starting bike in the cold!

butterob · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 May 2006 Karma :

hi guys went to start my bike the other day as my mot's run out on the car and it wouldn't start! battery was fine becuase when i got home from work it started straight away! could it be a carb icing problem? bit of damp? bikes a 96 bandit 600. Any tips on how to start in the cold i tried bumping it but it was having none of it Sad

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j1 zx6r in green
g2 zx6r trackbike Trackdays done: Mallory park, Brands Hatch Indy, Snetterton 300

Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

Its a tricky time of year on the 7 as it doesn't like starting on no choke, and almost refuses to start on full choke. Its a quick game of turning the engine over, when it fires hold the revs and ram on the choke to suit. It can be a little fiddly and probably why it started with a huge backfire this morning at 06.30.

Easiest way in the cold should be:

Full choke
Starter button
No revs and just keep the thumb on the button until the engine kicks in.

Be patient and try and not flood the engine and ultimately the battery.

Try not to start with the lights on, again putting strain on the battery.

alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

what whosthedaddy said, but my personal opinion is you should experiment with choke positions, bikes are all different.

I've found the perfect position for my hornet - full choke and as soon as the engine "grabs" so to speak blip the throttle a little bit. This starts the bike straight away every time.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

Finglonga · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Karma :

Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

Yer it'd be great wouldn't it! Either that or an automatic choke.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

butterob · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 May 2006 Karma :

thanks fo the help guys! got a new car for over the winter now though Embarassed

i know i'm a fair weather biker an that Wink

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j1 zx6r in green
g2 zx6r trackbike Trackdays done: Mallory park, Brands Hatch Indy, Snetterton 300

alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

Pfft, FAG.

To be fair, I've always said "nah, never get a car, i'm sticking to bikes", but If I had a car this winter, I'd bloody well use it! It's been so cold recently that I am sort of dreading this winter.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70