Riding with 1/4 choke

[rockyroad217]

My bike is having a carb issue. I took it apart and cleaned it, but it still needs 1/4 choke to run perfectly. I haven't ridden it but a couple of miles down the road, but I believe it is getting at least close to operating temperature. I'm scared to ride it too far because I don't want to ride too long with the choke on. Will it hurt to ride with the choke pulled out 1/4? I know that is an enrichment valve, but seems to me if it runs good like that it's not hurting it, but maybe my logic is flawed haha. I ordered the new jets and needle and gaskets for everything I thought I might need to get it running right again, but I just wanted to take it for a ride in the meantime. (Since ron ayers has slow shipping times)

[Cbjr]

Did you pull and clean the Pilot Jets when the carbs were apart and make sure the jets were clean and open (they are tiny)?
Double check that you have good seals on both sides of the carb (boot seals). A vaccum leak can cause some low speed issues (won't idle) or only run under choke.
Increase idle mix screws a bit it may help.

[rockyroad217]

Originally Posted by Cbjr

Did you pull and clean the Pilot Jets when the carbs were apart and make sure the jets were clean and open (they are tiny)?
Double check that you have good seals on both sides of the carb (boot seals). A vaccum leak can cause some low speed issues (won't idle) or only run under choke.
Increase idle mix screws a bit it may help.

It will idle, but its set low like a harley( I didn't do that, but realize I need to turn it up some). It just lags when taking off and stumbles at steady RPM's. But with 1/4 choke it runs flawlessly. And yes I did remove the jets. The pilot in particular was completely blocked. I sprayed carb cleaner through it and compressed air. I couldn't get the brass to shine completely like new, but it "looked" ok with my eyeball. There was alot of green varnish on the brass.

[95shadow1099]

What bike are we discussing? Not that it will make alot of difference, it might help?

Bottom line is carbs aint right, if you need choke (ENR VLV) to supply adequate fuel during anything other than cold start up. Set the idle to somewhere close to recommended. Did you get ALL the varnish out of carb? Did you clean/blow through ALL holes/ports/ in ALL areas of carb? As said, check for vacuum leaks. What about the notch that needle is retained in up in diaphragm? Did you take that apart/put back together same location? Grasping for straws here, but it should run with stock jets/no choke. New "bigger" jets aren't required for "somewhat correct" operation of bike. Sure it will be lean, but not to the condition you are describing. I don't think installing a new jet kit is gonna fix it, I may be wrong.

[pipbiker]

Originally Posted by rockyroad217

It will idle, but its set low like a harley( I didn't do that, but realize I need to turn it up some). It just lags when taking off and stumbles at steady RPM's. But with 1/4 choke it runs flawlessly. And yes I did remove the jets. The pilot in particular was completely blocked. I sprayed carb cleaner through it and compressed air. I couldn't get the brass to shine completely like new, but it "looked" ok with my eyeball. There was alot of green varnish on the brass.

If you have to run with the choke on, then your not getting enough fuel. As mentioned above, your carb is not right. You can "live with it" if you want, or fix it. You may still not have got your jets totally clean. You probably need to soak the jets, or even replace them outright. Did you change your exhaust (not stock), then you may need to up the jets.

[rockyroad217]

Originally Posted by pipbiker

If you have to run with the choke on, then your not getting enough fuel. As mentioned above, your carb is not right. You can "live with it" if you want, or fix it. You may still not have got your jets totally clean. You probably need to soak the jets, or even replace them outright. Did you change your exhaust (not stock), then you may need to up the jets.

It's the stock exhaust, I already ordered new jets and the needle and everything, but I was just really wanting to know if it would hurt to ride it with the choke on like that in the meantime.

[rockyroad217]

Originally Posted by 95shadow1099

What bike are we discussing? Not that it will make alot of difference, it might help?

Bottom line is carbs aint right, if you need choke (ENR VLV) to supply adequate fuel during anything other than cold start up. Set the idle to somewhere close to recommended. Did you get ALL the varnish out of carb? Did you clean/blow through ALL holes/ports/ in ALL areas of carb? As said, check for vacuum leaks. What about the notch that needle is retained in up in diaphragm? Did you take that apart/put back together same location? Grasping for straws here, but it should run with stock jets/no choke. New "bigger" jets aren't required for "somewhat correct" operation of bike. Sure it will be lean, but not to the condition you are describing. I don't think installing a new jet kit is gonna fix it, I may be wrong.

It's a 2003 vlx, and I didn't order a jet kit. I ordered new stock jets. I haven't taken apart the diaphragm end of the carb yet though, I'm still waiting on the parts before I tear that side apart.

[kdwooten]

Next thing to look at may be the fuel line running from the tank...and I don't think opening the choke enough to run smooth could hurt anything as long as ya don't flood the carb

[rockyroad217]

Originally Posted by kdwooten

Next thing to look at may be the fuel line running from the tank...and I don't think opening the choke enough to run smooth could hurt anything as long as ya don't flood the carb

I've changed all of the fuel lines because one was leaking. Thanks for the replies everyone, I will make an update of this once I get the carb fixed up with new parts

[rockyroad217]

UPDATE- I shined a light inside the exhaust because I'm sure its not supposed to be as loud as it is stock. At first glance you can't see anything, but when you look inside where the first little wall/baffle thing is, you can see about a 3/8" hole going through it on each exhaust. Neither is centered, so I was thinking someone must have drilled it or something. Is this the holesaw mod? and can it cause the carb problems I'm having?