with no problem.
Did you ever answer the question about the choke rail moving?

I don't really know why my bike is so stubborn under 40F. It lites off fine, but simply won't idle at all, and quickly dies. I can't tell if its too much choke, and it's drowning the engine, or not enough choke..... I try all different choke positions, and generally after the 4th start-N-stall, it will stay running.

[argonsagas]

A simple extra step when cold....before touching the ignition, take the bike OFF the sidestand and keep it fully upright. Set the petcock to PRIme for a few seconds to be certain the bowls are full. Pull the choke ON fully and turn the key.

There is always a temptation to touch the throttle....just a bit.......but this will almost certainly not help.