when she cold she takes forever

[CASABROKER]

cold starting at about 39 degrees choke on fully, starts.  then takes forever to get full throttle.  won't open up fully until very warm.  after warm runs fine

[Chrisj CMA]

You didnt supply any info...........age of bike, miles.....has it been desmogged.  Sounds like air leaks to me.

Check all 18 screws holding the intakes on and check vecuum lines if its not been desmogged, then check exhaust header nuts

[hubcapsc]

When you put the choke on, look down at the linkages above the carbs... do you see that it is
really going on? Many of us have "put the choke all the way on", only to find out later that we
just pushed the lever down to where the resistance of moving the linkage has only just barely
engaged... the lever moves a long way before the choke even starts going on...

-Mike

[CASABROKER]

It's a 97 24k miles still smoged.  Choke was all the way engaged.

[mirion]

I am not sure what the difference is that causes this affect but I have two Valks with totally different cold starting  characteristics:
1997 Std, Desmogged, 60,000 miles, runs like a dream with no choke required until the temp is down in the 40's
2000 IS, Desmogged, 28,000 miles, runs great when warmed up but as high as 75 degrees outside it needs full choke and still reqiuires some "throttle feathering" for the first few minutes.

Neither one has been Synced since the desmog. The 97 has Cobras and no rejetting so I guess it is naturally running rich. I do make sure to force the choke lever to full choke on the 2000.

It looks to me based on postings here as well as my own experience that there can be a wide range of "Choke Requirements" for these girls.

[Pete]

Sounds like it is running lean.
Sometimes dirty carbs will also make them run lean.

In my experience a 97 standard is richer than a 99 IS and requires lesse choke and warm up, do not know about others. 

[98valk]

cold starting at about 39 degrees choke on fully, starts.  then takes forever to get full throttle.  won't open up fully until very warm.  after warm runs fine

open up your idle mixture screws 1/2 turn at a time. its too lean at idle.

[sugerbear]

+1 on too lean

[Chrisj CMA]

Im no rocket scientist, but if the intakes or vacuum lines were leaking, wouldnt that lean the micture out (too much air)  If thats so, I wouldnt start turning screws or changing jets before making sure its not sucking air

[Ricky-D]

If, as you say, the bike runs fine when warmed up: Then I would do nothing except as Chris says.

Check for vacuum leaks.

It would be foolhardy to start to turn screws or anything else that will affect how it runs, in light of what you have already said.

Besides, the Valkyrie does take a long time to warm up . A long time especially when the ambient temperature is low.

***

[Robert]

Its lean and the causes are many. First check the choke make sure its fully on because on these it feels like your going to break the lever before there is ever full choke. Like Chris says air leaks but cant be that bad if it doesn't miss or run poorly or backfire. The other cause just a lean mix or partially clogged carbs. Look at the plugs after you have run it warm for awhile it will be a starting point. If white then lean should be tan. It may run fine on a lean mix but you wont necessarily get the best performance and it will be cold blooded. Another thing that would help is a timing wheel not the cause but a work around to help.I have mine set up so that till it gets to 35 or 40 dont need the choke of course here in S Fla that would be almost never.

[R J]

cold starting at about 39 degrees choke on fully, starts.  then takes forever to get full throttle.  won't open up fully until very warm.  after warm runs fine

I can see you apparently have never lived in a cold area.

The choke is used to help start the bike, and then you take it off gradually.

Mine will start below zero and burp, piss and cough till it is warm, but their is nothing wrong with it.

I know others have said make sure the choke is FULL on.   You responded you had the choke on, well to please an old fart, please read and try it.

Choke lever, press it down until you hit resistance, now push it another 1/2 " down.    NO, you won't break the cable, you are just trying to slide 6 enricher's into the choking position.    The black handle should be pointing straight at the starter button when it is full on, or flat.

Now, please go check it out and report back...     Old fart says thanks.

As Forrest Gump would say:
“That's all I have to say about that.”

[CASABROKER]

Choke was fully engaged all the way no doubt.  So their just cold blooded suckers.  Start it go have a cup of coffee then she'll be warm.

[Hotrodwing]

Boy my 97 seems to be on the other end of the scale when cold I don't use any choke and she cranks right over.  If I try to use the choke she won't start???

[R J]

Boy my 97 seems to be on the other end of the scale when cold I don't use any choke and she cranks right over.  If I try to use the choke she won't start???

Keep your hand off of the throttle and it will start on the 1st flick of the starter.

Learned that about 13 years ago on MGM........

Mine full choke, will start on about the 3rd revolution of the motor, then it takes it awhile to start to warm up.    In that little warm up time, keep ur fingers off of the throttle handle.  Works the same at zero as it does in the 70 degree range.  From zero it takes a littler longer to warm up.

PS:   Let it warm up or you will have it on it's side at the 1st stop light you turn the corner.   You will get 1/2 through the corner and it will burp and you got no go power to finish the corner and bring the Phat Bitch back to the upright position.