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Choke to start?

Discussion in 'Honda 250cc In-line 4's' started by anthony, Apr 21, 2014.

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  1. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    Hey guys, my cbr250rr always needs to be choked to start of a morning, if I ride again an hour or so later it doesn't, but if it's around 5 or more hours after I first stared it that day it needs to be choked again, is this common for an older bike? Or is there something I can do to "fix" this? It's not a problem to me but would be great to know, thanks :)
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  2. Tim_

    Tim_ resident nutcase Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Tune and valve clearance and you probs won't even need a choke.
     
    Tim_, Apr 21, 2014
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  3. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    My opinion but the choke is pretty necessary for older bikes - hence why you have one. Here's a good explanation of how it works that I found from google:

    The function of the choke is to regulate the air/fuel mixture during engine startup. It produces a higher concentration of fuel (a "richer" fuel/air mixture) when the engine is cold, then gradually increases the concentration of air (making the fuel mixture "leaner") as the engine warms up. This is accomplished by a butterfly valve in the throat of the carburetor, at the very top. When this valve is closed the flow of air is very much reduced and the fuel/air mixture is "rich." When the valve is open (i.e., the butterfly is standing straight up), the flow of air is maximized and the fuel/air mixture is "lean."

    Some modern vehicles have "automatic" chokes but the function is essentially the same - helps on start-ups from cold, and becomes more relevant in colder weather. On my previous bikes I started up with full choke, idled for 5 mins or so, choke off and away I went. What you're explaining seems pretty normal to me, but you shouldn't need the choke for very long in warmer weather. It won't really hurt your bike, may create a bit of extra carbon but keep an eye on how much you think you need to use it as the weather changes - that may help you anticipate any issues.
     
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    Joker, Apr 21, 2014
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  4. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Mine has new cam chain valves done still need choke just to kick over takes 2/3 clicks
     
    Mclaren, Apr 21, 2014
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  5. Tim_

    Tim_ resident nutcase Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    But has your carbs been tuned?
     
    Tim_, Apr 21, 2014
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  6. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    My bike is running abit lean and I need to give it a tune but I'm not sure whether that affects the need of the choke or not haha
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  7. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    Mine starts first pop with the choke on no hassles
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  8. mapo_69

    mapo_69 Active Member Contributing Member

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    Valves would only be your trouble if you couldn't start it or found it very hard to start or wouldnt start at all even with choke on colder mornings, sounds perfectly normal to me, as that is what the choke is there for, only way around it is to get a fuel injected bike haha it's magic turn the key wait two secs for fuel pump hit the starter, starts any weather every time!
     
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    mapo_69, Apr 21, 2014
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  9. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Na they haven't but with my experience dirt and road even with a fresh rebuild and carbs my rm still need choke when dead cold
     
    Mclaren, Apr 21, 2014
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  10. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    Woohoo fuel cap doesn't want to unlock, I'm almost out of petrol and need my bike to get to work tomorrow :) good times
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  11. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    Put abit of olive oil on the key, all fixed ;)
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  12. Tim_

    Tim_ resident nutcase Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    When and spoke to chris and he showed me his track bike. He just touched the starter and the engine kicked over no choke dead cold. So so so smooth and a suck a nice bike.
     
    Tim_, Apr 21, 2014
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  13. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    It is normal to use choke to start. What you have described is exactly what I do with all mine. I leave the engine running with just enough choke to keep the engine running while I lock the shed and put my gear on, by then engine is warm enough to push choke off and ride away.
     
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    Murdo, Apr 21, 2014
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  14. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    Thanks for clearing that up for me murdo :) that was the kind of answer I was looking for haha
     
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    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  15. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    No problems. :D
    That is what blokes of my age are here for. We have made all the mistakes and it is now our chance to pass on knowledge to the next generation of riders.
     
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    Murdo, Apr 21, 2014
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  16. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Yep, Im with Murdo, I had a MC22 as my first bike and there is no way it would start without choke , I would leave it for a few mins then once hot enough it would idle on its own. Tim alluded to my current Cibby starting without a choke, I would say that's the exception rather than the norm.
     
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    kiffsta, Apr 21, 2014
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  17. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    My bike starts with a little bit of throttle on a warm day, cold mornins it's all about the choke lol
     
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    Th3_Huntsman, Apr 21, 2014
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  18. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Murdo has nailed it, a little choke to start and you're on your way. My Bandit needs a little choke first up, generally don't use it for the rest of the day.
     
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    Phil, Apr 21, 2014
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  19. anthony

    anthony Active Member

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    I guess my only question now is, is there anything I can do that will assist the bike in not needing the choke as often?
     
    anthony, Apr 21, 2014
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  20. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Not really, its there for a reason, just use it.
     
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    kiffsta, Apr 21, 2014
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