choke "works" for 5 seconds, then kills engine

[flivver]

Originally Posted by Scrapdog2grand

You had metioned the last time you tried to get the carb s on was a pain in the a55. Why did you take them off, for cleaning? did the bike sit, you may have a dirty or glogged cold start enrichment circuit in the carb, one of the tougher passages to get cleaned properly in my opinion.

are you sure the cables are routed properly? if unsure, the front carb cable comes over the carbs to the left side then joins the rear carb, they then go around the top of the carbs out the right side and then under and back to the left side.

Yup, that's exactly it. The bike sat for four years in the previous owner's garage after he wrecked it. When I got it, it would turn over but fuel spewed out of the overflow line. I removed the carbs and cleaned them as best I could, but may well have missed something. The bike works great otherwise, now.

I think the cable is indeed routed properly, based on your description. Doesn't appear to be bound up anywhere.

[flivver]

As I've had a few days to use the bike, since the plug change, I think I was wrong about the plugs... The bike still stalls relatively easily when cold-started, but it does seem to warm up faster with the new plugs in it. All in all, I'd say the plugs are a good thing.

[Dauntae]

The plugs help it start easier, but still needs to warm a bit but it sounds like your on the right track to getting it going good.