[motojavashadow]

Bike is 04 vt600. Rode 7 freeway miles to destination. Bike off for little over half hour and had trouble starting the bike (did not use choke or throttle).

New battery about six months ago and had strong cranking.

Second try. While cranking, played with the choke (from off to on) and also used throttle.
When bike finally started, I could smell excessive gas from exhaust.
Did I do something wrong? I know vt600s are cold-blooded bikes but not sure what's the proper steps in starting a warm bike.
This doesn't happen all the time as I've had successful start-ups on situations like this.

Oh btw, when I got this bike, the clutch switch had already been bypassed. I'm guessing it's because the choke is on the left side of the engine and we'd have no hand to choke and crank at the same time if the clutch switch was still active?

thanks.

 

[gdb069]

Starting a warm engine is no choke, slight throttle. Your post implies you must hold the choke open? You need to adjust this as you should be able to open the choke and it stays there while you press starter. If excessive gas smell ie flooded then: no choke, full throttle, press starter for 5 seconds. If it starts release throttle. If it does not then wait 10 seconds and start as warm engine.

G.

 

[smilie]

Respectfully disagree. You should never have to use the throttle unless you have it flooded. If the bike is warm it should start without throttle. If anything, a little choke, but no throttle. If you need to add throttle, you're either out of adjustment or have a dirty carb. Run some seafoam treated fuel through it and see if it improves. Also, fix that clutch switch. Those things have an intended purpose.

 

[NWO-DW]

Agree with smilie. I never use throttle when starting. Given a 30 min brake I would have probably choked it, even though it will start without it, it is much less laboured. Does you bike idle ok with choke off?

 

[gdb069]

Respectfully disagree. You should never have to use the throttle unless you have it flooded. If the bike is warm it should start without throttle. If anything, a little choke, but no throttle. If you need to add throttle, you're either out of adjustment or ....

Do you have an owners manual? Check on starting warm engine. My post quotes Honda VT1100C2 owners manual Page 48. I think the OP is looking for technical info rather than opinion since they posted on the Technical forum.

G.

 

[smilie]

Do you have an owners manual? Check on starting warm engine. My post quotes Honda VT1100C2 owners manual Page 48. I think the OP is looking for technical info rather than opinion since they posted on the Technical forum.

G.

Not just opinion. Experience from owning and running two Honda shadows. Sorry it's not technical enough to meet your requirements.