Winter starting

[Greybeard]

I also always let the engine empty the carb when I'm finished running the bike.

I've never experienced problems with petrol left in the tank from last season. Perhaps UK petrol is still better than some other countries.

[berger]

when I used to use mine for work if didn't fire up after a few kicks the plugs were held over the gas stove put back in and that worked a treat. I can remember being a young en and my dad trying the moggy 1000 after a snow storm and the wind had whipped the snow through the front grill and covered the engine. it wouldn't start because the battery was weak and struggled to turn it over. out came the starting handle and away we went. years later it was a discussion with his mates about WHY don't they make cars with starting handles anymore.

[Greybeard]

...WHY don't they make cars with starting handles anymore.

Cars these days do not have a spare wheel, hence no jack either!

[berger]

don't they have that thin emergency wheel and a jack now? there's so much wrong in this present time we live in

[Black Sheep]

Bizarrely, my wife's Subaru came with a spare wheel well but no spare wheel, just a can of skoosh. A spare wheel was rapidly obtained and proved useful.
So many vehicles have spare wheels under the bodyshell where they are subjected to years of salt spray and neglect and hence of no use when required.
How come Easy Start is essential for the tractor or lawnmower when it's cold but does nothing for a reluctant bike?

[RDfella]

Easy start works well on diesels (just spray past the intake, not directly into it or you may blow a head gasket or worse) but less so on petrol. However, it has come in useful on the B31 (actually B33 engine now, with light flywheels and 9:1 comp ratio).

[Greybeard]

don't they have that thin emergency wheel and a jack now? there's so much wrong in this present time we live in

Our Panda had an emergency spare but our latest vehicle just has a pressurised can of sealer and a battery powered compressor.

[berger]

greybeard I have just lost the will to live. things are now all in a sorry state. the job is ******

[Alex kettle]

I think the idea of loosing the spare is to gain precious fuel economy figures. The invention of run flat tyres too has seen its demise too. I wouldn’t be without a spare wheel and don’t like the idea of run flats myself. If I ever have trouble starting anything I find a quick squirt of brake cleaner does wonders.

[bsa-bill]

How come Easy Start is essential for the tractor or lawnmower when it's cold but does nothing for a reluctant bike?

It's a class thing

[muskrat]

G'day Fellas.
Wots Winter
I sort of found out moving over the mountains in July. Morning temps just below 0c.
I believe oil viscosity has a lot to do with it and wet sumping makes it worse. My 51 A7 with 40/70 oil that wet sumps is a prime example.
Then there's the fuel/air ratio. Cold air needs more fuel hence the extra tickle and two prime kicks instead of one. On really cold morns I'd start with a #5 plug to warm up then put the #7 back in (just like the old days racing my Montesa GPMW360 two stroke).
As for age of fuel, I've found the higher octane doesn't last as long as the poverty grade. Anything over two months old goes in the parts washer.
Cheers

[Greybeard]

greybeard I have just lost the will to live. things are now all in a sorry state. the job is ******

For gawds sake don't commit suicide, things will look better when you can get to the pub. 

[scotty]

This is the stuff I use in all of my gasoline engines that sit for long periods.
Motorbikes, mowers, chainsaws, generators, mobile pumps, boat engines and errr..snowblowers
Works for me

[Black Sheep]

Must just be lucky. I've never had problems with petrol going off. I can leave a Land Rover 6 months or a generator a year and they start just fine. I generally try and keep petrol tanks full just to prevent condensation build up (the worst for that is the central heating oil tank - before each delivery I have to pump out 5 0r more litres of water).
Perhaps BP Ultimate is better than some.
My record was starting an A10 that had been standing for 17 years with the petrol that had been in the tank all that time.

[groily]

I must also have 'lucky' petrol (standard unleaded 98 from wherever). Things start after long intervals, no problem - including in winter even when thick oil makes them sluggish. 
But I am a heavy sod and engines daren't resist the bulk. I have concluded that the mixture of protein, fat and carbs consumed is as important as the mixture supplied to carbs with jets in.