Starting the bike cold, how do YOU do it?

[Korr]

Hi again everybody! When i am starting the XS up when it's cold, I always have to give it some throttle while i push the start button & this is with the choke full out. Petcock switched to the PRI posistion. Once it starts I will push in the choke to the halfway posistion. I still have the Octy. Is it the same thing for you guys or is pushing the starter button enough for you/your sexy beast?

[oldyam80sg]

I don't use the throttle at all when starting it cold,then again i don't have PRI on my Pingel petcocks-just on, off, and reserve.Switch to on,pull out choke all the way and hit the starter button and it starts up.

[bikerphil]

On one of mine I just push the button with full choke and no throttle, fires right up. On my other, half choke and a little throttle right when it first fires.

[HobbyMan]

You should not need to use throttle when you start it. When you open the throttle, you are allowing much more air to pass through the carbs. This leans out the mix

[cywelchjr]

On mine if the weather is cold I go full choke and touch the throttle till it starts running. If the weather is semi-warm then I use half choke and no throttle till it's running, if it's hot out, then no choke and generally no throttle although sometimes I need to crack it a bit.

[oseaghdha]

I do whatever works best on my bike.
Unless its being a PITA and just doesn't want to start, don't worry about it.

Once mine is warm, just a touch of the buton is all it needs.

[CatatonicBug]

No need for the prime setting, as the fuel that is already in the float bowls is plenty to run the bike for 2-3 minutes anyway.

I always pull full choke, and instinctively hit a bit of throttle to start. I could probably do it without the throttle though, since, as was mentioned, that leans out the mix by reducing the vacuum pulling fuel up through the choke (enricher) circuit. When the engine is warm, I don't need the choke, and when the bike's been sitting in the hot sun for a while, I just use half choke.

[mxmikie]

mine (78e) was a circus act to start until i replaced the coils with a set from a vt1000 honda i used mercury marine copper tinned triple insulated plug wires(ebay $10.00 10ft) i installed new plug wire caps (ebay $8.00) and removed the resister now i never use the choke i turn the key on and hit the starter button i don't think it turns over one complete revolution it fires up instantly

[Silent]

My bike must be wierd. 1/2 choke and a single kick will start it most of the time when ice cold. Or a short shot of the electric starter will do it as well

[Ken Talbot]

Full choke, no throttle. Having to crack the throttle a bit indicates, to me at least, dirty spooge holes in the bottom of one or more of the float bowls.

[Korr]

Full choke, no throttle. Having to crack the throttle a bit indicates, to me at least, dirty spooge holes in the bottom of one or more of the float bowls.

Doh! Something for me to think about.

[redbone]

mine starts easy when cold with full choke. it also starts fine when hot. its when it sits for about half hour or so that it gets a little hornery. then i have to give a little throttle to get it goin.
1980 mns
original fuel system

[Wildkat]

You should not need to use throttle when you start it. When you open the throttle, you are allowing much more air to pass through the carbs. This leans out the mix

John says the same thing... but with mine... it just doesn't work that way. I know it may not make sense, but she's a little finicky that way.

Like bikerphil said with one of his bikes... I give mine half choke and a little throttle.

[XJOK2PLAY]

When cold, full choke, no throttle, one spin of starter, fires up... within 30 seconds, high idles... within a couple of minutes reduce to 1/4 choke, take off... ride a 1/4 mile... no choke & good to go.

When hot... that's a different story. Sometimes, starts instantly - no throttle. Most times I have to give it a little throttle, and she cranks longer than I like. Always starts though.
I've ridden w/ other members that I KNOW have their carbs right, and I've heard their bike start the same way. Noticed a lot of 'em do this.

[Crazcnuk]

80G will start right up anytime choke or no choke, but won't stay running w/o choke when cold (slowly loses rpm and dies). Warmer weather I use 1/2 choke, colder weather uses full choke.

80SG same as 80G, unless its been sitting a week or more. If so it will not start period, choke, no choke, throttle or not. I have to pull one spark plug and put in a tsp of gas, replace plug, and then it will start right up. I have also used a propane bottle in the air box pickup (because I had the seat off). If I use the bike regulary it starts just like the 80G.

78E Will start with or w/o choke but dies right away w/o choke when cold, unless I open the throttle right away. There are no detent balls on the choke rod, so I have to hold the choke open manually.