choke not working

[TWiesen]

trying to figure out if I'm crazy or just not able to figure this out.  i put the choke on, the bike rpms go up, then they come back down and the bike sputters and dies.  I've researched it and i just can't figure this one out.  I'm assuming maybe somewhere there is a clog not allowing it to enrich properly, or i just possibly have something out of adjustment.  thank you for any help.

[old2soon]

Are you pushing the lever ALL the way down? Fuel on? When using the choke/enrichener you do not need any throttle. And personally I don't use or need any choke til about 25 degrees or less. Hope some of this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[indybobm]

This could be normal if the bike does not need to be choked (enriched). What is the temperature there?
Next time you apply the choke,when thee RPMs go up, immediately back off the choke a little. Many Valks require no choke at all to startup. If the bike does not idle properly when started, there could be other problems such as blocked pilot jets. If that is the case I would go to the nearest WalMart and get a can of Chemtool B12 for under 4 bucks and put the whole can in a tank of gas. Ride that whole tank out trying to keep the revs under 2500.

[sandy]

If a valk doesn't ever need a fuel enrichment, it's probably set up too rich in the idle circuit. Check needles and pilot screws for the easy fixes.

[signart]

If a valk doesn't ever need a fuel enrichment, it's probably set up too rich in the idle circuit. Check needles and pilot screws for the easy fixes.

Or it's packing 38 slows

[TWiesen]

definitely packing 35s, i replaced those a year ago.  i start the bike and it dies so i turn the choke on it revs for a second or two then rpms drop and it dies.  its been that way since i bought it.  i have never messed with the pilot screws and i don't really know what i need to look for with the needles.  they have been out of the carb and the needles cleaned but I've never pulled them apart.  i just now got the bike rebuilt and running from my wreck 9 months ago so its time to get everything reset.  and i did just put some sea foam in it.  would i be much better off using the b12?  thanks for all the responses.  thats why i love this site.

[gordonv]

  and i did just put some sea foam in it.  would i be much better off using the b12?  thanks for all the responses.  thats why i love this site.

Yes, B12. Sea foam is good for a winter stabilizer. But others are better for cleaning.

It sounds like your choke is working, since rpm go up, but seems to be too much, since it dies right away.

Try no choke, but just use the throttle. If it is that rich already, then just a slight feathering on the throttle should be all you need to warm it enough to not requiring any enrichment at all.

Which model bike? Stock pipes? I'm wondering if any discolored pipes. Have you taken the plugs out and inspected for ash and it's color?

[N0tac0p]

well I seem to always need my choke to start the beast, when it gets to about 45 or less.  I have looked at nor adjusted anything in 12 years as the bike runs great (but I have no comparison).  I'd love to have someone ride it that has done performance on their bike or me ride theirs to understand if there's a difference.

[Fazer]

Ditto NotaCop--mine is a 98 and I use the "choke" first start of the day, then it's not needed.  Usually fires and sounds like it may conk out, but then steadily gains in rpm till it's about 1500-2000.  I back it off a little till I am out of the neighbor hood about 1/2 mile, then all the way off once I hit the "main" road. 

It would probably start without the choke (enricher for all you OCD), but what the heck, that's what it's for, right?

[..]

http://www.verrill.com/moto/sellingguide/sparkplugs/plugcolorchart.htm

[N0tac0p]

just went to the link

whats that little bent thingy.  do I need that?

[WintrSol]

One thing that can interfere with starting is the choke adjustment. Mine ran rough, and complained in the cold, then, after reading how the linkages worked, I looked closely at the choke. Seems the right side choke bar was pretty far behind the left when I pushed the lever down. I carefully adjusted them so that they are very close at both ends (by eye), and it is much better, now.

[Ricky-D]

The important point being the enrichers are fully bottomed out when the lever is returned to the "run" position.

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