Chokes

The chokes were removed when I bought my MK3 many years ago. It's OK in the hot weather but a pain in the cool weather. Is there any reason NOT to put chokes back in? Anyone got the whole mess for sale?

Is there any reason NOT to put chokes back in?

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No other than they can get in the way but I keep them as in cold weather they stop the stalling you get until the bike is warm which takes 1/2 mile or so.

I fouund them useless on my worn out carbs, too rich to support life. But on my new Premiers they provide a real function.

I think you need chokes especially in a cold climate like here. So I take back any previous blatherings about not needing them. Reinstalled mine anout a week back as temps falling now and crazy started first kick ,full choke 1/8 throttle after ticklings. The lever looks great ,just remember the reverse raisings and lowerings. 3 C. this morning.

Torontonian said:

I think you need chokes especially in a cold climate like here. So I take back any previous blatherings about not needing them. Reinstalled mine anout a week back as temps falling now and crazy started first kick ,full choke 1/8 throttle after ticklings. The lever looks great ,just remember the reverse raisings and lowerings. 3 C. this morning.

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No hard frost yet here but about 1/34 usually more like 4-5 / 40-42.

I'd like to just let it run about 1500 and be able to glove up without blipping it. It also stumbles a bit from a stop so I'm probably going to find a set and put them on - probably for the spring.

Lots of choke assemblys were tossed into dumpsters over the years including attached toasted out carbs. Love the draw lever and how it looks on the bike. BTW my notes say the 2 choke cables are slightly longer than the Amal carb ones, so keep them separate from and compare lengths before awkward irritating frustrating assembly day.. Also my notes say to get off the Choke(s) as soon as possible or at least start using the sexy handlebar lever to gradually pull the slides up as the motor warms up. Reasoning is you are introducing a super-rich mixture to a cold engine to fascilitate startup. This is a critical time for wear to occur and all that fuel washes out residual oil film from last shutoff just at the time when you need oil to be present the most. So get off the choke A.S.A.P. Mikuni runners and levered choke carbs cannot gradually do this. :wink:

JimNH said:

weather. Is there any reason NOT to put chokes back in?

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There is one reason: if the choke cables break (happened to me recently) the chokes close and the bike will be unrideable until you take the carbs apart and either remove them (and plug the hole in the caps) or replace the cables.

Fortunately mine broke right in the driveway when I was warming the bike up, so I just rolled it back in the garage and replaced the cables. It's good to have spares on hand! Would be a PITA out on the road.

That said, I find them very useful in our cold Colorado climate.

Yeah - it's a silly design, the chokes fail to the full choke position. Makes no sense at all. I removed them years ago and have never missed them. After starting I just adjust the friction control to hold the throttle at around 1500 RPM. By the time I put my hemet/gloves on the bike will idle just fine. Admittedly, I don't ride in cold conditions; I'd estimate my coldest start for an actual ride is with ambient temps no lower than 50F.

Must be nice to ride-live in Mex, we plan 23 rd. trip this Feb. for Puerto and Zip. 1 month ,Oax. Oax. on way of course. Getting chilly now ,forming indoors to-do list.

I have a fresh engine and new premiers. It is a 850 Mk2, Jerry suggested #19 idle jets . Have #3 cutaway. It doesnt seem to
need the choke. Adding choke to keep it idling doesnt seem to work very well. Pulling away it doesnt want it either.
However, it is the worst bike Ive ever had to start. It just will not start. Once going it is 100%.
On my Royal Enfield Interceptor, I run #17 idle and 3 1/2 cutaway. You must use the choke for a few
minutes or it is unrideable. However, the engine is low of compression and needs an overhaul.
Before I die I hope to make the Norton start. It would be so nice...

I have a choke lever and its hooked up. Never have used it. It works but no need.
At least so far.

Darned Southeners. Brit. north design. :roll:

my 850 never had the chokes on it when I bought it. My 750 never liked the chokes being used. When it gets cold down here [ below 10 degrees C ] I find I need to jab a tickler once or twice to help keep engine going on the 850. never on the 750. BTW, I am already to go when my engine starts, so the warm up is quick and no worries about washing the oil off the bores. Must be shit living with the white stuff.
Dereck