Starting a frozen bike

[thewwkayaker]

My snowbike is left outside (no room in garage). -2C at the house. Drove up the pass to play and it was -10 or colder. I have to kick start. Took a lot of sweat and a very long time to get it going. Once it was warmed up it started easily each time I killed it.

I know someone suggested a small torch - which I do have and carry - but I'd have to take off the skid guard to remove the snow blanket to then warm the oil pan and later put it all back together (and the guard with the snowblanket is a pain to put back - need to figure out a better solution to that).

Other suggestions to getting the bike to start easier in the field? When I overnight at huts this will be a bigger concern.

On other news - this early season has been amazing so far! (BC)

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Diesel truck exhaust pipe pointed at the motor?

Plug in block heater and a suitcase generator.

 

[d8grandpa]

Piece of flex hose off your truck exhaust and through a tarp over sled

 

[thewwkayaker]

No trucks at cabins in the backcountry sadly but I could try that at the start of a ride

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

If you aren't going to do the torch warming thing.

You could burn the snowbike and collect insurance.

buy a 2 stroke snowmobile?

 

[AllHatNoCattle]

I have a friend who has a canvas blanket/tarp he drapes over his bike and puts a small bbq under the bike for 5 minutes. Fires right up.

My bike had a homemade skid plate which like to catch a bit of oil when I changed it. He warmed my bike up and there was a small fire!! Fortunately we caught it right away, and I just had a bit of a melted skid plate. As far as I know thats the only time it got out of control for him.

 

[dooman92]

In the absence of a heat source, having 0-40 synthetic oil has helped my bikes start. I use a hairdryer whenever I have electricity. For the hut, carry one of those sterno cans like they use for keeping food warm under food pan. Small fire near/ under bike with a cover or tarp to capture heat. Tow to start if have other unit. Try small amount of starting fluid spray.

 

[M5-]

What kind of bike. If its a Yami you are kicking there is a starting procedure, its actually in the owners manual, probably work for any brand of bike. I have a kicker Yami as my "B" ride. Try this, Stand on the bike, kick the bike over slowly 10 times just going through the motion not really trying to start it. After 10 slow cycles set the bike to TDC, kick it like a rented mule actually trying to start it. TDC, Repeat. Mine starts almost every time on the 3rd kick regardless of outdoor temperature. There's a couple of things going on during the 10 slow kicks, first is you are putting a charge into the capacitor for the ignition as you don't have a battery, second is you are changing the charge in the cylinder. If I get on and just start kicking it just floods and takes forever to start. Use the same procedure if you dump it when riding and it doesn't want to re-start.

M5

 

[thewwkayaker]

What kind of bike. If its a Yami you are kicking there is a starting procedure, its actually in the owners manual, probably work for any brand of bike. I have a kicker Yami as my "B" ride. Try this, Stand on the bike, kick the bike over slowly 10 times just going through the motion not really trying to start it. After 10 slow cycles set the bike to TDC, kick it like a rented mule actually trying to start it. TDC, Repeat. Mine starts almost every time on the 3rd kick regardless of outdoor temperature. There's a couple of things going on during the 10 slow kicks, first is you are putting a charge into the capacitor for the ignition as you don't have a battery, second is you are changing the charge in the cylinder. If I get on and just start kicking it just floods and takes forever to start. Use the same procedure if you dump it when riding and it doesn't want to re-start.

M5

Yes it's a Yami and yes I do exactly that. Normally works but didn't yesterday in -10C. Had to repeat that for about 15-20min

 

[M5-]

Two other points I forgot to mention, Never touch the throttle, ever, and make certain not to forget to pull out the throttle enricher (choke, not really a choke) out.

M5

 

[M5-]

If the bike has a lot of hours it may be time for a valve set.

M5

 

[thewwkayaker]

If the bike has a lot of hours it may be time for a valve set.

M5

No it's good. Checked it and we'll within spec. Fired it up this morning, -6 on the temp gauge and it started fine. That's warmer than up the pass temps though. Jealous of everyone with their electric start!