[axel_2078]

Ok, this is the first carbureted bike I've had in a few years, so I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that I need to use a choke now. The previous carbureted bikes I had were sport bikes, so they both had a handlebar mounted choke. I liked this a lot. What I remember about it is that the lever never moved out of position when I used the choke. On my Marauder (and most cruisers I'm guessing) the choke is a knob you pull out on the side of the bike. The problem I'm having is that the bike will not start unless the choke knob is pulled all the way out (so much that the rubber grommet puckers out a bit). Well, actually the problem is that the choke lever pulls itself back in once I release it. The bike keeps dying because the choke pulls back in. In order to keep it running, I have to pull on the choke knob for about 5 minutes until the bike is warm enough that I can release it and it won't die when the knob pulls back in. I know some carbureted cars automatically pull the choke back in once the car is warm enough, but I've never seen this on a bike before. Is something wrong with my choke knob, or is this normal?

 

[md2lgyk]

The piece that the choke cable passes through, right behind the knob, is a tension adjustment. Pull out the choke, then turn that piece clockwise a bit until the choke stays out.

It's not unusual that the Marauder needs choke all the time. My '03 needs choke to start even if it's 90 degrees out.

 

[tlwisner]

It's not unusual that the Marauder needs choke all the time. My '03 needs choke to start even if it's 90 degrees out.

I hope when you say "needs choke all the time" you are just referring to starting the bike and warming it up. Right? 8)

Riding with the choke closed could give you more rpms than you really want at a bad time.

 

[axel_2078]

Riding with the choke closed could give you more rpms than you really want at a bad time.

I'm confused...don't you mean riding with the choke open?

 

[oldgeezer]

Riding for extended periods with the choke open will also foul the plugs. I have to choke my bike to start it even in the dead of summer. It's not a Suzuki though.

 

[axel_2078]

Do you guys wait until the bike is warm enough to run choke-free before you take off and ride, or do you ride off and leave the choke partially open for a few minutes until it can be fully closed?

 

[md2lgyk]

Well yes, I meant it needs choke all the time to start. Unless it's really cold outside (like 40 degrees), I only keep the choke on for a minute or so.

 

[tlwisner]

I'm confused...don't you mean riding with the choke open?

When you activate the choke, it closes off the opening for your air intake, which results in the carb's vacuum pressure pulling more fuel through for a far richer mixture. You close the choke to start and warm up the engine, and open the choke to ride. Some people ride with chokes still engaged (closed) because either the engine is not yet warmed up or the mixture is too lean to idle decently.

 

[axel_2078]

Well yes, I meant it needs choke all the time to start. Unless it's really cold outside (like 40 degrees), I only keep the choke on for a minute or so.

Your bike doesn't die after turning off the choke for minute or two? I can't keep mine from dying unless I open the choke up all the way and leave it there for about 5 minutes. If I push it in even a little, the bike sputters and dies. Lately the temps have been in the mid 60's, so I don't know if that will have as much impact when spring arrives or not.

 

[tlwisner]

Your bike doesn't die after turning off the choke for minute or two? I can't keep mine from dying unless I open the choke up all the way and leave it there for about 5 minutes. If I push it in even a little, the bike sputters and dies. Lately the temps have been in the mid 60's, so I don't know if that will have as much impact when spring arrives or not.

It sounds like your bike's fuel mixture is too lean. Temps in the mid 60°s aren't exactly harsh! 8)

 

[Trapper]

I close the choke for 1 to 2 minutes then open it before I ride away. BTW this is in high 30's to low 40's in temp

 

[Texas Jay]

I have to hold the choke out all the way out for at least two or three minutes before I can go anywhere. If I let it go, the choke goes back in a little and the engine cuts off.

I have to do this no matter what the temperature is. This is the only problem that I've found with the bike. It's not that bad. I'll have it looked at when I hit 600 miles (the first servicing).

 

[axel_2078]

I have to hold the choke out all the way out for at least two or three minutes before I can go anywhere. If I let it go, the choke goes back in a little and the engine cuts off.

I have to do this no matter what the temperature is. This is the only problem that I've found with the bike. It's not that bad. I'll have it looked at when I hit 600 miles (the first servicing).

That's the same problem I'm having too.

 

[Trapper]

At my first service the dealership fixed that same problem

 

[md2lgyk]

Like tlwisner says, I think your idle mixture is set too lean.