[ridetolive]

Hopefully you guys can give a bit of advice on this one. I have a 98 F3 and leave for work at 06:30 in the morning. I use the choke to start each morning and leave running to get it warm for 3 - 4 minutes. (neighbours don't like this) The issue is it has a sports exhaust and some mornings it sounds rough (choked up/deep growl as if over fueling) if I leave the choke on for a bit longer it sounds fine. It also seems to collect alot of condensation in the pipe (drips out bottom and smoke/steam out of the silencer). If i pull off and keep the revs above 5000revs in 2nd gear after about a mile the exhaust quietens down. Also at what revs should I let it tick over at with the choke on? I try to not let it get above 2000 revs on warm up.

I suppose what I am really asking is what is the best start up proceedure when using a manual choke and how long to keep it on for? (saving for a Fi model)

 

[MidwesterneRR]

I only choke mine as long as it takes for it to run at idle with no choke. Usually not very long, then let it idle to warm up

 

[roland5color]

I let mine idle with the choke on between 1500-1800 rpm. Usually once the bike is warm enough to run with out the choke the rpm will start to slowly rise on its own. Once this happens I turn the choke off.

 

[ridetolive]

Cheers guys,

I will give it a go tonight on way home from work. It usually goes straight to 2000 revs and then sits there for 20 - 30 secs and then starts to rise. How long would you suggest to warm up for? There is no digital display just the needle and gauge.

 

[roland5color]

You don't need to use the choke long enough for the gauge on the needle to move that is way to long. However if you mean how long you should let the bike warm up before you take off on it then I usually let my needle start to move slightly above its starting point then I ride easy until she is up to normal operating temp. Just remember that because your water temp is up to normal operating range doesn't mean that your oil and the rest of your engine is. Especially if it is below freezing. So don't get crazy on the motor until she is good and warm all the way through.

 

[ridetolive]

Chers Roland big help

 

[roland5color]

No problem any time. Good luck let us know how it works out.

 

[ridetolive]

Sounded a bit better this morning when i left. Used choke for about 30 - 40 seconds and then turned off and let idle for another 3 mins. Does not warm up fully as only work 3 1/2 miles up the road. I do take it for a decent ride at the weekends (100 miles ish) just to give it a run. When the better weather arrives will be out riding most nights after work. Will continue to use this method and see if it improves more. Would the amount of condensation in the pipe also cause it to growl. The bike stays outside all the time but does get covered up every night and during the day if not riding. The reason i say this is once it is fully warmed up and the stream/smoke is no longer coming from the silencer it sounds alot smoother.

 

[roland5color]

The bike is going to sound a little rough or growl as you say on a cold start especially if it is stored outside in really cold temps. It is just the nature of a carbed bike. All the condensation that you are seeing come out of the pipe is because the pipe is cold and the exhaust gases are hot. So until the pipe reaches the same temp as the exhaust gases condensation is going to occur. By the time the pipe is good and warm the motor should also be warming up thus sounding smoother by the time the condensation is gone. Sounds like you are getting the hang of the choke. Just use it long enough to allow the bike to idle on its own. If you keep using it longer than that you will eventually faul out your plugs.

With such a short ride to work you really need to take some long rides more often. If the engine is not allowed to warm up to normal operating temps then your oil will start to hold condensation and other contaminants as well and will not protect your engine from wear like it should.

 

[ridetolive]

Skipped out of work this morning for an hour. Rode bike until the cooling fan came on and then went back to work. Might do that a couple of days a week until better weather arrives. Cheers for all your help.

 

[burntfries36]

anybody have any advice on why a choke wouldn't work at all. my 95 cbr600 f3 will start and run fine in the summer, but now that its a/b 45 degrees outside it wont start at all, it wont even try to turn over if the choke is on, and this past summer if i even moved the choke lever up at all even a 1/4 turn it would shut the bike off. any ideas? i want to ride it on the days its getting up to 55 60 degrees this week, but i'm thinking w/out that choke i dont have a chance, oh and the choke is working properly i took the air box off yesterday and could see it moving open and closed with the switch

 

[GUNBUNNY2BG4U]

I GOT A 94 600F2 AND STARTS HARD IN THE COLD TOO