Whats your daily starting routine..?

[beardedsk8er]

Probably sounds like a silly or "everyone knows" type question but just wanted to compare notes with others and survey to find out what others daily bike starting routines are.

I have a 2003 883 and since I've owned it (2 1/2 yrs), it has always started by fully pulling out the choke and cranking it. Unless it was cold outside it would start up. Otherwise I might also have to try cranking it over a couple times before it would start.

My mechanic, Ive been getting it serviced at, however, told me I shouldn't have to use the choke, and shouldn't at all, as it will foul the plugs and to pull the throttle back a little while starting my bike, on a cold start. When he tried to demonstrate this to me however it took him a couple tries to get it started but he didn't use the choke on a cold start.

Then I just recently got my bike serviced at a Harley dealer and they adjusted my bike so it naturally idles a lot lower. So low in fact that when I first start it up it will stall at the first couple lights unless I hold the throttle on a little. Didn't go back to ask about this but this is a little annoying as previously when my bike was started, and warmed up a little, when I turned it off it would start back up instantly and beautifully. Now if it stalls it wont start right back up and Im sitting there in the middle of the intersection trying to crank it over and get it started..

Anyway, then it eventually seems to be fine after being warmed up but idles so low I constantly think its going to stall and is super quiet compared to the way it had been.

Anyway, now if I pull the choke out fully on a cold start it doesn't start and I have to try 3 or 4 times, sliding the choke in and out to get it to start...

What is considered the exact routine on this or does everyone have their own or have to piddle around like this..

Not sure if my bike is now properly adjusted and Im just not used to it and have to adjust my routine a little, but w/ the new adjustment it seems very tempermental...

[rwrunski]

after its warmed up turn up the idle screw a little untill it idles a little faster

[beardedsk8er]

Originally Posted by rwrunski

after its warmed up turn up the idle screw a little untill it idles a little faster

Ok, so it sounds to you like the idle was turned down too low..

Do you cold start w/ your choke..?

[rwrunski]

allways thats why its there

[davev1954]

Originally Posted by beardedsk8er

I have a 2003 883 and since I've owned it (2 1/2 yrs), it has always started by fully pulling out the choke and cranking it. Unless it was cold outside it would start up. Otherwise I might also have to try cranking it over a couple times before it would start.

My mechanic, Ive been getting it serviced at, however, told me I shouldn't have to use the choke, and shouldn't at all, as it will foul the plugs ..

Do the '03's have a choke or an enrichener?

[wilkin4]

Normally I give the throttle a twist and pull the enricher all the way out, once it starts control the idle speed with the enricher. Ride a few blocks and then push the enricher all the way in, this is with a cold start. Warm start, just push the starter.

[xllent01]

Originally Posted by wilkin4

Normally I give the throttle a twist and pull the enricher all the way out, once it starts control the idle speed with the enricher. Ride a few blocks and then push the enricher all the way in, this is with a cold start. Warm start, just push the starter.

+100

Thats the same procedure I follow..works just fine even with cold or warm starts..Ride Safe!!

[radeschultz]

Originally Posted by wilkin4

Normally I give the throttle a twist and pull the enricher all the way out, once it starts control the idle speed with the enricher. Ride a few blocks and then push the enricher all the way in, this is with a cold start. Warm start, just push the starter.

+1 That's how I start mine as well...

[Big-Ed]

Originally Posted by wilkin4

Normally I give the throttle a twist and pull the enricher all the way out, once it starts control the idle speed with the enricher. Ride a few blocks and then push the enricher all the way in, this is with a cold start. Warm start, just push the starter.

+1 Thats the same way I start mine... Works for me, I just gauge when the choke needs to go in, if you leave the choke out too long, thats when you will foul the plugs!..

I can normally ride about a quarter/half a mile & thats the engine warm enough to put the choke full off & idle correctly at lights.. & thats at around 12 degree Celsius (53 degree Fahrenheit)...

[Airbozo]

This is my routine:

1. Insert key and turn ignition on. Check
2. Turn run switch on. Check
3. Depress front pressure relief valve. Check
4. Depress rear pressure relief valve. Check
5. While pulling choke knob out, press start button. Check
6. Wait for bike to start (one or two revolutions after pressure valves close). Check
7. Simultaneously twist throttle to maintain idle while closing choke. Check
8. Use cheater lever to hold throttle at low but even idle. Check
9. Finish putting on gear. Check
10. Release cheater lever and ride on! Check!

LOL!

can you tell I am bored this morning...


EDIT: BTW, for the first couple of years that I owned my sporty, I thought the choke pull was automatic and it would shut itself off when the bike was warm enough. My mechanic laughed when I told him this one day but as he was playing with my setup, he noticed that I was partially right. When my engine warms up, my choke knob will not stay open. It will also close if I accelerate hard.