choke question

[al v]

My bike is starting and running fine. Plugs look great. No popping.

But my choke now behaves differently since I made a series of fixes and upgrades...

(I've read a ton of the choke related postings on the board trying to research this...)

Use to be I turned the choke on for the first start of the day regardless of temps outside, it would idle up to 2K, and I would slowly turn it off, and it would start without the choke for the rest of the day.

Now, the bikes starts without the choke on just fine for the first start of the day. (the temps have been in the 60's and 70's)

But, if I try to start the bike with the choke on, no throttle, push the starter button, it will not start at all, though this use to be what worked best. Turn the choke off and it starts right up. Once running, I can slowly engage the choke while giving it some gas, but it doesn't idle nearly as high as before. 

Please note: this is NOT an issue of failure to fully engage the choke lever, I've triple checked that twice with the covers off.

Just finished a series of fixes and upgrades on my bike:
Removed OEM exhaust and replaced with MarkT pipes w/silencers.
Replaced air filter.
Replaced o-rings on the intakes.
Replaced o-rings on fuel rails.
Installed dan-marc. (still have original working petcock)
Performed desmog.

My personal theory is that perhaps I fixed a vacuum leak, which made the bike run richer, and now the choke is no longer required for 60's and 70's degree starts.

Until it gets cold again, my only concern is if the bike will start as good when it gets colder...

Thoughts...

[salty1]

Some of your mods probably allowed for the bike to "breathe" easier and it maybe running slightly leaner. Since you did a desmog, most vacuum leak sources have been eliminated. Above 60 F I never need to use the choke on either of my Valks. Your use of the choke at 60 to 70 F is probably flooding yours. FWIW

[mmurffy03]

mine starts better after a desmog and slow jet increase in one size needs much less choke now but does pop now and then stock pipes still In place with K&N air filter no prefilter and NGK irridum plugs

[old2soon]

99 I/S 74562 miles anything above 38 degrees F no choke needed. Stock air filter hell bike is all stock. And when it's cold enough to need the choke Ii don't need it very long at all. RIDE SAFE.

[Hoser]

Most folks don't use the choke if it starts well without it.  Don't use it if you don't need it.  It will be cold again.  Use it then.  Hoser 

[Denny47]

Don't know why you would want to use the choke if it starts ok without it. Shouldn't need to choke if air temp is above 50. That is what the manual states also.

[Jess from VA]

Both mine need (or do better with) choke in all weather/temps.  Not for long, but I always get one second starts (with a good battery) with choke on. 

[Ricky-D]

I say that after all the fixes that you should adjust your preconceived notions about starting and running your bike and accept how it is now.

And act accordingly.

***

[al v]

Thanks for all of the replies! Gotta love this board.

It's good to hear that not using the choke is standard operating procedure for some.

I'm going to assume the "new normal" is a good thing.

[vanagon40]

. . .  Turn the choke off and it starts right up.  Once running, I can slowly engage the choke while giving it some gas . . . . 

Exactly the way mine starts for six years now.

[Valhalla]

Was there any change in gas mileage before and after?  Just curious.

[al v]

Before the changes, I was getting slightly worse gas mileage then the guys I ride with. The other day, 4 of us (all riding valks) stopped at a gas station and we all put in the same exact amount after 116 miles of mixed back roads and highway. I've only done a couple tanks, but the early indication is my gas mileage may have improved about 2 mpg.

[salty1]

Al you left us hangin, what was the amount of gas added or your mpg?

[al v]

I put in 3.6 gallons, so that was 32 mpg that day. The 116 miles included about 30 miles of highway at 80 mph.  I had another .5 gallon to reserve.  That would have put me at going on reserve at 132 miles. I was mostly getting about 30 mpg last summer and reserve was usually soon after 120 miles.

There were too many changes all at once to know what made a difference. It could be the exhaust, the new air filter, or a fixed vacuum leak...