Riding an air cooled motorcycle in cold weather

[RacinCC85]

Hey all!  I was just told about this forum by a random person I bumped into a few weeks ago and have spent the past few weeks lurking and reading but decided to join today.

My question is this: is it bad to ride an air cooled motorcycle in cold weather (say around 30 degrees F)?  I own an 1984 honda CB700SC and despite the cold weather here in the chicago suburbs today I couldn't resist the urge to take my bike out.  Could riding the bike in cold weather like this cause any damage/excessive wear?  I rode it maybe 7 miles or so.  After I got back I thought about the cold air causing the cylinders to be overcooled preventing them from expanding and thus wearing the rings out quicker. Can this happen?  I hope this is just me being paranoid but I'm new to the world of air cooled engines so I thought I'd ask. Hopefully I didn't mess up my bike! Thanks!

[Mookie]

Did it not ever get up to temperature?  I'd be surprised if it didn't (and 30 isn't all that cold) If you've got an oil cooler, a good thing to do when it's extra cold out is to make a little cover to block the airflow to the cooler.  That'll help it get up to temperature a bit quicker.  I made one using a bit of cardboard and some aluminum tape and zip tied it on there.

As long as it's getting up to operating temps it really shouldn't matter much.

[spd2918]

No worries.  It will run better then when it's really hot out.

[MK96xj]

If you bring it up to operating temps and ride it into a snow bank to cool you might have an issue otherwise just ride away.

[RacinCC85]

Thanks for the advice guys!  I do like the idea of covering the oil cooler so I'm definitely going to do that. With the way gas prices are, I'm not putting this thing away until it snows now!

[denydog]

The oil temperature gauge on my old bike, an air cooled I4 comes up to about 200 degrees in about 15-20 minutes.  When the air temp is less than 40 degrees, it takes maybe 5 minutes longer and runs about 10 degrees cooler.  No problems.

[Mookie]

oooo kaaaaay  

I bet you've got a strong enough grasp of basic thermodynamics to back that statement up.  Please inform this here dumbass.

[Walker]

The only problem I ever had with an air cooled bike in very cold weather was carb icing.  I wouldn't worry about it, except maybe changing to a lower viscosity oil during the cold months.

[Fudge]

It shouldn't be much of an issue.  I've ridden the FJ in 30 degrees and the fins still get nice and hot.  Just warm the bike up before you ride it.

[MadMax96]

I had a buddy who owned a '79 CB750F and lived in Chicago - didn't have a car.  That meant either he rode out to the burbs for work or cabbed it...  needless to say unless there was ice on ground, the bike got ridden.  

I'd say you're in good shape if you let it warm up a little more than usual before you romp on it... assuming it'll fire up for ya.  

[RacinCC85]

oooo kaaaaay  

I bet you've got a strong enough grasp of basic thermodynamics to back that statement up.  Please inform this here dumbass.

Is this how you treat everyone who is new to riding air cooled bikes who has a simple question?  If so I feel sorry for you.  I had heard rumors of that happening before so I did what any logical person would do: get an answer from people experienced with motorcycles.

Thanks to everyone else for the helpful advice.  I picked up my new clutch today so hopefully I can get that thrown in today and go for a nice ride tomorrow.  They are talking of temps in the 40's and sunny, about as good as a late November day can get for riding!

[Mookie]

Nah., that wasn't directed at you, and I did actually give you some good advice (if you remember way back to the 1st reply you got.  ).  Somebody had posted I was a dumbass for recommending you cover the oil cooler but that post is now gone, wish I'd quoted it.  Where the hell did that go anyways?  

[info]

I'd go with a lighter weight oil as well in winter.

[photomd]

I rode an old KZ 750 twin for about 9 years in the 90's. I would ride to class as long as there wasn't ice. I worried about the same problem and found a meat thermometer that would read the oil through the fill hole. In the 30's my oil temp would hit 210-215 after riding home. If you have a dipstick or have a straight shot into the oil from the fill hole, would that work for you? That might take the guess work outta it.

[atypical1]

Did it not ever get up to temperature?  I'd be surprised if it didn't (and 30 isn't all that cold) If you've got an oil cooler, a good thing to do when it's extra cold out is to make a little cover to block the airflow to the cooler.  That'll help it get up to temperature a bit quicker.  I made one using a bit of cardboard and some aluminum tape and zip tied it on there.

As long as it's getting up to operating temps it really shouldn't matter much.

+1 on the oil cooler cover. My bike runs like crap in the cold. The good folks at the multistrada forum let me onto that little trick.

[Headmanbrewing]

If you use a cover for the oil cooler, don't forget to take it off if it gets warmer out.  

[RacinCC85]

Nah., that wasn't directed at you, and I did actually give you some good advice (if you remember way back to the 1st reply you got.  ).  Somebody had posted I was a dumbass for recommending you cover the oil cooler but that post is now gone, wish I'd quoted it.  Where the hell did that go anyways?  

whoops, sorry about that    That's what happens when I post first thing after I wake up lol.  Sorry for the misunderstanding and thanks for the advice.  I never saw the post where the person said you were a dumbass for recommending covering the oil cooler so that's where the confusion w/your post began.  Hopefully there are no hard feelings!  

I like the idea of the meat thermometer as well.  I'll see what my oil temp is after a 30 minute ride tomorrow.

[Boxerdawg]

Outside air temp doesn't make much difference in cooling the engine once it gets up to temp.  Heat transfer rates will be about the same for air @30°F or @90°F.  It is the temp at STARTUP that can be critical in terms of performance.  At very low temps the oil is thicker and doesn't flow as well until it gets up to a satisfactory temp.  The colder it is the longer it will take.  Running the engine too hard immediately after startup could result in excess wear because the thicker oil isn't flowing to important surfaces.  Several posters have already suggested a lighter grade oil for this reason.
I'm skeptical that covering the oil-cooler is better than not.  I would be really surprised if the oil did not get hot enough in cold temps.

[Bueller]

You'd have more problems with the water-cooled motors in cold weather.  They need coolant oils and anti-freeze.

Old Volkswagens have been running around in German winters for well over 1/2 a century.

Engine oils aren't much of an issue now because the multigrades keep a pretty flat viscosity curve across a wide temp range.  If you have a bike that runs a separate gearbox oil then changing to a lighter oil in winter probably helps.

[Canuck]

I ride a 72 Triumph Bonneville, along with my more modern bikes, and have never had a problem riding it in temps around freezing. Of course, when it gets that cold here it's only a couple of weeks before snow and ice and no more riding until spring. The Bonnie's engine is apart right now for rings and valves (happens a lot with old Triumphs), so I didn't ride it this fall.

Also, think of all those people who drove those air-cooled VW beetles year-round up here in Canada years ago. It is important to switch to a lower weight oil if you are going to do this on a regular basis. Your manual should give you info on that. Also change the oil at more frequent intervals.