Frozen C90 Problems...

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Well I had a few problems with my C90 this morning...

First of all the front drum brake was seized on - the lever wouldn't move so I gave it a pretty good pull after pouring some hot water on it and it freed up. I coud see the mechanism down at the wheel working but the brakes were still on and the wheel not turning. Is this a common problem on cable operated drum brakes? I've only had hydraulic disc brakes in the past so this is all new to me.

Secondly, it wouldn't start, it was dead. Key in and turned and the electrics fired up, kicking it felt like the killswitch was enagaged ie no hint of starting and pressing the electric start made the starter whirr but didn't turn over the engine. The bike had started fine the day before and the day before that. Could very cold weather cause fuelling issues?

Basically, could both of these be caused by the cold? Both of my bikes were covered in quite thick ice this morning. My XT only started after quite a bit of trying and that's always started on the button. It felt like no fuel was getting through, same as the C90 when I was kicking it.

Any ideas?

[tatters]

All casued by the cold, metal contracting/freezing fuel-air vapor etc


In places like russia they heat the engines up by lighting a fire under the sump or going over it with a blow torch before starting, its even worst starting old diesal engines in the cold.
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[fiery tupp]

[Teflon-Mike]

Yes, things can get a bit stiff in the cold, but this is Britain, not Alaska...
Your front braks shouldn't sieze on or freeze in this kind of weather. Yes, may be a bit heavier, but they shouldn't seize.
As you said, your used to self adjusting, hydraulic discs, so likely that you haven't serviced it? (likewise former owners!)
For peace of mind, and the cost of a tub of coppa-slip and some 3 in 1 oil, I'd pull the hub, clean the brake surfaces, grease the cam, pivots and actuator rod. Re-assemble, lube the cable, and adjust.
Fuel: we dont tend to suffer teh waxing problem of old diesels, but on old diesels, as often as the actual fuel-oil setting through cold, fuel starvation was caused by water in the fuel 'feezing'. Diesels normally have a large fuel filter with sediment bowl, or 'Water-Trap' to actually collect condensation in the fuel, and these do still occassionally 'freeze', if theres a lot of water in them.
For bikes, same thing can happen. Water collects in the lowest point in the system. Petrol tap, normally has two raised take-off points inside the tank, one for main-tank, a lower one for 'reserve'.
You get most condensation in the tank. It comes in with ambient air, coming in through the breather as the petrols drained from the tank. As the petrols used, so the more air you get, and with it more water. Then when the bikes left in the cool, the condensation condenses on the wall of the tank, and settles to the bottom of the tank.
Petrol tank take-off's are normally above the level of condensation, so you wont normally collecte enough water in the tank to suck any into the carbs. Especially if you rarely use reserve.
But it is a common problem on all year commuter bikes, when the weather is cooler and damper, and air being drawn in the tank has more moisture in it, and the temperature cole enough to make more of it condense on the tank walls.
Tank should be periodically drained, by removal of the fuel-tap, to remove accumulated condensation, from the bottom.
Theres often a very small sedimenter bowl on the bottom of the fuel-tap, that like the water-trap on a diesel, can collect some settled water (and or crap) which should also be removed and cleaned.
Battery: cold weather makes batteries tired. Lowers the 'exitability' of the electrolyte, so they dont hold as much charge or deliver up what they do have quite as eagerly.
Winter riding also tires them, harder starting, more use of lights, and more concervative riding, draining them harder for longer, and not offering as much chance to re-charge them.
Check the age of the battery, may be past its best. Check the electrolytle. May be low or tuired. Give it a trickle charge to 'condition' it, and top the charge to the max.
Basically, bit of all-round servicing. Might not solve all, but should make life easier, and give better clue where to look for specific problems.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

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Hi Chaps,

I think it has been a combination of the cold and in need of a general service.

I got home today and thought I'd give it a go as it's a couple of degrees warmer today and sure enough the brakes had freed themselves and eventually the bike started.

Like you said Mike, I think the battery is definitely a bit tired as well and the brakes need a look at. The cable is a bit gummed up so for the sake of a tenner I've got a new one on the way. I'll also give it some fresh oil as it's black and do the valve clearances at the same time. I might drain the tank as well as per Mike's info as a the fuel could have water in it and it may be old.

God knows when the bike had a service but bless it, it's done nearly 50k miles and still running OK, it's time it was shown a bit of love.

[ms51ves3]

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