Brass monkeys

Due a ridiculous senior moment I've been without a car for the last two weeks so my Norton has had to do a bit of emergency winter service.
Been a long time since I braved winter riding (can't say I'm really enjoying the experience) but it's thrown up couple of interesting things.

Temperatures here have dropped down sub zero, the lowest was probably about -4C (25F), OK we're not talking Canadian winters but there aren't many bikes of any kind on the roads round here at these temperatures.

Interesting observation #1 With Mk2 carbs and chromed brass slides the slides will completely lock up at -4C, took 15 minutes with a hot air gun get things moving again, ran OK after that if we ignore the painful warm up time.

Interesting observation #2 The well known XS650 breather valve just doesn't work in low temperatures. I pulled mine out twice over the last two week and both times found it filled with creamy sludge. Blowing down it took a bit of puff to get it to open. I've taken it out and run the line straight to tank. It'll get refitted in the spring.

Rich

I had the same issue with the PCV, condensation from the crankcases collects down stream (but above) the valve and runs back down into it and forms the cream. I'm going to route the pipe down towards the back of the bike, ie. not up over the rear mudguard, still via the PCV. I don't want the moisture in the oil tank.
The carb problem may improve with a better (larger) air filter. I also had this with a single Mk2 The increased airflow through a single carb drops the pressure more and hence the temperature, freezing any moisture in the air. The air is pretty well saturated at the moment. The main issue for me is the amount of salt on the roads. That's UK biking for you, heated grips, handlebar muffs are the way ahead. Not many Nortoneers on the roads in this part of the northern hemisphere at the moment.

I was driving back from a delivery in the mercades pick up, it was about minus 5 , I thought how sweet and smooth the engine sounded, Normaly in mid sumer it sounds a bit rattley..but get that sub-zero wind blast and the oil stays nice and thick..filling up all the gaps and refusing to be sqeezed out.
Going to get some oil cooling on the MK 3 this year..i love that thick oil!
Any one got a 50ltr oil tank :?: with built in matrex and twin thermostaic fans :lol:

Gsoh just like in ;Golden Era' banksters stole so much of the economy few could afford cars. Hand foot oxidizer heat pads are nice and can store packed in small tight jars to re use if rides are short enough. Cool air teaches a lot about tucking in streamlining every little part.

I had an old Ford that would freeze the carb on cold and damp mornings. Its an odd deal.

Poor Dears. Did oo get a bit of snow then?

Stillreel said:

Poor Dears. Did oo get a bit of snow then?

Click to expand...

We know when Toronto gets snow, they call the army out to shovel it :lol: :lol:

sorry couldn't resist :mrgreen:

My Duc would ice the carbs pretty bad in those conditions...

Over here in Blighty we get two inchs of snow and its main news panic stations, and head lines if the temp drops to Minus -8 .Russia have 6 feet os snow and minus 47 , We are so mamby in the UK!

Yeah!
Didn't ride mine today & it was a wopping 2deg.
-6 tonight.