Alternative choke control?
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Alternative choke control?
My xl came with excellent controls and ergos with the exception of the choke control. The bike cranks quickly and smooths out in seconds--ready to ride off. Then the contortions begin: pull clutch in with left hand, reach across-over-down with right hand to push in choke, engage first gear, reach across-over-down with right hand to adjust choke, and ride away. Yes, you can just grind into first gear or wait ten minutes for the motor to warm up. But, I don't want to take either of those options. Does anyone make a right side choke control?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
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From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
This is how I used my choke when I had my Sportster.
1. Pull the choke all the way out, start the bike.
2. Return the choke half way after 2 miles, it also depends on how cold the weather is.
3. Ride my bike until the rear rocker cover gets warm, push the choke in.
You can do this while you are riding, do you still need the choke **** on the right?
1. Pull the choke all the way out, start the bike.
2. Return the choke half way after 2 miles, it also depends on how cold the weather is.
3. Ride my bike until the rear rocker cover gets warm, push the choke in.
You can do this while you are riding, do you still need the choke **** on the right?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I can't figure out why there should be any need to use the right hand for the choke. 
Step:
1 - Pull choke full out.
2 - Start bike and use star wheel to lock the throttle at a fast idle.
3 - After about 30 seconds or so push choke in 1/2 way.
4 - Let bike run at fast idle & 1/2 choke till rear cylinder is just warm to touch.
5 - Loosen star wheel, back to normal idle and put in 1st gear.
6 - Ride 1-2 miles and then use left hand to push choke fully in. You can do this between shifts when you are not busy with the clutch.
Step:
1 - Pull choke full out.
2 - Start bike and use star wheel to lock the throttle at a fast idle.
3 - After about 30 seconds or so push choke in 1/2 way.
4 - Let bike run at fast idle & 1/2 choke till rear cylinder is just warm to touch.
5 - Loosen star wheel, back to normal idle and put in 1st gear.
6 - Ride 1-2 miles and then use left hand to push choke fully in. You can do this between shifts when you are not busy with the clutch.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
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From:
The bike shifts easily into first gear with the choke pushed in. But, your left hand is operating the clutch. You need to pull the choke back out before riding away. That is the essence of the problem. Maybe the tranny will get smoother with more mileage, but it doesn't want to slide into first gear crisply until it gets fully warmed up. The slower the idle, the better it shifts when cold.
I've seen bikes with all sorts of choke controls. Anyone have a handlebar control or a mount on the right side of the bike?
I've seen bikes with all sorts of choke controls. Anyone have a handlebar control or a mount on the right side of the bike?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,192
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From: Metro Milwaukee, WI
Guess I'm not seeing the issue. Then again I havent ridden a metric bike in years... what you are looking for is a perfect example of metric engineering. what's next? turn signals switch only on the left handlebar? lol
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: Wheeling, WV
If it's that big of a deal, just make a bracket to mount it on the right side somewhere. The cable will still work in a curve shape, but don't kink it.
Oh, and I disagree with cHarley, as well as others, on the use of the throttle lock for warm up, but it's one of those "Different Strokes for differernt folks" things. A properly adjusted choke cable tension nut works wonders. I rarely even touch the choke after pulling it out on start up, as it slowly slides back in on it's own as the engine warms up.
Oh, and I disagree with cHarley, as well as others, on the use of the throttle lock for warm up, but it's one of those "Different Strokes for differernt folks" things. A properly adjusted choke cable tension nut works wonders. I rarely even touch the choke after pulling it out on start up, as it slowly slides back in on it's own as the engine warms up.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 4
From: fegfsg
dear god, dude dont you think you should take your hand off the clutch and just push in the choke??
the answer is so obvious hahaha
i never even use the choke, it starts up great and i use the throttle lock to keep a high idle. you should try it it keeps your plugs cleaner
the answer is so obvious hahaha
i never even use the choke, it starts up great and i use the throttle lock to keep a high idle. you should try it it keeps your plugs cleaner
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Road Master
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From:
I'm sure that God can release the clutch in gear without moving, but it is a challenge that is beyond us mere mortals. However, two things are now clear to me. Why Harley went to fuel injection, and why some bikers have no front teeth.
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I've never had a problem with my choke. I don't know why you'd have to adjust choke while shifting into gears.
All I've ever done is pull the choke all the way out to start up (mine won't start otherwise unless its already warm), then as i'm driving it pulls itself back in as it warms up. Just need to adjust the lock nut correctly.
All I've ever done is pull the choke all the way out to start up (mine won't start otherwise unless its already warm), then as i'm driving it pulls itself back in as it warms up. Just need to adjust the lock nut correctly.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I'm a relatively new rider, only been riding since March, but I don't see a problem with the choke being where it is. Then again this is my first bike so I haven't built up habits from other bikes or anything weird like that. If it's colder I'll just start it at full choke then I push it in halfway for a few minute warm up then push it in all the way after a couple minutes on the road. Hopefully I'm not fouling out my plugs (maybe I should check) but that's the way I do it. I'd like to adjust mine to go back in automatically, that must be nice.