choke (enrichener) lever doesn't stay

[tranger03]

Good Day!! I have just about got the old beast running. My last question is regarding the choke. When I pull the choke out it does not even act like it wants to stay at half or full choke. I have read that there is a small ball that sits inside of one of two grooves in the bar. I am not sure I understand where this tiny ball would go. Lastly, if I need to get a new one where would I find one and are there any particular dimensions I should be looking for.

Thanks,

Camron

[Ken Talbot]

When you pull out the rod that actuates all four of the 'choke' mechanisms, you will see some indents. The carb where these indents are, should have a spring and a small ball bearing inside the part of the carb that the rod psses through. When you have the parts in front of you, it is pretty obvious where the spring and ball would sit. IIRC, the ball is about 1/8" diameter.

[TADracer]

I replaced the springs and balls (that sounds bad) on my carbs a few years ago. Each of the outboard carbs have them on my 79 Special. Got them from a Yama dealer and the parts were only about $5.00 for a bag with four of each part. They are very small and if you do not realize they are there, they will drop out when you remove the choke rod. Impossible to find when dropped. So an extra or two in your tool box is a good thing to have.

[81xsproject]

Does it normally not stay out if the balls are removed? I don't have the lever (of course) on mine and want to put a knob. But lately I have been using more, finer, adjustments than just the 2 stops. I was considering removing the balls.

[prometheus578]

"Doctor... after you removed my balls, my knob doesn't spring anymore. I'm ready to choke you!"
The spring loaded balls catch in little hollow detents.. which is what holds the lever in preset positions.

[81xsproject]

When I was writing that part of that post, I thought 'hmm, I might be opening the door on this one.' Shoulda know you would swoop in like the dirty joke bird of prey, prom. I love, this place just would be the same with out it. My question is more like, will the knob stay out without the 'balls.'

[TopCatGr58]

Jesse,

The Enrichener plungers have springs on them as well, trying to close them. When you actuate the "choke" lever, you are compressing those springs....x 4, so unless you have some form of resistance against the rod, it will tend to retract back towards the closed position.

The XJ uses a friction lever and cable to allow for variable settings. So...you might look into getting something like a bicycle gear shifter lever and cable setup if you want the variable setting, otherwise, you'll just want to put your balls and springs back in!
T.C.