Update and renewal of faith!

The bike started last night for the first time in about two weeks. Whined like hell and right about when it started to get warm and the whining started to fade, it cut out on me. I did two things different. 1. Sat a kerosene heater next to the bike for about ten minutes and then I put the bike on the ground instead of the center stand thinking I might have an issue with the center stand cutoff even though it was in neutral. After it was started I put down the side and center stand so thats not an issue. Was close to restarting but I think my battery was drained so thats on a charger. Plugs were black and sooty which according to my Clymer manual means either too rich mixture or weak ignition system. Was thinking fuel issue before, now Im thinking an electrical issue.
Thoughts?

 

What temperature is it where you are trying to get it started? I only mention it as it was almost 50F this morning and mine started. However, in two more days when it is around 30F it won't be quite so kind to me again. Also, I need to change my oil from 20w50 to 10w40 so that I'm not trying to turn sludge over with the engine each cold morning.

My brass monkey comes in everynight, but I can't get the bike up the stairs and through the 14" doorway. sigh.

er, and what are you starting? Year/Model/size

 

81 Seca 550. been having a number of problems lately. it was also about 50 degrees or so last night and getting close to 60 today but dropping back down quickly so it might have been a fluke. im in philadelphia suburbs. no heat in garage except kerosene heater.

 

That's great, keep at it.

BTW... What's a center stand cutoff?

 

the switch that when you put the stand down with the bike in gear it kills the engine. i know my side stand has one and im pretty sure there is one on the center stand too.

 

i just remembered that there is only a cutoff switch for the sidestand and not the center stand because i have put the bike in first on the centerstand before.

 

none on my center stand...