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Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:55 pm
by 68Sxandy
Hi All,
Has anyone fitted one of the handlebar mounted choke levers? I have bought one and wondered what is the best routing for the cable, any help gratefully received.
Andy
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:12 am
by carlos fandango
Heres what i did with mine , i followed the hydraulic hose which id put through the switch housing .which follows the orig. f/brake cable route.
[URL=http://s630.photobucket.com/user/annierussell/media/20130408_203859_zps81698c8b.jpg.html]
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:33 am
by coaster
Thanks for posting this thread, I also have one to fit. My hydraulic hose is routed via a hole in the side of the headset so I am planning of following that route. One question though, when being operated, does the lever stay where set or does it have to be held in place?
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:21 am
by carlos fandango
The lever should spring back when you take your finger off. I didn't like this , if I'm on a long a road or motorway I just want to keep it on . So I tightened the bolt up and lo titled it so h have to move it back with my thumb, just remember to move it back when you come off throttle at a exit or island for example, because the engine will just stall .
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:37 am
by coaster
carlos fandango wrote:The lever should spring back when you take your finger off. I didn't like this , if I'm on a long a road or motorway I just want to keep it on . So I tightened the bolt up and lo titled it so h have to move it back with my thumb, just remember to move it back when you come off throttle at a exit or island for example, because the engine will just stall .
Thanks for that

Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:40 pm
by Knowledge
I have fitted a FZR600 choke lever to the LHS of the handbars (it rotates with the gear change). It has an adjustable retaining screw which allows you to have the lever self-return, or remain on, which is my preferred setting.
I had been struggling with high mid range pinking, which equates to dual carriageway cruising speed. Not good, and I am sure this killed a couple of my engines in the last few years. I have wondered if this related to timing or fuelling, but lacked proof.
With the manual choke fitted, I am able to feed-in a tiny amount of choke as soon as the I detect the pinking and it disappears, instantly. I am able to leave the choke on a fraction and ride with confidence.
Now I know that the pinking is a fuelling issue, so I can work on the carb to (hopefully) cure the problem for good. However, I will not remove the handbar mounted lever, cos I love it.
(expect much of this post to appear in a forthcoming Oily Rag)
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:21 pm
by Rich Oswald
Is there any noticeable change in the note of the engine tone or smoothness of the engine when you use it at full chat?
Rich'
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 08, 2014 11:01 pm
by carlos fandango
Same as me Knowledge ...On the way to the 8 balls on the A14 and A11 i had pinking at quarter throttle, by using the choke and rolling on and off the throttle i could control it.
On the way home, with the road noise increasing from the rain , i couldnt hear the pinking so just guessed using the choke and watching my egt. However about 60 miles in on the A14 my engine died, locked up solid .

i thought id holed a piston and the loose alloy had siezed it solid
However when i stripped it down, id had a large chunk of piston crown edge break off !
Rich
No i havent noticed a different tone particularly ? its just the same as flicking the normal choke on with your foot , but much easier

Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:57 pm
by 68Sxandy
Thanks for the replies guys and the advice, all fitted now and working fine. Onto my next query: anyone tell me the pros and cons of using a remote air filter- mine is currently running with an open carb and therefore spraying fuel and oil all over my panel and floorboards.
Cheers again

Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:33 am
by Knowledge
Hi Andy,
May I politely suggest you start a new thread about the air filter? This will allow the subject to stand-alone, which may attract more responses, and perhaps make the subject easier to search for.
Just a thought.....
Martin
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 15, 2014 11:58 am
by Storkfoot
I can see the benefits of the choke being handlebar mounted for ease of use when doing choke tests to set up your carb. I can also see the benefit of using it if you get an air leak you can't fix on the road. But surely using it regularly is just masking the fact that somewhere on your throttle progression you are running lean??
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 15, 2014 1:33 pm
by Storkfoot
So, in essence, if you have an engine that is approaching a real race tune, acknowledging that the air/fuel ratio is always going to verge on weak somewhere on the throttle ( as it's impossible to jet in the precise ratio all across the progression) and if you regularly ride on "the edge of sanity" this could prove useful?

Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:20 pm
by trev t
storkfoot not really got it yet have you..
this item is to be used when running flat out (for a long time )on any lambretta it increases fuel and cools top end , thus it does not heat up as much and sieze...
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:30 pm
by Knowledge
Riding on the edge of sanity.
It could be the club's new logo......

Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:38 pm
by trev t
like that one martin,, get a bagde done,,, lol
Re: Handlebar mounted choke lever

Posted:
Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:42 pm
by Storkfoot
trev t wrote:storkfoot not really got it yet have you..
this item is to be used when running flat out (for a long time )on any lambretta it increases fuel and cools top end , thus it does not heat up as much and sieze...
Thank you for that interesting insight
