homespun block warmer

[Mythos]

I know most will say improvised equipment is almost never safe but i just thought I'd run this by you guys.

Since the temps have dropped into the 20s-30s, my 08 sometimes dies out on the first start. Second, she runs slow for a few seconds and then perks up. The busa runs fine in the cold after engine rises to operating temp but it does not seem to like cold starts. I am thinking about placing an electric heating pad under the bike and covering it to have it prewarmed for cold weather start ups. Sound any more dangerous than a real block warmer? Opinions?

 

[JGGUNS]

Just park it in you Living Room...Problem Solved.

 

[Sous]

A lot of the consumer use heating blankets have timers on them, so you may need to bypass that or get one without a timer. Other than that, there is no real danger as long as you are not trying to splice into the bike harness or something crazy.

 

[Mythos]

Thanks. Couldn't see any real problem, myself. As long as there is no spark, I don't see that it is a gasoline explosion hazard. I haven't owned one in years but they used to make plastic heating pads that were about 8.5" x 11" size. Was thinking about that. Hope they still make them without timers because I don't want to screw around with bypassing anything.

Thanks.

 

[RussellJ]

Just park it in you Living Room...Problem Solved.

I would definitely do that if i could

 

[cycleman]

Just use a light bulb to keep it warm.

 

[Mythos]

^^Good idea. Thanks cycleman! clamp lamp will work fine.

 

[heavybusa]

Bring it up and park it in my living room.

What weight oil and what mix antifreeze are you using OP?

 

[Mythos]

10W-40 is all that has ever been in it. Have thought about trying a lighter weight oil. Any suggestions?

Antifreeze is whatever they put in there when I bought the bike last Fall. It floated all balls in a test I did last winter.

 

[Commuta_Busa]

I use one of these to preheat the oil. takes about 1hr. The problem is that since it's on the outside it has to warm up the pan first.

 

[Mythos]

Thanks, CB. That was exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about.

 

[heavybusa]

10W-40 is all that has ever been in it. Have thought about trying a lighter weight oil. Any suggestions?

Antifreeze is whatever they put in there when I bought the bike last Fall. It floated all balls in a test I did last winter.

Is it synthetic? Not trying to be a sales man but I run Amsoil and they boast a low temp pour point Pour Point (-46°C (-51°F)) for their synthetic 10w40 and offer a 0w40 and a 5w40.

 

[Commuta_Busa]

give the surface a nice semi-rough finish so the pad sticks and put a silicon bead around the edge to prevent water and debris.

Thanks, CB. That was exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about.

 

[Mythos]

Is it synthetic? Not trying to be a sales man but I run Amsoil and they boast a low temp pour point Pour Point (-46°C (-51°F)) for their synthetic 10w40 and offer a 0w40 and a 5w40.

Not going to let one drop of synthetic in the busa until it has at least 5K miles on it. No oil loss at all so far at 2000. All conventional oil. I have a friend who did a thorough investigation of synthetic and he explained that the waxes in the oil are changed molecularly so that they do not solidify at low temp. That is how the proper viscosity is maintained for easy cold starts. Some day I will use synrthetic in the busa but I'm apprehensive about getting on that too fast.

 

[heavybusa]

Fair and educated decision.

 

[mr8ball]

I use the Amsoil in my 08 and have started it when it was 35 out side with no issues yet