Hornet won't idle on choke

Crash it for fun · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Karma :

I've just bought a 2 year old CB600F Hornet. It's a blinding bike! Fast, Handles well and hasn't caused me any problems so far bar one.

When following the manual's starting procedure for normal air temperature, Which it definately is, It fails to idle.

The procedure is :

1) Put choke fully on
2) Push starter button until engine starts
3) Operate choke until engine reaches a fast idle (2500 - 3000)
4) After 30 seconds switch off choke

This 9/10 times causes the engine to start, hovers around 900-1000 rpm then stall. However, the bike will start perfectly fine if I use my procedure :

1) Leave choke alone
2) Start engine using a tiny amount of throttle
3) rev engine to about 1500-2000 rpm for about 5 seconds
4) engine will now idle at a normal 900-1000 rpm
5) Leave to warm up while I put my gear on.

Am I doing something wrong? Is my procedure causing my bike harm?

Dr Nick · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2003 Karma :

RooRoo · Anal Intruder Joined: 04 May 2004 Karma :

Well its a totally different bike but my GS stalls if i open choke fully, if i open it a bit its fine bit I generally do what you do and rev it gently for a few seconds then leave it, leaving the choke open all the way stalls it

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Simply try a bit less choke opposed to fully on, or none at all if the bike is ticking over ok with out it.

You won't be causing any damage etc to your bike the way you are currently starting it, come the colder weather, you may find your bike needs a little bit of choke. I don't think I've ever used full choke on any of my bikes or cars apart from maybe an initial start when I then close it off slightly till I find a point where it sits and idles.

All the best

Hex
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Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

ive a cbr400. (old)

you will learn to use different ammounts of choke for different weather conditions.

Also different bikes like different settings of fueling for start up.

Choke adds extra fuel to the mixture. Opening the throttle when you turn it over also will add extra fuel. But in cold weather you need to use the choke alone as it is much more effective at the enrichment process.

basically on mine (at this time of year) you can either put a bit of choke on with little or no throttle, or open the throttle more with no choke to get it started. its kind of like balancing between the 2.

in cold weather though you will need choke. basically the engine needs a certain ammount of fuel for start up, and it varies depending on the weather.

you'll find if its cold and you havent got the fueling right, it will just turn over but not catch. add more fuel and it'll start.

if you open the choke too much, and/or open the throttle too much it will backfire, or flood the engine... becasue you have added too much fuel.

trust me you will learn/get to know your bikes likes and dislikes with reguards fueling...choke/throttle system and eventually it'll be like second nature. . .

And remember to push off choke before you ride out. riding with choke on for long periods is not good.

clemsta · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Karma :

If the bike doesn't need the choke then don't use it, just save it for the cold weather, every bike is different, my NS125R just needs the choke to start then a little bit of revs till it gets warm.

jay12329 · Dr. Evil Joined: 02 May 2003 Karma :

When starting my 03reg hornet from cold i put the choke on almost full. Then press the starter till it fires then give it a little throttle so it spikes at around 5k. Then let go and it idels nicely till it walms and the speed increases, at this point i can remove the choke completely. Hope this helps.
J