Do I need a choke?

[PaulC]

Hi All,

I have had my 1959 Super Rocket since June. It's my first old British bike so I've been on a steep learning curve as some of you will know from my earlier posts!

When I first got her home, she started on the first ever kick. More by luck than judgement because I really didn't know what I was doing! Throughout the summer this persisted, more or less. One or two kicks would do it. She kicked back a few times, so I then found out what the lever on the handle bars was for. Retarding the ignition made things a bit easier on my knee. She became much more gentle with me.

As the weather has become progressively colder, the number of kicks required has increased. Now she can need five and sometimes more. Today it was about 30 (and my knee is really sore!), but I think that's because I've just re-filled my tank after servicing the fuel taps and may have needed to clear some air. When hot, she only ever needs one, including today's second start.

So now to my questions: do I need a choke fitted? Can I even fit one to my Amal carb? Or, should I just put her away and wait for Spring?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

[Triton Thrasher]

Use the tickler button on top of the float bowl.

[Angus]

I think they are all different, I think it is more about technique/procedure.
My A7 does not need or like any choke to start from cold even at this time of year. Turn on petrol, tickle until feel petrol on finger. Do a prime kick or two (e.g. just a slow turn over kick not trying to start it). Turn it over compression, a tiny bit of throttle and one kick she starts (almost every time).
The Super Profile A10 needs full choke same tickle no prime kick no throttle and again starts first kick (almost every time).
Obviously this means you could fit a choke but whether you need one is a different question. If you don’t have an air filter fitted then find a way of partially blocking the intake and see if she starts more easily.

[KiwiGF]

i just fitted a new Burlen supplied 376 carb to my GF, I decided to fit the choke as it came with it, never had one before and used the tickle until finger wet 1/4 throttle approach, with usually first kick results, the choke on the new carb makes hardly any difference to the way the engine runs, which surprised me, but it does not as cold here (nz) as most places.

just my 2 cents worth, maybe others find the choke makes a difference?

[Rocket Racer]

tickled carb + kick back backfire may = burnt out bike.

Where ever possible I fit a choke.

For my race engine which I do flood, I also always have an extinguisher handy!

Having had a bike fire from tickling and kick back in my poor uni student days and having seen my then triumph twin burn furiously I dont like tickling carbs if I can avoid it.

[muskrat]

Yep http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=6165.0
Don't need choke down here but air filters help stop this.
Cheers

[Triton Thrasher]

This is the first time I've seen a recommendation to avoid tickling the carburettor.

If you start a fire, remember to close the petrol tap!

[Angus]

No I have not heard the don’t tickle thing before always thought it was normal procedure.
I would not even know where to start with the A7 as it has a choke fitted but even a little bit of it applied and it does not even fire. Runs sweet as anything with a tickle and a little throttle, although does not tick over till its warmed.

[PaulC]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'll do without a choke for now and just try to learn the knack.

I have, however, ordered a fire extinguisher!

Paul

[Rocket Racer]

as muskrat mentions, air filters will usually prevent back fire fires, but the bike I had burn out many years ago just had a gauze filter.
I recall roy bacons bsa buyers guide includes a picture of a burnt out a65 as a complete prospective project bike