'choke' question

[ianh]

hi all.
New to the site as per my intro on the newbies forum.
I've searched, but not been able to find, an answer to my question.
my 97' 1100 does not need any choke to start, even when it's been cold.
If I move the lever to any of the indents there is no effect on the idle speed.
She pulls like a train, and i'm happy with the performance, but should I be worried that she's running rich?
Is there a check i can carry out, or will it need the expertise of Sherlocks in South Molton?

 

[boxer]

The choke is a fast idle lever. The 'choke' on my 1100 did nothing [from the factory] for the first few years until I adjusted the cable as part of the 'zero zero' thing. I believe it's got 87K on the clock now.

If you're worried about the bike running rich the do a plug chop but I bet it's fine.

 

[sockpuppet]

Its not a choke its a fast idle, its the same as pulling on the throttle a bit as you start the bike.

Check the spark plugs, should tell you if its running rich.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Ian, the 'choke' leaver does nothing other than 'up' the idle speed... it has no effect on mixture.

If yours isn't 'upping' the idle, unless you really want it to I wouldn't bother with it

Edit, beaten to it

 

[motobiker]

I've never understood why its there.. unless its a 'climate dependent' thing. I start the engine and immediately pull away. so the revs go up. without touching the 'choke' lever at all. (makes sense to me)

Don't be fooled by the word on the lever.. these bikes should never be run at a standstill to 'warm up' before riding. simply start the engine and pull away.

The lever says 'Choke' the manual calls it a 'cold start lever' just to confuse you even morer.. and then they go on to contradict themselves.

ie.. in one paragraph they go on about 'upping the IDLE speed and in the next say.. Do NOT allow the engine to idle.

bloody comedians. that page always makes me titter.

 

[Welshman]

Too many reports of Merkins leaving it to idle on choke to walk back 30 minutes later to find pipes glowing and sightglasses melted

 

[Wrigsby1]

If they are welll set up they will hold a very low idle when cold but are prone to stalling. If they are running a bit rich at tickover through the CO pot then thay will start and tickover fine without cold start lever.

I know this through recent experience and now have a bike that will hold a well balanced 750/800 revs cold but might stall so cold start lever is on until I get out of the end of the drive

You can live with this but might find your can is a bit sooty and the revs are slow returning to tickover from 2k.

 

[ianh]

thanks all.
The reason I ask is that the cold start lever on my 93 1100RS did do something.
I get on the GS and ride straight away anyway, with no problem in the revs returning to 1100rpm at idle, but i wanted to be sure. TBH, i've been very impresed with the power and torque, although the surging is noticeable at low speed.

Interestingly, although not related, I removed my beige CCP for my 17m ride home after reading the Steptoe mod (and it being for the 1150's)
I noted a distinct lack of surging under part throttle and an altogether more responsive bike.
Lot more vibey though, and a marked reluctance to rev over 4k.
CCP is now back in to let me see the difference (and there is a difference)

Also, just got my accelerator module, so I shall fit that and report back....

 

[gabriel_gs]

I have to use the 'chock' every time I start my 1150GS from cold in cold weather. I usually keep it on until I have 1 bar on the temperature gauge, then shut it off completely.

I could just start it with a first-full of throttle, but when it's cold it'll often stall when I let go.

During the summer when it's warmer I don't need use the 'choke' at all.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

I have to use the 'chock' every time I start my 1150GS from cold in cold weather. I usually keep it on until I have 1 bar on the temperature gauge, then shut it off completely.

I could just start it with a first-full of throttle, but when it's cold it'll often stall when I let go.

During the summer when it's warmer I don't need use the 'choke' at all.

same experience here

 

[motobiker]

I could just start it with a first-full of throttle, but when it's cold it'll often stall when I let go.

Mine doesn't get a 'fist full of throttle' that gives the impression I need to rev the thing like crazy. (bad idea)

No..just what is normal for pulling away. my wrist does what the 'choke' lever does.. without me thinking about it. the engine starts to 'labour' it gets a smidge more throttle. Maybe this lack of 'stalling' is a side effect of living a fair way from a stop sign. down one hill and then up another. Its getting on for a mile from my home to a junction I'm forced to stop at. And its rare indeed that I AM forced to stop there.

In short. I never use the 'choke' because I don't think about it. Nor does the bike tell me it needs it. That might change If I'm ever forced back into wage slavery. and have to be up at stupid o'clock. so never say never.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Mine doesn't get a 'fist full of throttle' that gives the impression I need to rev the thing like crazy. (bad idea)

No..just what is normal for pulling away. my wrist does what the 'choke' lever does.. without me thinking about it. the engine starts to 'labour' it gets a smidge more throttle. Maybe this lack of 'stalling' is a side effect of living a fair way from a stop sign. down one hill and then up another. Its getting on for a mile from my home to a junction I'm forced to stop at. And its rare indeed that I AM forced to stop there.

In short. I never use the 'choke' because I don't think about it. Nor does the bike tell me it needs it. That might change If I'm ever forced back into wage slavery. and have to be up at stupid o'clock. so never say never.

Funnily the most problems I have had with cold stalling is when i had it dealer serviced. It never came back the same twice It is probably the CO setting with slightly + being lesss stall prone.

Since going over my whole injection system it has behaved itself much better, even at less than 1k revs

 

[darrenptalbot]

Interestingly, although not related, I removed my beige CCP for my 17m ride home after reading the Steptoe mod (and it being for the 1150's)
I noted a distinct lack of surging under part throttle and an altogether more responsive bike.
Lot more vibey though, and a marked reluctance to rev over 4k.
CCP is now back in to let me see the difference (and there is a difference)

Also, just got my accelerator module, so I shall fit that and report back....

What is the beige CCP bit all about?

 

[roddy]

What is the beige CCP bit all about?

Here Cat code plug

 

[darrenptalbot]

Here Cat code plug

Thanks Roddy. As I've got an 1100, I'll leave well alone!