97 vfr hard to start in the cold, anything to help?

So it took a bit of cranking to get my bike started this morning, but I finally got her running.

She's now 5 blocks away at the library, I wasn't able to get her started when I wanted to go, so I walked back...

Any tips on cold starting?

Maybe I'm doing it wrong? Usually I fiddle around with the choke until something happens...

 

When you try and start it, what was it doing?

-Is it just cranking but the engine won't fire up?
-Is the starter just spinning when you press the start button?
-Is there only a clicking sound when you press the start button?
-Does nothing at all happen when you press the starter button?

 

Cranking but won't fire up, if I put the clutch level all the way down I get a sputter or two, but that's a bout it.

Sometimes it will for for like half a second or so.

 

I would suggest checking the travel on the linkage at the carbs to insure the choke lever is actually pulling the plungers oot correctly and evenly . The simple and most likely stuff first.

 

Can I find that in the shop manual? (I'm looking for it / can't find it)

I've never messed with choke linkage or carbs before, but thanksgiving week is coming, so hopefully I'll have some time too. How do I check that?

idk if this is relevant, but just last week I replaced the r/r, I think it's all working fin, because the bike ran and started before it got cold, and the headlights would brighten with increased rev (took it to mean more juice was being pumped into battery).

 

Bit warmer today, and I went to start it... same story.

I can see the fuel in the gas tank, that means there's probably enough, right?

Is it time to make sure my batt is charged enough (12.5, right) and pull some spark plugs?

(how do I get the spark plugs)

 

If you haven't ridden the bike for a few days, much of the fuel has evaporated from the carbs, and you'll need to crank for a few seconds to goose the fuel pump into action and fill the carbs again. If the battery is not strong, it might not have enough extra strength to power all the items needed for starting after the initial attempt. While sending 95% of its power to the starter motor, the battery may be insufficient, after filling the carbs, to power the ignition system at the same time if the battery is at all marginal.

It helps alot on bikes that are not ridden more than 3 or 4 times a week to install the "fuel pump relay by-pass mod," which brings the fuel pump into action as soon as the key is turned on......without the extra cranking usually needed.

Be aware that too much choke (if it's working right) will flood the plugs with excess fuel, so always start off with zero-to-1/4 choke, and only increase more while engine is cranking over. Use of full choke is seldom needed, and anything over 1/2 can add too much fuel too quickly for plugs to keep dry. If engine is warm, no choke at all should be needed.

Nothing helps starting better than a strong battery, proper use of the choke, along with clean, correctly-gapped (.032") sparkplugs.

 

This is a fouled spark plug... right? This is #1, pulled the tank and cracked one of the breather tubes before I realized I didn't have too...

spark plug #1

The fluid smells like gas, but looks a bit dark... could this be from the oil change I did earlier? was 20w-50...

 

Also should note that when I did the oil change there was no coolant in the coolant container so I topped it off...

 

Low coolant is an indication that you need to check/refill UNDER THE RADIATOR CAP as well as the bottle.

Can't tell from your photo anything much about the plug, wrong angle.

 

Is this a better angle?

pic

To get at the radiator I got to take the front off... eh?

 

got her running with some help from reddit
'97 vfr wet plugs? : Fixxit

 

20w50 is some heavy weight oil. (The manual calls for 10w40)
Is it still that warm in Cali that you're using such think oil?

When was the last time the plugs were changed?

I can't see the pics you posted of your plugs. I'm getting a "gateway error"

 

I need to change my profile, not in cali anymore, road it over to illinois, and it's getting pretty cold...

I think that's what finally did it yesterday, changing the plugs.

Should I change the oil again with something lighter weight? What happens if I have heavy oil in cold?

 

Yeah. using the proper weight oil will help a bit.

In the cold the oil will always be a little thicker...a 20w50 oil will be even more thick. Might take a little more juice to turn the motor over.

Are you riding the bike anymore this season?

You mentioned on that Reddit that it might be running rough?

 

Yeah, I thought it might be, but it's nothing distinct, it might just be me imagining things...

I'll probably ride it a bit more, till it snows, it's getting to mid 40s now :/

Would you recommend changing it just in case then? Would it be done to try to save the oil in there?

 

Changing the oil?

Whats the mileage on the oil now?

If it's still fresh/clean then you may as well leave it in for the storage, but come spring time it may be sluggish to start.

 

Very little mileage, probably less than 50, I only put it in a couple weeks ago.
All I want to do is ride, it started raining here... no more trip to kentucky

 

Yea...just leave the oil in. Change it come Spring.