Freezing Cold - Trike wont start

[Robert53]

Temps here in New England have been brutal lately. I keep my trike on a trickle charger and thought it a good idea to start it and let it get warm. However, although it turns over well, it will not start. It fires when I hit the starter but only seems to fire on one cylinder and won't run on its own. I was thinking of spraying some starter fluid in the throttle body but thought I'd get some input here if anyone else experienced the same issue. Thanks

[1dn5up]

ECM is not geting the full voltage needed. The starter is robing most of it as to a cold motor full of glue at this point.!

[Jack Klarich]

I would not use ether

Wait for a bit warmer weather

Try a bigger battery charger

Do not run starter motor more than you have to

Ether is way to flammable and gives you a dry start neither are good for your engine

[MDO]

Temps here in New England have been brutal lately. I keep my trike on a trickle charger and thought it a good idea to start it and let it get warm. However, although it turns over well, it will not start. It fires when I hit the starter but only seems to fire on one cylinder and won't run on its own. I was thinking of spraying some starter fluid in the throttle body but thought I'd get some input here if anyone else experienced the same issue. Thanks

Robert53, many questions come to mind. The general consensus is if you winterized the trike properly, you should just let it sit till spring.

1. What year is it/how old is the battery?

2. Did you fill the gas tank fully, adding the proper amount of your chosen fuel stabilizer?

3. Did you service the trike before putting it to bed?

4. What weight oil do you have in it?

[ultrafxr]

Robert, it is not good to start your bike if you are not going to ride and get everything up to full operating temperature. Here is a link to an article on the subject:

https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/130/

[rhino 2]

Temps here in New England have been brutal lately. I keep my trike on a trickle charger and thought it a good idea to start it and let it get warm. However, although it turns over well, it will not start. It fires when I hit the starter but only seems to fire on one cylinder and won't run on its own. I was thinking of spraying some starter fluid in the throttle body but thought I'd get some input here if anyone else experienced the same issue. Thanks

You say you are using a trickle charger ?, If that the case that will not charge a battery,The security system on a Tri-Glide will use more juice then it puts out. And can if left on for extended periods damage a battery...

But if you mean Battery tender...Then don't use ether [starting fluid] Just let the trike sit till spring ...When you put a bike/trike away for the winter you should not start it...Unless you are going to ride it for at least 20/25 miles..Not just let it sit there and idle...

[Jack Klarich]

If you are current on an oil change as MDO said

You will be degrading your engine oil if you are not riding it up to operating temps

This is 2 problems in one

1 you are not burning off ALL the fuel and water vapors

2 You stand a chance of sludge building up in your oil

Up to and including ice

When that ice breaks down it will be in your oil

I say let it sit til spring JMO

[frostbite51]

My dad told me in the old days they would stick a trouble light under the oil pan overnight. The heat would warm the oil enough to make for easier starting.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I will echo what others have said,if not riding and getting engine and oil to operating temps just wait till spring.

[GARYD]

I did my annual Jan. 1st Freeze Your Ass Off ride monday. When I left it was -6 degrees F. Don't know what the wind chill was at 55 mph. Unfortunately at the last minute I couldn't find my heat controller for my jacket liner (still can't). I decided to go anyway and see how far I could get. Normally we go 30 miles which usually takes about an hour. I only made it 15 miles before I started to get uncomfortable so I stopped at a biker pub for lunch. It was better on the way home - after all it was 3 degrees warmer. LOL

So that was my coldest ride so far. If the heated gear had been working, who knows how far I could have gone.

I change to 10-40 oil for the winter. I ride every Sunday. I'm not spending $35K on a bike and then store it 5 to 6 months every year. I put a waterbed heater under the bike when the temps really get cold - - like last weekend.

[rhino 2]

I did my annual Jan. 1st Freeze Your Ass Off ride monday. When I left it was -6 degrees F. Don't know what the wind chill was at 55 mph. Unfortunately at the last minute I couldn't find my heat controller for my jacket liner (still can't). I decided to go anyway and see how far I could get. Normally we go 30 miles which usually takes about an hour. I only made it 15 miles before I started to get uncomfortable so I stopped at a biker pub for lunch. It was better on the way home - after all it was 3 degrees warmer. LOL

So that was my coldest ride so far. If the heated gear had been working, who knows how far I could have gone.

I change to 10-40 oil for the winter. I ride every Sunday. I'm not spending $35K on a bike and then store it 5 to 6 months every year. I put a waterbed heater under the bike when the temps really get cold - - like last weekend.

I'm right with you on that.....

[Bikerbozo]

A couple of serious suggestions. I have a ‘10 TG that is left outside all year. Started up Mon in 6’F and Tues in 12’F temps with no help. I use Amsoil. Compensator was also last replaced with aftermarket that weighs 5 lbs less. Sometimes I also put a magnetic oil heater (from truck parts store) under oil pan. Needed a spring added to reach ground and hold in place since pan is non-magnetic. I am planning on using it this coming weekend since low of -1’F called for and I want to ride.

[trikermutha]

Holey Crap you rode in that nasty cold temps Monday.

It was brutal that day we didn't want to leave the warm house

[GARYD]

Holey Crap you rode in that nasty cold temps Monday.

It was brutal that day we didn't want to leave the warm house

I left a warm house for a toasty warm ride. At least for 14 miles.

If I had my heat controller, I could have gone even further.

I was only concerned if Harleys anti freeze solution would handle that cold.

[GARYD]

A couple of serious suggestions. I have a ‘10 TG that is left outside all year. Started up Mon in 6’F and Tues in 12’F temps with no help. I use Amsoil. Compensator was also last replaced with aftermarket that weighs 5 lbs less. Sometimes I also put a magnetic oil heater (from truck parts store) under oil pan. Needed a spring added to reach ground and hold in place since pan is non-magnetic. I am planning on using it this coming weekend since low of -1’F called for and I want to ride.

I put a couple 2" thick foam pads with the waterbed heater on top under the engine. That puts the heater about 1/4" from the oil pan. The foam pads and heater are about 15" x 40" so it covers the whole bottom of the engine and transmission. Then throw a blanket over the bike to hold in the heat. That and 10-40 oil, the bike starts as if it was summer.

[Burnerboy]

My bikes in in the garage, with wheels off floor 1" and a nice coat of wax all over, full tank of fuel (and preservative added) with a battery maintainer hooked up, just waiting for spring to arrive VERY early this year... (wishful thinking here)....In the meantime, out comes my snow skies, and time to think snow!

Ronnie

[Robert53]

Hit 48 today. Pulled off the cover and she fired right up. Two days of rain washed away all the snow and the roads are clear, dry and clean. 210 mile ride today, tomorrow in the 50s so hopefully another great day. I guess it needed to be a bit warme for it to come out of hibernation!

[Bikerbozo]

Why yes, that was more than the dusting I expected to wake up to in the hotel in CT. Made for an interesting ride to job site. Took me an hour. Couldn’t go over 30 mph at best on highway. And yes, those are icicles hanging off spotlights (which were on).

[Burnerboy]

I had to stand on my head, to see the picture............

Thank God, most of the woman I'm with all claim I do have a flat head..............

Ronnie

[520fd]

And don't try to start it in Gear.