Bike Starts Cold With No Choke?

[Winterhawk]

Not sure what to make of it. Went through the Carbs and all stock jetting. Float heights are around 25mm, give or take .5mm. Fuel screws around 1.5. Jet Needles on the middle clip.

Jardine 4 into 1 header and Pod Filters installed. I've had to start it with no choke and used a little starting fluid when cold. If I try with the choke on full and half way it will not start when cold. Float bowl choke passages are clean. It acts like it is too rich with the choke when cold. Warm it is like it's suppose to be, no throttle and tap the starter button, starts immediately.

The jetting looks like OEM stock for a 1978 XS1100E and not K&L. going to take the carbs back off later and go through them again this time removing the Needle Jets and the Float Needles and Seats. It should be running way lean with this jetting and setup.

I have a stock air box that is going on it after I'm sure the Carbs are right.

Any Ideas?

[jetmechmarty]

Mine does too. Unless it sits over a week. Even so, I have to close the choke as soon as it fires. Otherwise, it runs great at all throttle settings and RPM. 28-30 mpg. It had a dead spot, but lubing the advance mechanism fixed it. I have stock airbox and four into one header. My jetting is stock but for 115 mains on 2&3. My plugs are light tan. 2&3 are lighter than 1&4.

[bikerphil]

It is possible a small amount of fuel is slowly leaking down past the float valves as the bike sits for hours. By the time it is started, the fuel level is higher than normal in the bowls causing a rich condition upon cold startup. I've had this problem before with a seeping vacuumm fuel tap and less than perfect float needles. Seems to maybe happen more on the early 78-79 carbs with the non viton tip needles. Also check the condition of the fibre washer on the fuel seat.

[Winterhawk]

Thanks, I guess as long as it runs right I'm not going to worry about it. Went thru the Carbs readjusted the floats to 25mm and then re synced them and set the fuel screws. Sounds good on the lift. Can't wait to ride it as I still have to do the brake calipers. Another XS1100 brought back to life from the dead. Pics when I'm done.

[BA80]

Mine always starts without the choke unless the temps are like below 40º. I just use the throttle lock to warm it up.