87 voyager xii starts w/choke on then quits

[rgmyszak]

Hello everyone, got a head scratcher here. My 87 xii will cold start instantly, with the choke on, and run for about 3 or 4 seconds then quit. When I try to restart it with the choke on it will not start. I can start it without the choke cold, but it takes a bit. Once it starts to warm up it runs perfectly. Maybe something in the choke circuit causing it to flood, or lean out when starting causing it to quit? Any input would surely be appreciated, thank you

[triton28]

If this characteristic is something new to your history with the bike then possibly there is something wrong with the plunger starting system on the carbeurators.
However, if this bike is new to you then it may simply be the procedure you are using to start the motor.
Not knowing which is the case I can only offer the following: with mine the starter lever is full on to start, then upon starting I have to quickly roll the starting lever back a bit or the over rich mixture will cause extremely lumpy engine running followed by flooding out. Should this happen, and it has, I have to follow the "no choke" approach to rid the cylinders of the over rich fuel mixture before the engine will start. PITA!
All engines start and run differently and each has it's own characteristics so I have learned where and when to ease back on the starting lever to suit my engine. Hopefully this is what is going on with your "starting of the engine problem" as it is easier to correct than working on the carbeurators .
Dave

[rgmyszak]

Ok, thanks for the info

[Mr Jensee]

My 2001 does the same as triton's. It depends on ambient temperature, humidity and how long the bike has been sitting since last started. On cold days I can pull the choke full on hit the start button it will light then Idle up to 3 or 4 thousand rpm and not die. On warm days if I do the same procedure I have to dial back the choke at least to half to get it to run and idle down less than 2 grand till it's warmed up. I don't think I would know how to act with a new bike with fuel injection.