muffinman Posted February 7, 2009 #1 Posted February 7, 2009 It was 14 degrees F this morning and I had to get an electric heater out and heat the engine up on the SS bike to get it started.Does anyone know of a block heater that can be used on a bike? I am hoping that I can get one to fit the oil pan on the Venture with the cooling fins intact. Jeff
ToRide1 Posted February 7, 2009 #3 Posted February 7, 2009 I just barely got my venture started on new years day for our local Polar Bear ride, it was 23F that morn and I'm using Shell Oil 5W-40 Syn. What's needed is 10W-30 or 5w-30 Syn.
flb_78 Posted February 7, 2009 #4 Posted February 7, 2009 I can't think of anything that'll work on a motorcycle except some sort of forced air induction over the engine itself. I was thinking that an electric dipstick could work through the oil fill port, but it looks like there's only 1 out there and it's 20 inches long. http://www.google.com/products?q=oil+heater+dipstick&btnG=Search+Products&hl=en&show=dd
cecdoo Posted February 7, 2009 #6 Posted February 7, 2009 Wonder if a heat lamp would work, or one of those little cube heaters? just thinking out loud. Craig
painterman67 Posted February 7, 2009 #7 Posted February 7, 2009 I used to have a 95 mustang gt. it was equipped withan exterior oilheater/ciculator for cold weather. maybe something like that would would. Think that part was a roushe add on. david
MidlifeVenture Posted February 7, 2009 #8 Posted February 7, 2009 Just make sure the whole thing is heated or you will have condensation problems.
Yammer Dan Posted February 7, 2009 #9 Posted February 7, 2009 A 100 watt light bulb on it and it will start. A plain old light bulb not the new curly things. Put it on bottom of pan or between the cylinders. Just be careful not touch anything it can burn.
ToRide1 Posted February 7, 2009 #10 Posted February 7, 2009 They do make magnetic oil pan & block heaters and if you used bungee cords to hold it in contact with oil pan it would work.
BuddyRich Posted February 7, 2009 #11 Posted February 7, 2009 A 100 watt light bulb on it and it will start. A plain old light bulb not the new curly things. Put it on bottom of pan or between the cylinders. Just be careful not touch anything it can burn. That's what I wrote at first. Thought maybe the bike sat outside. But maybe cover it with a balnket too.
friesman Posted February 7, 2009 #12 Posted February 7, 2009 usually when something wont start in cold weather its because your cold battery only has a small percentage of its available change compared towhen its 70f. So why not go to wally world and buy a battery blanket you just wrap it around your battery or your engine and keep it warm. they have a low current draw and theyre faily cheap http://www.jeepworld.com/accessories/wrangler/battery.htm Brian
mraf Posted February 7, 2009 #13 Posted February 7, 2009 When its below freezing take a old carpet put it over the bike, clean a few hot coals out of the woodstove throw them on a 55gal barrel lid and put a few pieces of firewood on the coals. Keep the flame just on the bottom of the oil pan for about 1 hr. Crank it up and your good to go. Works great on the 2020 John Deere!:rotfl: Cheaper than a block heater.
muffinman Posted February 7, 2009 Author #14 Posted February 7, 2009 You were riding at 14 degrees? Yup got to get to work 32 miles one way.The only thing that got cold was the steel toe boots and the recently damaged finger. Jeff
muffinman Posted February 7, 2009 Author #15 Posted February 7, 2009 I guess that I should have told yall that the bike stays outside and I was at the Rv so no lightbulb trick,Had the scoot covered with a good quality cover. And the reason it did not want to start was the thick oil. I do not recomend synthetic oil in the older bikes due to the seals not being compatible. I dont think I will try the carpet with a small flame either sont want no melted plastic to fix. Jeff
Guest HdHtr Posted February 7, 2009 #16 Posted February 7, 2009 How did you hurt your finger??? http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Motorcycle.htm
vtwinr Posted February 7, 2009 #17 Posted February 7, 2009 Second hit on a Google search: http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Motorcycle.htm Don't personally know anything about these products though.
run n bare Posted February 7, 2009 #18 Posted February 7, 2009 drain the oil out at night when yea gits home and its warm.. in the moring heat on the stove and put in the scoot .
MidlifeVenture Posted February 7, 2009 #19 Posted February 7, 2009 My wife thinks I would sleep with my bike. So maybe body heat and a blanket.:rotf:
Rocket Posted February 7, 2009 #20 Posted February 7, 2009 Does anyone know of a block heater that can be used on a bike? Jeff I have seen the circulating inline hose type, sized small enough to be fitted into ATVs & possibly heater core hoses. Maybe one of those for the scoot, if there is one with the correct hose size, for between the rear engine head & the rad......... :snow:
DragonRider Posted February 7, 2009 #21 Posted February 7, 2009 Just bungee an electric heating pad to the oil pan and leave it on overnight.........that should do the trick..........its cheaper:mo money: if you have one of them already..............
muffinman Posted February 8, 2009 Author #23 Posted February 8, 2009 Well I found the per heater that I want and am going to order it this week.Has anyone ever used one of these on any vehicle? http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000206196/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000206196/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000206196 http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/I_540036_SW_1.jpg Jeff
Dano Posted February 8, 2009 #25 Posted February 8, 2009 Had one on a 383 back in the late 70's, that old cuss wouldn't start without it. Great for keeping the block warm, not sure if the oil sitting in the pan so low will be warm tho. That's my only thought. Good luck, Jeff. Let us know how it works. Dan
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