I'm hoping this is just bad gas....

Hey guys!

Rode all summer great after the fantastic help and troubleshooting from everyone here on the forums. In Wisconsin here, it's getting cold, so my riding was reduced to once a week, and now it's just plain too cold for me to ride.

I would start the bike up each week and at least ride it up and down the driveway, let it run for 10-15 minutes or so, and then put it back in the garage after about an hour.

Then it got to be about 2-3 weeks before I was able to tend to it and now properly winterize (it's about to get REALLY cold here). It sat in a garage ( not heated, not on tender ) but it never really got below 30 degrees here up until the last few days.

So my question: I fired the bike up after some struggle, probably tried to start it 10-15 times. Then it fired up, but after about 5-6 minutes of it being on (gradually reducing choke), it dies. Then...I can't start it again for some time - no juice. According to battery tender the battery is fully charged, I haven't yet used volt meter, that's my next step just to double confirm battery is ok. Assuming that checks out, what am I missing? I go from being able to try and start it 10-15 times to nothing?

 

Voltmeter is you friend. Check that battery at rest and when you crank.
It's a lot colder up here near Tomahawk. Batteries don't play well in the cold.

Say hi to Tim at The Shop!

 

I would agree with Stumplifter that it's probably the battery. I keep mine on a battery tender all the time.

 

Batteries don't like cold , especially ones on their last leg.
Also those short runs have likely fouled your plugs. I bet they are black . Possibly a new battery in the spring and new plugs will have it running good.

 

I'm going with battery

 

for your winter starts I would advise disconnecting the head light . unless your running over 2K your alternator is not charging your battery much if at all.
your head light is drawing a few amps
head light low 3.333 amp high 4.166 amp


For all XJ-series models, the maximum available charging output VOLTAGE should be as follows (all values are approximate):

* approximately 500-2000 rpms: 1.8 volts gradually increasing to 14.2 volts
* 2000+ rpms: 14.2 volts up to about 14.8 volts, with a maximum of 14.8 volts (all models except XJ700-X and XJ750-X)
* 3000+ rpms: 14.2 volts up to about 14.8 volts, with a maximum of 14.8 volts (all XJ700-X and XJ750-X)

 

What shop? I have a cabin on Deer Lake, just north of Tomahawk. Great prime rib at Ed Bessie's!

 

This shop:
http://www.theshopmilwaukee.com/
They are a good resource for shims and tire changes, they understand classic motorcycles and their appeal.

No surprise about the prime rib, there are an awful lot of small-scale, pasture raised beef operations around here. But if your on a lake my preference if fresh crappie fillets!