winter and dirt bike

idcountryboy1 · 11-22-2007, 12:58 PM

i would like it if everyone would put down what they do to keep there bikes running good in the cold i woke up today and it was 12 out so it get cold i need some ideas

panterra_rider · 11-22-2007, 09:07 PM

toughest part is getting it started...once it's warmed up it's good to go - from my experience. Just have to drive with choke on longer. Could switch to a more viscous synthetic oil???

Cheers,
R.

ambassador · 11-22-2007, 10:45 PM

Country,
I moved to Florida, that helped alot, Kidding... More choke...

katoranger · 11-24-2007, 04:37 PM

Switch to a lighter oil. If it is that cold probably a 5w30.

Also placing a heat lamp near the crankcase will help with the starting. Snowblower trick. Also worked good on the diesel injection pumps.

Make sure the choke is working properly.

Dress warm.

Allen

HardlyDangerous · 11-30-2007, 01:51 PM

I recommend Amsoil 0W-40 engine oil for cold weather.
be sure to warm up the engines really well before you ride off,

You will also want to adjust your mixture screw out 1/2 turn or more for a bit easier starting and better throttle responce, and for really cold weather you may even want to drop the needle clip 1 notch. I also like to move up 1 heat range on the spark plug and prefer iridium plugs over copper core plugs.

I also recommend buying a battery float charger something under 1 amp
harbor freight sells a decent little charger for around $5. you can simply hard wire a plug to the battery so you can just plug the charger in without removing plastics or the seat etc.

In cold weather i prefer to kick start engines that have them. it usually cranks the engines over faster the the starter does. the trick is to turn the engine over slowly until you feel heavy resistance on the kick start pedal, this means the piston is on the compression stroke. once you feel this it's ready for a hard kick. Be sure when starting a cold engine you use the choke and DO NOT open the throttle. opening the throttle will lean the mixture and makes cold starting harder. wait until it fires up before you touch the throttle.

katoranger · 11-30-2007, 02:21 PM

Great tip on the kickstarting.

It doesn't get that cold here in GA, but I do have a 1/2 amp charger for my battery.

Allen

idcountryboy1 · 12-06-2007, 01:09 PM

thanks so much on the kick starting i didnt know half that stuff

11-22-2007, 12:58 PM	#1
idcountryboy1 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: blanchard idaho Posts: 52	winter and dirt bike i would like it if everyone would put down what they do to keep there bikes running good in the cold i woke up today and it was 12 out so it get cold i need some ideas
	0

11-22-2007, 09:07 PM	#2
panterra_rider Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada! Posts: 85	toughest part is getting it started...once it's warmed up it's good to go - from my experience. Just have to drive with choke on longer. Could switch to a more viscous synthetic oil??? Cheers, R. __________________ 2 Hensim-built 150cc dirtbikes (Panterra branded) Kazuma 110cc Lacoste quad
	0

11-22-2007, 10:45 PM	#3
ambassador Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 1,200	Country, I moved to Florida, that helped alot, Kidding... More choke... __________________ 06 Lifan 200 GY-5
	0

11-24-2007, 04:37 PM	#4
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Switch to a lighter oil. If it is that cold probably a 5w30. Also placing a heat lamp near the crankcase will help with the starting. Snowblower trick. Also worked good on the diesel injection pumps. Make sure the choke is working properly. Dress warm. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

11-30-2007, 01:51 PM	#5
HardlyDangerous Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario canada Posts: 47	I recommend Amsoil 0W-40 engine oil for cold weather. be sure to warm up the engines really well before you ride off, You will also want to adjust your mixture screw out 1/2 turn or more for a bit easier starting and better throttle responce, and for really cold weather you may even want to drop the needle clip 1 notch. I also like to move up 1 heat range on the spark plug and prefer iridium plugs over copper core plugs. I also recommend buying a battery float charger something under 1 amp harbor freight sells a decent little charger for around $5. you can simply hard wire a plug to the battery so you can just plug the charger in without removing plastics or the seat etc. In cold weather i prefer to kick start engines that have them. it usually cranks the engines over faster the the starter does. the trick is to turn the engine over slowly until you feel heavy resistance on the kick start pedal, this means the piston is on the compression stroke. once you feel this it's ready for a hard kick. Be sure when starting a cold engine you use the choke and DO NOT open the throttle. opening the throttle will lean the mixture and makes cold starting harder. wait until it fires up before you touch the throttle. __________________ HARDLY DANGEROUS MOTOSPORTS
	0

11-30-2007, 02:21 PM	#6
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Great tip on the kickstarting. It doesn't get that cold here in GA, but I do have a 1/2 amp charger for my battery. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-06-2007, 01:09 PM	#7
idcountryboy1 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: blanchard idaho Posts: 52	kickstarting thanks so much on the kick starting i didnt know half that stuff
	0