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Login to post Forums » Sprockets » choke me

May 26, 2009 4:19 p.m. benzbaron Reader

I was curious if one of you folks could explain how to use the choke properly. My little buell has an automatic choke so I never learned the proper way to use the choke. My Mom needed my truck and let me ride her sportster, but I'm not sure the proper way to use the choke. I know you open it up to get the bike started, but my mom says to ride around some, then put it halfway in and once the bike is warmed put it all the way in. I still ride the bike but would like to know if the choke is just for starting or also helps the bike warm up. I know if you try to start without the choke the bike won't start because it isn't getting enough gas.

Any insights would be appreciated.
May 26, 2009 6:31 p.m. alex HalfDork

You're not 'opening' the choke, in fact, you're closing a butterfly (usually on the opposite side of the carb from the throttle butterfly) that restricts the volume of intake air, thereby enriching the mixture. As the engine warms, you lean the mixture to normal running condition by opening the choke and allowing more air into the mixture.
May 26, 2009 6:43 p.m. benzbaron Reader

I'm just curious of the best operation of the choke, should I adjust it as the bike warms or just leave it out and then put it in once the bike is warm? By out I mean pull the knob.
May 26, 2009 6:56 p.m. jwdmotorsports HalfDork

I just play it by ear. You'll learn pretty quickly by trial and error.
May 26, 2009 8:24 p.m. Grtechguy UltraDork

play by ear....

my kaw needs the choke when the weather is in the 30's and below....even then it's only for about 2 minutes. you can hear the engine change.
May 27, 2009 12:04 a.m. skierd Dork

I love having fuel injection.
May 27, 2009 5:47 a.m. 914Driver Dork

Wait, your Mom rides a Sportster?

Some UJMs have not a choke, but an enrichener. It doesn't close off the air going into the carb but gies it a jolt of more gas.

Dan
May 27, 2009 8:08 a.m. CrackMonkey HalfDork

How long I leave the choke on depends on the outside temperature.

In the summer, I use the choke to start the bike, then put my gear on, and by the time I'm backing out of the garage, I can turn the choke off.

Spring and Fall, I leave the choke on until I'm out of the neighborhood (1 mile or so), otherwise the engine sputters and pops.

In the dead of winter (<45* or so), the choke is on for at least a mile, usually more like 2 miles. The CV carb and Evo motor are pretty cold blooded. When it's really cold, it can take a few tries to get the motor started as well.

My neighbor has a fuel-injected 883 and it run SOOOO much better when cold it's not even funny. Really makes me want to cobble together a microsquirt system with a Buell throttle body.
May 27, 2009 8:16 a.m. 4g63t Reader

Don't even need a Buell throttle body (it'd be cheaper) you could use one from an 07 up Sportster.
May 27, 2009 8:29 a.m. Xceler8x Dork

..and she knows how to start it from cold.

If it's a kickstart sportster I'll bet she's really a man.
May 27, 2009 11:43 a.m. Mental UberDork

CHOKE YOURSELF!

I have nothing to ad, it's been covered prtty well. I stick with the let the bike run with the choke as i gear up meathod, and on he rarest of occasions, it stays on until I get to the end of my neighborhood. I just wanted to post that picture.
May 28, 2009 8:59 p.m. Rusnak_322 New Reader

CrackMonkey wrote:

My neighbor has a fuel-injected 883 and it run SOOOO much better when cold it's not even funny. Really makes me want to cobble together a microsquirt system with a Buell throttle body.

What you really need is a water cooled motor!
May 29, 2009 8:49 a.m. CrackMonkey HalfDork

Rusnak_322 wrote: What you really need is a water cooled motor!

Meh, just more stuff to go wrong. I like the nearly complete lack of required maintenance on a H-D. No valves, no chain, etc. Just add gas and go.
May 29, 2009 1:07 p.m. Grtechguy UltraDork

CrackMonkey wrote:

Meh, just more stuff to go wrong. I like the nearly complete lack of required maintenance on a H-D. No valves, no chain, etc. Just add gas and go.

H-Ds have no valves? i didn't think they were 2-cycles
May 29, 2009 1:13 p.m. Rusnak_322 New Reader
he's talking about the hydraulic lifters that don't require regular maintenance, but it is a false economy. When you add up the cost to replace all the parts that fall off and all the oil that drips out, it is cheaper the keep a ducati running.
- just messin' with ya, I like HD just fine.
June 1, 2009 8:41 a.m. CrackMonkey HalfDork

Grtechguy wrote: H-Ds have no valves? i didn't think they were 2-cycles

Hydraulic lifters = no valve adjustments. The only regular maintenance is fluid changes. Belts last a long time, if you stay on pavement. Brakes and tires wear well too.

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