Engine Heater

[sam salk]

I have a 1980 CB 750C that has trouble starting when it is below approximately 34 degrees.  Does anyone know of a good engine heater system that works? I know there are some that plug into an outlet and heat the engine up.  Anyone?

Thanks,
Sam

[sgtslag]

No experience with engine heaters, but I'd recommend you install synthetic oil.  It stays pour-able down to like -34 F.  If your bike still won't turn over after that, then it is not the oil which is making it stiff.

Rotella T Synthetic (diesel, read on) is very affordable, at Wal-Mart, for around $20/gallon.  No friction modifiers to make your clutch slip; diesel oils contain much higher detergent levels than automotive oils, so they scrub your engine better; it's rated SM, for auto's, so it meets/exceeds Honda's requirements for quality; it has almost no VII package to be chewed up in your transmission, so it will retain its multi-viscosity longer than automotive multi-viscosity oils, giving you much better protection; and you can run it longer, if you like, at least 5,000 miles, without risk -- longer if you have the oil analyzed (for extended drains, you must have the Total Base Number test performed, as well as a regular analysis).

You could try a magnetic heater, which temporarily attaches to the oil pan.  The problem with a heater, though, is that you likely won't have it when you come out of work, so your oil will be cold, and stiff, again...  Cheers!