Frozen Bowden

[webmost]

 Once again a Volar Portex has us by the short and curlies here. 26 blustery degrees this morning when I hit the road to yoga class. Took Biffy the KLR, cause Sopowa the Indian Scout is miserably reluctant to start cold (despite being manufactured by a snowmobile company), while Biffy boasts a battery as big as any bike twice its size, as well as an automagic compression release. She starts in a snap in single digits. By end of day, forecast is for 11 degrees.

By the time I emerged, temps had already dived to 23. Engine started right up, no prob. But the clutch bowden cable, that's where Biffy's problem lies. Gets too cold, the damn thing freezes in its sheath. I dunno whether there's moisture in there that turns to ice, or whether the sheath shrinks faster than the cable, pinching it up, or some other idea I haven't plumbed. Good thing I left Biffy out of gear, is all I know. Cause my only known solution is to start her up and let her fast idle until engine heat thaws the cable loose. The fact it does thaw loose indicates the stuck part is apt to be toward the nether end. I do carry a spare clutch cable ready routed beside the one in use; but still, I don't fancy snapping the end off the active cable by forcing the lever too hard. Yes, I have in the past tried lubing the cable to no effect. Yes, the fact Biffy is a KLR means the nether end of that cable might get dipped in a crick on rare occasion, introducing damp inside the sheath which might never have an opportunity to seep out.

So here's my questions:

1) How's the Jackal apt to start in single digits?

2) Anyone had similar bowden cable stickage?

3) Found a way to prevent it?

[oldbike54]

 The Jackal should start fine with a bit of throttle if the battery is good .
 Try pulling the cable and hanging it vertically in a nice warm place .

 Dusty
 

[Aaron D.]

17 degrees this evening and the local scooter boys on the sub-50 bikes are out and about.

[Kev m]

I feel like I gave good advice in this thread regarding the Jackal's ability to cool, weight of oil, and watching for emulsification?

[ITSec]

When I think of 'Frozen Bowden', I remember of two towns of that name in western Canada - a small one in Alberta, and a really tiny hamlet in Manitoba. Both qualify for the description, and in another month will really be frozen! 

[Triple Jim]

I'd guess that you do have some amount of water in the cable.  Decades ago when I lived in Bethesda, MD, I went out to my '74 Vega to go to work.  It was about 10F outside, and I hadn't changed the 20W-50 oil from the previous summer.  When I hit the starter, the engine didn't turn anywhere fast enough to start.  So, wanting to get to work, I went in the house and got a bucket of room temperature water and poured it down the side of the block.  Then I got a bucket of lukewarm water and did the same.  Last, I got a bucket of hot water and did it again.  The engine started right up and I drove to work.

The next day it wasn't as cold out, so the car started fine, and I idled down my street to the stop sign.  I turned left and tried to give it some gas, but the throttle cable was completely frozen.  Obviously I had gotten some water in the cable.  Bemused, I used my hands to warm it up enough to get it free, but I'll always remember that chain of events.   

[Huzo]

Bloody hell, I never realised how fortunate I am out here ! That's pretty hard core, never heard of that sort of stuff, been to Nordkapp and John O' Groats but nothing like that, it was a balmy (barmy ?) 4 deg C for me, I didn't even know that COULD happen...Well done !

[blackcat]

"I went out to my '74 Vega to go to work."

I haven't heard anyone say that in some time.

[webmost]

I'd guess that you do have some amount of water in the cable.  Decades ago when I lived in Bethesda, MD, I went out to my '74 Vega to go to work.  It was about 10F outside, and I hadn't changed the 20W-50 oil from the previous summer.  When I hit the starter, the engine didn't turn anywhere fast enough to start.  So, wanting to get to work, I went in the house and got a bucket of room temperature water and poured it down the side of the block.  Then I got a bucket of lukewarm water and did the same.  Last, I got a bucket of hot water and did it again.  The engine started right up and I drove to work.

The next day it wasn't as cold out, so the car started fine, and I idled down my street to the stop sign.  I turned left and tried to give it some gas, but the throttle cable was completely frozen.  Obviously I had gotten some water in the cable.  Bemused, I used my hands to warm it up enough to get it free, but I'll always remember that chain of events.   

There ya go! A fellow soul!

[JJ]

Frozen!?!  (Yes....frozen!!)  - LOL - A few "FROZEN" images from my business trip last week to Montreal-Potsdam.  Temperatures ranged from -5 degrees F and below!!  Quite and adventure!!














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[oldbike54]

 JJ , you're doing the Southern AZ/Upstate NY thing bassackwards 

 Dusty

[JJ]

JJ , you're doing the Southern AZ/Upstate NY thing bassackwards 

 Dusty

Yes,  but fortunately, this was my LAST business trip for 2016 - - so I am DONE traveling like a Big Dog until after Jan. 1st!! 

I will post some SUNNY northern Arizona photos this weekend to cheer everyone up!!

[Triple Jim]

"I went out to my '74 Vega to go to work."

I haven't heard anyone say that in some time.

I may be able to say it again someday, since I still have the car.

[trippah]

I misread it as Veglia..my bad; I thought Vega's rusted out within 3 years.  You must have a car wash converted to oiler in your garage.  Loved your story. You did awesome.

[JJ]

I misread it as Veglia..my bad; I thought Vega's rusted out within 3 years.  You must have a car wash converted to oiler in your garage.  Loved your story. You did awesome.

I always liked the COSWORTH Vega from 1976!!  :1:

[Triple Jim]

Cosworths were indeed great.

[ITSec]

I misread it as Veglia..my bad; I thought Vega's rusted out within 3 years.  You must have a car wash converted to oiler in your garage.  Loved your story. You did awesome.

The Vega was once described, I believe, as a car that after a few years you could pass a piece of rebar through diagonally...

[Calculon]

Temperatures ranged from -5 degrees F and below!

As long as it's not windy, you're fine.  The thermometer in my car on my way home from work today about 11PM hit -20°F and it looks like it'll be that way for a few days, but less than a month ago, on the 19th, I took the Nevada to work.

[Tom]

Too bad Chevy did't nickisil the stock Vega engine cylinder walls.

[Tom]

I'd guess that you do have some amount of water in the cable.  Decades ago when I lived in Bethesda, MD, I went out to my '74 Vega to go to work.  It was about 10F outside, and I hadn't changed the 20W-50 oil from the previous summer.  When I hit the starter, the engine didn't turn anywhere fast enough to start.  So, wanting to get to work, I went in the house and got a bucket of room temperature water and poured it down the side of the block.  Then I got a bucket of lukewarm water and did the same.  Last, I got a bucket of hot water and did it again.  The engine started right up and I drove to work.

I used a hot plate.  Almost used a Coleman stove but thought the open flames might be a problem.   Drove to Pottsville to get a muliti-wt. Oil and changed out the straight wt.  Waited too long. 

[Triple Jim]

Thinking back on it, I think it was actually about -10F at the time, not +10.  The 20W-50 was probably gelled.  The DC area doesn't often get below zero, but it does once in a while.

[redrider90]

I may be able to say it again someday, since I still have the car.

Does it still run and or otherwise drivable?

[Triple Jim]

Not at the moment, but it's fixable with some effort.