No choke?

[Adz]

Hello,
Relatively new to owning a 1950 A7.
And very new to the classic bike world...

Is there an obvious reason why my bike would have the choke removed?

[limeyrob]

I've had a number of BSA twins with no choke.  Ticking is effective for starting and then a slow warm up.  The chokes often vibrate on as its a taught cable so people do the friction screw up so tight they can't move then stop using them.  5 years on and the cables are stuck so it all gets removed.  Air-cooled engines warm up quite fast so its not often that you would be riding any distance with the choke on, better to warm the engine and oil up a bit before riding off.

[RichardL]

With my “original” (meaning not new production) Amal 930 with no choke, I use an extended throttle-stop screw to adjust idle as the engine warms up. My muscle memory knows where to find it at stop signs/lights without looking. Lets onlookers know riding a time machine is a process.

Richard L.

[Rex]

If a bike came with no chokes I wouldn't fit them, but then if it came with chokes I wouldn't remove them either. Definitely make my bikes that bit easier to start with chokes fitted.

[Adz]

Thanks all for the replies.
OK so nothing to worry about then.
Just thought it was weird.
It starts and runs fine.

Is there a possibility that choke slide could be permanently on and carb tuned to that and running rich?
I guess I could check the plugs for fouling.

[Rex]

Don't think you'd get very far with the chokes fully on all the time..

[Adz]

Ok thanks. 

[limeyrob]

You can poke your finger in the carb and feel the throttle slide, when its fully open there should be noting in the way except the needle.

[orabanda]

The choke is also useful for tuning the carby, by being able to progressively richen the mixture when on the road.
Richard

[Greybeard]

On my 55 GF I found that unless the temperature was freezing I did not need the choke. I just tickled the carb for a few seconds. If I then operated the kick-starter like I meant it the engine would fire first kick*. I tightened the friction on the choke lever to prevent the choke from dropping.

*I would then offer a silent thank you to the bloke that rebuilt the mag 👌