Is a choke required?

[Superarnie]

Dear all,
I understand it was a common modification/practice to remove the choke (or air valve) from these machines and blank off the hole on the top of the carb where the choke cable went through. Can anyone advise me in what circumstances that would have been done? I'm guessing in relatively hot countries? If so, in the UK for summer riding only, would it be recommended or leave it in?
Many thanks
Gary

[Rex]

If my bike has a choke I don't remove it, but if it hasn't got a choke I don't bother replacing it. My current A7 with Amal Premier likes a bit of choke first thing though.

[Triton Thrasher]

You can manage without the air slide in the UK, in any weather.

It just means a lot of tickling is required.

It was and is done when the cable breaks, when you lose parts of the air slide system during maintenance, or when you can’t get the slide to stay fully up.

[Yeti]

I don't have a choke fitted, Just a good tickle  and on a cold day partially cover the air intake with my hand for a few seconds

[Catz]

I've got a choke fitted and my bike needs it but since i've fitted a new float needle and float i don't need a tickle.

[CheeserBeezer]

The amount of choke you need seems to vary from bike to bike. I've had A10's which need choke and others that don't.

[Superarnie]

Thank you all for your replies; quite a mixed bag! I'll leave it in for now and see how I get on.
Regards
Gary

[muskrat]

G'day Gary.
Since moving to a colder climate and higher altitude my A7 now requires the choke and a tickle in the morning.
Make sure it's adjusted right. Hold the twist grip full throttle and use the choke lever to pull it up. Now put your finger in to make sure it's all the way up and not obstructing the air flow at all.
Cheers

[Rex]

To be fair, it would only be causing an obstruction if the throttle was WFO, and no-one rides there for very long...

[Colsbeeza]

Gary, Mine is still fitted (1960 A10 bog standard A10). I have used it on very cold mornings but it isn't really needed. Just kept it for originality. When fully opened, the friction lever holds it up very reliably, so no temptation to remove it yet.

[Triton Thrasher]

To be fair, it would only be causing an obstruction if the throttle was WFO, and no-one rides there for very long...

Depends how far down it falls.   

I can’t be the only rider who occasionally uses full throttle and expects full throttle to work.