strange start

[pdedse]

So weird, just over a year later, and the exact same thing as described below happened just now, with nearly exact conditions--bike wasn't run for a week, temps in the low 40s. Except this time, I can't get it to start after waiting a couple of hours. Cranks fine, just don't turn over.

My '17 just sat a week without riding it for maybe the first time since I bought it in Feb of this year ('18). Temps have been low '40s to 50 degrees. I was missing the sound of it after getting home from work and tried to start it...seemed to "crank" or "spin" strong, but just wouldn't fire up. Tried about 5-6 times, nearly started a few times, but nope. Tried starting with throttle wide open...would not start. Waited 5 minutes. Tried again, same thing first time, no start. Tried another time with throttle 1/4 open and it fired right up. Started 5 more times after that just fine. Three hours later, starts right up every time.

Has at least half a tank of gas. Did the fuel settle somewhere and it was starved?

Till now, it's always started cold/warm engine with no help from throttle.

My normal startup is to not touch the throttle and I don't have any issues.

Reread my post from a year ago and tried starting with throttle 1/4 open and it sputtered then started right up. Let it warm up for a minute or two and then went for five mile ride, and now it starts right up again, several times in a row as if nothing.

Now that I think about it, 2 days ago, I started it up just for a few seconds to hear it run as it rained and snowed outside. That's not a habit of mine, but maybe there's something about it sitting for while, then running ever so briefly, and then troubles next start-up.

Prolly nothing to worry about, as I've literally never had any startup problems whatsoever except these two instances--sitting for more than a week and cool temps are what they have in common.

[SportsterDoc]

If I am going to park a vehicle for a few days, I try to do so on a full tank, especially if a steel tank.

Condensation from 1/2 fuel, 1/2 air can be cumulative, ending up with water at the bottom of the tank. * Also, more condensate in colder weather.

Not saying this is the reason for the no starts in this thread, but may have some affect, perhaps in addition to ethanol % fuel.

* Staying in a travel trailer at our AZ ranch, in the summer, when above 40F overnight (5400' elevation), there is no condensation issue, even if heater is used, Spring and Autumn.

However, in the winter, when interior heated to 60F and outside below 32F, I can soak a towel with each window...often twice in the evening and once in the morning. When it gets about 20 F and lower, that condensation freezes on the inside of windows.

[GoldOxide_imp]

CB1100: Start with no extra throttle in air temperatures from -25C to +42C, humidity, rain, fog, snow, ... the beast never failed to start. The only condition I never tried was very [hot] dry, unless during the bowels of winter counts - then yes, the beast starts. Keep in mind, the beast was stored outside with no heat or dryness during the cold seasons.

One other factor I reckon: I am near the altitude (above sea level) of Lake Ontario.

[pdedse]

If I am going to park a vehicle for a few days, I try to do so on a full tank, especially if a steel tank.

Condensation from 1/2 fuel, 1/2 air can be cumulative, ending up with water at the bottom of the tank. * Also, more condensate in colder weather.

Not saying this is the reason for the no starts in this thread, but may have some affect, perhaps in addition to ethanol % fuel.

* Staying in a travel trailer at our AZ ranch, in the summer, when above 40F overnight (5400' elevation), there is no condensation issue, even if heater is used, Spring and Autumn.

However, in the winter, when interior heated to 60F and outside below 32F, I can soak a towel with each window...often twice in the evening and once in the morning. When it gets about 20 F and lower, that condensation freezes on the inside of windows.

I try to keep tank full after rides as a rule, but this time it was 3/4 full. I'll probably be letting it sit another week as we're to have continued yukky weather for some time. I don't like to commute on the CB when it's going to sit in the rain all day.

[Houtman_imp]

In the winter I always top my tank up at home after a ride , it is so easy having 4 or 5 gallons at hand in the garage. After I fill my portable gas container at the pump I put Stabil in as I do not know when this gas will be used.

[Obleo]

Bad gas is a problem, I always use both stabil and seafoam in all my bikes and small engine machines. I also try to use non- ethanol in any motors that may sit for awhile.

[peterbaron]

For seasonal equipment, I use engineered fuel, for bike and cars, from gas station.
CB gets winter fuel treatment (5 mts storage), and tank has as much gas as during my last ride = never full.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Myself I don't recall having bad gas in the 21st century - yet. (stored 12 months or less)

[Houtman_imp]

I personally have had bad gas but so far my bikes never had any....

[Obleo]

Bad gas is not necessarily from the gas station, but from ethanol blended fuel the alcohol is like a sponge in that draws in water vapor. Lots of write ups about the ill affects of ethanol on tanks, seals gaskets etc.