Kirby Posted May 30, 2010 Share #1 Posted May 30, 2010 I'd like to know how many of you have to choke their bike anytime it cools off? It can be in the 90's outside and I still have to pull the choke for a short period before riding. No problem cranking, it just won't idle without the choke until it's warmed up a little. Suggestions????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOO Posted May 30, 2010 Share #2 Posted May 30, 2010 Mine does the same. After it sits for about half an hour I have to give it a little choke. BOO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Bob Posted May 30, 2010 Share #3 Posted May 30, 2010 Mine does the same. After it sits for about half an hour I have to give it a little choke. BOO Same here! Scooter Bob...who only misses one thing I about the 99 electra glide, the FI Couldn't resist Boomer... Later, Scooter Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kregerdoodle Posted May 30, 2010 Share #4 Posted May 30, 2010 Same here....cold blooded big time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted May 30, 2010 Man ,I thought that something on the carbs might have been needing a little tweeking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBeaver Posted May 30, 2010 Share #6 Posted May 30, 2010 (edited) Man ,I thought that something on the carbs might have been needing a little tweeking. I would say put a little seafoam in it - but since you are on an 09, that ought not be necessary... When it is 85+ I actually don't have to choke mine at all. I do give it 15-20 seconds or so before I take off, just to be sure. EDIT: I think an important tidbit of info here is how often the bike is run. I ride my bike every day. I use it to commute to work and back, I use it to get groceries, I use it for fun. So it is started a minimum of twice a day... Edited May 30, 2010 by LilBeaver Added info about frequency of use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted May 30, 2010 I would say put a little seafoam in it - but since you are on an 09, that ought not be necessary... When it is 85+ I actually don't have to choke mine at all. I do give it 15-20 seconds or so before I take off, just to be sure. Yea, I always crank it up, then put on my helmet and hook up my tunes(MP3 player) before trying to pull off, by then I can usually push the choke back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midnightventure Posted May 30, 2010 Share #8 Posted May 30, 2010 Most afternoons if the sun is shining I don't pull the choke out when I leave work. By the time I get my helmet on it is ready to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariner Fan Posted May 30, 2010 Share #9 Posted May 30, 2010 I have to use choke to start my bike too. I always figured it was my particular bike but now I know it's common. http://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/brood.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted May 30, 2010 Share #10 Posted May 30, 2010 Choke mine too ... let her fast idle for a minute or so and then push the choke in to about 1/4 and let it warm up some... leave it that way even after I take off at least until the temp has come up to about 1/2. If I don't, it will want to crap out under low rpm load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted May 30, 2010 Share #11 Posted May 30, 2010 Yep, me too. Let it sit for a couple of hours and it's choke time.... Good to know I'm not alone.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted May 30, 2010 Share #12 Posted May 30, 2010 When it is 85+ I actually don't have to choke mine at all.. IF it is warm out side rode in the past day, choke is not needed, if it sat for a few days it will need the choke no matter how warm it is. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdog1971 Posted May 30, 2010 Share #13 Posted May 30, 2010 warmer days, no choke either, let er idle for a couple of minutes and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidlifeVenture Posted May 30, 2010 Share #14 Posted May 30, 2010 Yep have always needed choke, on hot days it will start but has problems running if I don't pull it out a small amount. Glad to hear this is normal:thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted May 30, 2010 Share #15 Posted May 30, 2010 Almost never use the choke. Unless its down in to the 20's or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidD Posted May 30, 2010 Share #16 Posted May 30, 2010 When the bike was band new, I never used the choke unless it was in the 30s or 40s. Now after 29,000 miles I am finding I need to use the choke especially if it has sat for several days no matter what the temp However after the ride to work I can usually start home and not need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBeaver Posted May 30, 2010 Share #17 Posted May 30, 2010 IF it is warm out side rode in the past day, choke is not needed, if it sat for a few days it will need the choke no matter how warm it is. Brad Excellent point. I added frequency of use info to my original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share #18 Posted May 30, 2010 Ok, now that we find this is a common issue, does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can correct having to choke even after a short break, say 1-3 hours?? Maybe the carbs need just a little richer idle mixture ????? What about it V7Goose, Freebird , or others that are more familiar with this engine??? Keep in mind that this isn't in cool or cold weather we're talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share #19 Posted May 30, 2010 I've often wondered why Yamaha didn't put an automatic choke on this engine, but then again people use to have a lot of problems with that as well!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 30, 2010 Share #20 Posted May 30, 2010 I think that enriching the carbs just a bit would probably do the job. These bikes are set at the factory to run pretty lean. You could probably back out the air adjustment screws about 1/4 turn and that would do it. My question though is why would you want to? I don't see the problem with having to give them just a bit of choke when it is needed. It's usually a matter of a bit of choke and them almost immediately pushing it back in. Once you start tweaking the adjustment screws, it is almost guess work to know if they are set properly unless you have an exhaust gas analyzer. Though I do think that enriching the carbs on these bikes just a tad can have some positive effects, I really don't think it should be done blindly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon_One Posted May 30, 2010 Share #21 Posted May 30, 2010 I rarely need to use the choke on mine unless temps are way down, but then I have enriched the carbs by moving the pilots up to the next number. It seems to have better low end pick up when accelerating this way. Plugs look great too so I know it's not overly rich. I do sometimes pull it out a bit if it's sat any length of time till I'm ready to roll. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted May 30, 2010 Share #22 Posted May 30, 2010 Once you start tweaking the adjustment screws, it is almost guess work to know if they are set properly unless you have an exhaust gas analyzer. Though I do think that enriching the carbs on these bikes just a tad can have some positive effects, I really don't think it should be done blindly. Yah but the question is at the factory how are these set in the first place ?? Is each one tested or do they just screw them in and then out on each one. This being the case and if it is not done by a machine I doubt the accuracy of them to begin with ? Personally I am not fussy on just turning them out without a analyzer, to do it correctly you also have to drill a hole in the pipe before the "Y". Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uturn Posted May 31, 2010 Share #23 Posted May 31, 2010 .....Personally I am not fussy on just turning them out without a analyzer, to do it correctly you also have to drill a hole in the pipe before the "Y". Brad Aren't there already threaded holes in the pipes to screw the analyzer sensor into?? MIKE aka Uturn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOO Posted May 31, 2010 Share #24 Posted May 31, 2010 I think that enriching the carbs just a bit would probably do the job. These bikes are set at the factory to run pretty lean. You could probably back out the air adjustment screws about 1/4 turn and that would do it. My question though is why would you want to? I don't see the problem with having to give them just a bit of choke when it is needed. It's usually a matter of a bit of choke and them almost immediately pushing it back in. Once you start tweaking the adjustment screws, it is almost guess work to know if they are set properly unless you have an exhaust gas analyzer. Though I do think that enriching the carbs on these bikes just a tad can have some positive effects, I really don't think it should be done blindly. Lean? I have always been to the belief that they run a little rich? The exhaust seems pretty black for a lean machine....... I do agree though, I don't see any point in messing with the carbs because you use the choke a little bit. Actually I think my bike would start without the choke most of the time but it just starts easier with it. BOO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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