How do you heat up your carb'ed engine so it starts in cold weather?

[No H2O]

My Ridgeback is my first carb'ed bike. Ran great in summer but now it's about 30 degrees and doesn't like starting.
Winters out here get a lot colder than 30 and I ride at least once per week, would like to ride 4-5 times per week.
It's in a carport under a cover so a heated garage is not an option.
My buddy recommended a space heater, those things are ridiculously inefficient and no way I'm running that thing overnight.
I'd thought about heat tape but the issue would be how to insulate the heat tape all the way around.
So the question for anyone with a carb'ed BDM without a heated garage, how do you keep/get your engine warm so it'll fire right up in cold weather?
(or is the better answer to bite the bullet and go EFI?)

 

[francoblay1]

My bike does sleep outside too....

1. Turn gas On.
2. Lift the enrichener to the top position.
3. Roll the throttle four times.
4. Start the bike.

Never had a problem, maybe if extremely cold it takes a coupe times to go trough the motions but always success.

Once started, wait 10-15 secs to lower the enrichener... then wait 2-3 minutes for the engine to warm up (at no more than 1200 rpm) and then Go!

 

[heybaylor]

enrichener should supply enough fuel to start, keeping throttle closed when using enrichener.( assuming good battery and starter)
if you have compression release's do they work?
what weight oil are you running?

 

[No H2O]

1. Turn gas On.
2. Lift the enrichener to the top position.
3. Roll the throttle four times.
4. Start the bike.

For step 3 I've rolled the throttle 2 times. No chance of a start. I'll try it 4 times tonight and report back.

Just so we're clear I would define "extremely cold" as single digits (F), the 30F that it's struggling with now I wouldn't consider extreme at all.

 

[pknowles]

For step 3 I've rolled the throttle 2 times. No chance of a start. I'll try it 4 times tonight and report back.

Just so we're clear I would define "extremely cold" as single digits (F), the 30F that it's struggling with now I wouldn't consider extreme at all.

I would be worried about tire grip on the below thirty degree weather days.

 

[No H2O]

enrichener should supply enough fuel to start, keeping throttle closed when using enrichener.( assuming good battery and starter)
if you have compression release's do they work?
what weight oil are you running?

I'm running the standard recommended 20-50 for V-Twins.
I'll first try starting with no throttle twists before trying Francobay's suggestion of 4 twists.
I don't believe I have compression releases since the heads are smooth and I don't see anything sticking out of the cylinders

 

[41bigdawg]

The compression releases are in your heads Brother...they are inside the round opening in the center of your rocker covers, stick your finger in the hole and you will feel the soft rubber boot that covers them, you can push them down to make sure they are open. If they are working properly they should open when you hit the start button.

 

[Mr. Wright]

Park it in your living room

 

[mjsk9]

Try this...…



https://www.instagram.com/smartiidea/p/BrV9zu3D4vk/

 

[francoblay1]

Try this...…
https://www.instagram.com/smartiidea/p/BrV9zu3D4vk/

https://www.bikebox24.eu/welcome/products/bikebox24-xl/

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Internal dimensions approx.
Length: 2.65 m / 104 "
Width: 1.25 m / 49 "
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Weight approx.
180 kg / 396 lb

Colour
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Price
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Standard has internal measurements of 2.5m long, 0.9m wide and 1.47m high and weighs 150kg,= while the XL is 2.65m x 1.25m x 1.55m and weighs 180kg.

They both come in silver metallic with the rear in anthracite.

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In Europe, prices include delivery, installation and adjustment at the customer’s home or work address.

BikeBox managing director Guido tells us they have a distributor in the US and are looking for a distributor to service Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, customers can buy via internet.

 

[No H2O]

Price
4.390, - € (including VAT, shipping costs on request, without export-packaging) Ouch!!!!

It's a good idea but it would be cheaper and take up less space for me to upgrade to an 08 EFI K-9
In principle I shouldn't have to bring this monstrosity into my life just so I can start a bike that should be starting regardless.
I'll try the tips on here and see if I can get 'er started later

 

[francoblay1]

Some cheaper options....

https://cenico.en.made-in-china.com...-Auto-Retractable-Shelter-Garage-Carport.html

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Some cheaper options....

https://cenico.en.made-in-china.com...-Auto-Retractable-Shelter-Garage-Carport.html

View attachment 61874 View attachment 61875

Not sure how any of this would really help...it will be maybe if lucky 1-2 degrees warmer.

Carb bikes are just harder to start in extreme cold which I would say is less than 30 degrees. I've ridden with heated gear in the 40's and it still sucks, so I'll pass. Hell I won't leave if won't be over 60 I moved south for a damn good reason.

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

 

[41bigdawg]

You could put a heavy blanket over it that covers all the way to the ground and then put a drop light with an incandescent bulb or a small ceramic heater inside the blanket. Put the light or heater on a timer that comes on about 2 hours before you want to start it. This will warm it up enough that it should start with no problem. I lived in Alaska for many years and we used to do this with snowmobiles when it was -20 or colder, works good

 

[Butch Cassidy]

Electric blanket. Make sure to keep dry.

 

[No H2O]

The compression releases are in your heads Brother...they are inside the round opening in the center of your rocker covers, stick your finger in the hole and you will feel the soft rubber boot that covers them, you can push them down to make sure they are open. If they are working properly they should open when you hit the start button.

I pushed the soft rubber boot down and felt whatever was down there depress in and stay in. When I hit the start button, they both came back up so they appear to be working correctly if I read your post right.

Tried the zero throttle twists with full choke, no cigar.
Tried the 4 throttle twists with full choke, no cigar.

 

[heybaylor]

I'm running the standard recommended 20-50 for V-Twins.
I'll first try starting with no throttle twists before trying Francobay's suggestion of 4 twists.
I don't believe I have compression releases since the heads are smooth and I don't see anything sticking out of the cylinders

whoops! I didn't mean not give the throttle a few blips BEFORE cranking.( accelerator pump)
just leave it closed While cranking ( let the enrichener do the fuel

 

[41bigdawg]

I pushed the soft rubber boot down and felt whatever was down there depress in and stay in. When I hit the start button, they both came back up so they appear to be working correctly if I read your post right.

Tried the zero throttle twists with full choke, no cigar.
Tried the 4 throttle twists with full choke, no cigar.

Sounds like they are...so it just cranks but wont start?

 

[Butch Cassidy]

.... if the air is freezing, you could have a tiny bit of water (ice) in the fuel in your carb or filter preventing the flow of fuel. Try using a hair dryer on the carb to melt the ice.

 

[Reddickracing]

If you got fuel and fire it should do something after a few twist on the throttle. Should spit and sputter and try to crank. Maybe I missed it but it is turning over huh?