Aftermarket choke install

[Roemy24]

Has anyone installed one of these chokes pictured below? It is suppose to fit my '80 850L but had no instructions. I think I got it to stay in the stem but the choke keeps closing on it's own. I tried to turn the plastic knob/nut thinking it was a friction lock but it bottoms out and then will strip.

[robertbarr]

That sure looks OEM to me. The lack of adequate friction was a problem since '79, when the first 850 was introduced. The trick is to pull up & hold the choke knob with the right hand, pull the clutch in with the left, and hit the starter with your right elbow.

There's bound to be a better way, but that worked for me for about 55,000 miles and six years.

[Steve]

I hear of these problems and keep feeling luckier and luckier.

When we got my son's '81 850, the choke knob stayed out when pulled. That was the only way I could get it to stay running long enough to try to get stator output readings. OK, the cable could be dirty and have a bit of friction. A couple of months ago, I installed a brand new cable on Mike Riddle's '81 1100E. Brand new cable on freshly-cleaned carbs, you would think there would be no extra reisitance. The cable stays out when pulled. Do these things really stay out like that or was I incredibly lucky with two rare cables?

.

[almarconi]

I purchased a cable from dennis kirk that was supposed to be an oem replacement but it did not fit, parts unlimited brand. I would either purchase oem or find a used one.

[SqDancerLynn1]

OEM cables ONLY.. If you pull the choke knob up & turn to R or L it will stay up

[Roemy24]

Where would I get a OEM cable? I checked bikebandit with no luck finding one, same luck with Z1.

[gsryder]

For what its worth my bike never had a choke cable on it.

But if I just flip the lever directly on the carbs it will flip to the open position and stay open until its warm then I just flip it back closed.

[Odinist]

That sure looks OEM to me. The lack of adequate friction was a problem since '79, when the first 850 was introduced. The trick is to pull up & hold the choke knob with the right hand, pull the clutch in with the left, and hit the starter with your right elbow.

There's bound to be a better way, but that worked for me for about 55,000 miles and six years.

Oh snap, I thought that was my own special procedure! I guess not.


Hehehehe.

[DanTheMan]

A pair of very small vice grips kept in the fairing or a jacket pocket works real well to hold the choke closed too. My choke cable rusted out a couple of years ago, and I replaced it with the choke cable from the donor '78 'Wing I had. Had to mount it differently, but it works pretty well.

[focus frenzy]

a cloths pin works good and when not in use can be clipped to the clutch cable for safe keeping, or so I am told. mine work fine. and the SV is self choking, just gas and go.

[Steve]

Where would I get a OEM cable? I checked bikebandit with no luck finding one, same luck with Z1.

Handlebar fiche from Bike Bandit. You want #13, $17.82

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[hp1000s]

I have my bike keys on a rubber floating key-bobber...lift choke knob, put bobber under knob, release knob, start bike...my elbow isn't pointy enough to accomplish start-up acrobatics.

[Roemy24]

Thanks Steve. I missed that.