Starting Issues

[Flymo01]

First things first.......

It's a 98 XXW carbed bird, only 23000 miles.

Bike struggles to start from cold. Choke on. Strong turn over on the starter. Will kick into life, but struggles to tick over smoothly above 1k rpm. Have to juggle with the throttle to keep revs reasonably smooth until. Have to let it warm up a bit to let revs settle before I can ride.

I suspect that the choke jets are blocked on the carbs. If I'm right, what's the best way to clean them without stripping the carbs?

I got some Seafoam, but the instructions are not very clear.

Any ideas? Cheers

 

[CBRDEAN0]

I would try some redex or similar fuel system cleaner first

 

[DEG5Y]

During the winter when I run it up maybe once a month, I have this problem. I have found the best thing if it will run to let it run on its own. It may sound like a bag of spanners but over the next, I'll say few minutes as I don't know any more as I usually walk away, it will clear itself and the revs will rise.
Messing with the throttle has always compounded the problem.
If it won't run on its own then to start with I hold the throttle open but steady just enough to keep it going.

 

[Flymo01]

During the winter when I run it up maybe once a month, I have this problem. I have found the best thing if it will run to let it run on its own. It may sound like a bag of spanners but over the next, I'll say few minutes as I don't know any more as I usually walk away, it will clear itself and the revs will rise.
Messing with the throttle has always compounded the problem.
If it won't run on its own then to start with I hold the throttle open but steady just enough to keep it going.

Thanks. If I'm honest, it's like this all year round when starring from cold. Starts and runs great when the engine is warm. That's why I suspect the choke jets.
It's like a.bag of spanners and I have to hold the revs on a bit or it will just cut out. As it warms up, the revs rise themselves and I can reduce the amount of choke. Just can't ride until it's warm as tick over is too lumpy.
I may try the redex from cold a few times to see if that will help to clear things.i don't really want to have them stripped and cleaned, unless there is no other way.
Cheers, Alan

 

[andyBeaker]

Might be worth checking to see if the choke cable is actually attached at both ends and physically doing something when the lever is moved?:dunno:

My old carb Bird only needed about 30 yards on the choke from cold.

 

[Flymo01]

Might be worth checking to see if the choke cable is actually attached at both ends and physically doing something when the lever is moved?:dunno:

My old carb Bird only needed about 30 yards on the choke from cold.

Thanks Andy. Certainly worth checking, just to make sure