Manual Choke on 1985 FXRT
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
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Manual Choke on 1985 FXRT
I have a 1985 FXRT and have a manual choke problem. With the choke off (butterfly open, full air) things are fine; the arm on the side . When the manual choke is pulled out (butterfly needs to close) things aren't working right. Apparently there is a spring which is supposed to close the butterfly, right? So is the default position of the butterfly the closed position? If the spring is supposed to close the butterfly valve when the choke is pulled out, is there anyway to replace the spring? Thanks to my skill, my spring is now removed and ruined. Thanks for any comments you might have.......
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
Yep, I know exactly what you're talking about. The spring does open it. The pulling of the cable moves the position of the choke cam (for fast idle) and that allows the spring that operates the butterfly to close it.
I don't think that spring is available from HD and I got my last one off a junked-out carb at an independent shop. And I do remember it was the only one left out of maybe a dozen cores. Upside is, that spring does do the closing, but the intake vacuum will close it about half way at starting rpms without the spring (cable out). So other than hard to start, especially this time of year, it won't cause you any other problems.
There's possibly a good number of those Keheins laying around, just finding one may be the hard part. Maybe somebody here has one and will send it to you.
Just for info, I switched out to a CV. Snagged it off ebay for about 120.00 and it was complete with air cleaner and manifold - everything I needed except cables, though I made mine work, but it's a pain and I replaced them shortly thereafter. Up'd my mileage about 10mpg, not much difference (starting or power) beyond that.
I don't think that spring is available from HD and I got my last one off a junked-out carb at an independent shop. And I do remember it was the only one left out of maybe a dozen cores. Upside is, that spring does do the closing, but the intake vacuum will close it about half way at starting rpms without the spring (cable out). So other than hard to start, especially this time of year, it won't cause you any other problems.
There's possibly a good number of those Keheins laying around, just finding one may be the hard part. Maybe somebody here has one and will send it to you.
Just for info, I switched out to a CV. Snagged it off ebay for about 120.00 and it was complete with air cleaner and manifold - everything I needed except cables, though I made mine work, but it's a pain and I replaced them shortly thereafter. Up'd my mileage about 10mpg, not much difference (starting or power) beyond that.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
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From: Huntersville, NC
How long have you had this bike and how many miles on it?
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
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sorry for the delay in reponding.. i have only had the bike about 3 months, and it shows only about 19K miles.. not sure it is all correct, but the bike is in excellent condition, with most everythng original and in great shape... do you know if there is anyway to replace the spring on the butterfly valve which closes it when the manual choke is pulled? i don't see anyway to get another spring on there; not sure if the part on the end of the shaft where the spring goes is pressed on or not... any help would be appreciated.. thanks...
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
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From: NC USA
I sold my original carb setup when I replaced with the CV, so I have nothing to look at to give you better picture and it's been well over a year since I replaced mine, but seems like I had to remove the screws from the shaft that hold the butterfly plate on and slipped the shaft out to get the replacement spring on. And it was a trial and error deal, since I'd never looked at one that wasn't broken and the core I robbed for the spring was pretty much stripped down already. Not much strength to the spring (doesn't take much) and I had it one wrap too tight, but no prob to re-do / easily noticed before total reassembly. I didn't take the carb off to do it, but had a "screw starter" tool for the little flat head screws.
Not sure how much of your spring is left, but you might find one from an auto mechanic who does carburetor work .. like for an automatic choke or something. The spring has a "U" on one end, about 3 or 4 wraps, then it's 1/4" straight on the other. Or you might even find one under a workbench at a motorcycle shop or someone who changed their carb out like I did.
hope you find one and good luck
Not sure how much of your spring is left, but you might find one from an auto mechanic who does carburetor work .. like for an automatic choke or something. The spring has a "U" on one end, about 3 or 4 wraps, then it's 1/4" straight on the other. Or you might even find one under a workbench at a motorcycle shop or someone who changed their carb out like I did.
hope you find one and good luck
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
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thanks for the info... i actually found a pic of the carburetor with the spring in place on ebay... here is the url of the pic : http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/...0,0,0&format=0
looking at one of the other pics, perhaps i need to take off the butterfly to get to the shaft for remove... this can't be that hard, but i have spent lots of time trying to rig something up...
looking at one of the other pics, perhaps i need to take off the butterfly to get to the shaft for remove... this can't be that hard, but i have spent lots of time trying to rig something up...