are cold starts hard with no choke

[jsmith2232]

I have my 400 ex apart now and am getting it bored to a 416 this week, using a JE 10.8 piston, hotcam stage I, and K&N powerlid. I do alot of riding in the winter months when it is 10-30 degrees and was wondering how hard it is to start if I removed the choke. Also if I were to use a 42 pilot would it lag on the bottom end?

[GPracer2500]

I would deffinitely change to a 42 pilot, especially with your mods (unless maybe your at 7000 feet or something). The pilot circuit has a major effect on starting ease.

The carb has an accelerator pump. When you snap the throttle open quickly it squirts a thin stream of raw fuel straight into the engine. The AP can double as an enrichening device if you have removed the choke. Just quickly open the throttle (slow movement won't acctuate the AP) prior to starting to prime the engine.

Never tried to start in weather quite that cold, but with a properly jetted pilot circuit and use of the AP to enrichen, I bet you'd be ok.

my 0.02$

[hotrodbelair]

i got a 42 pilot jet and i got a 440 with 11:1 compression and i dont even need choke on cold starts all i half to do is pump the throttle a couple times and starts right up. if your jetting is right shouldnt have any issues.

[Rico]

No

[440_Turtle]

ive got the bike below and it has an FCR carb with no choke on it, usually 2 full pumps proir to hitting the starter will do it.

[ride_red666]

i have a 42 pilot in and it starts with no choke in the cold winter months up here in canada

[greg_gorrell]

i dont know whats up with mine...i have a 42 in it right now and it will not start with the choke off. but when i go to a 45 it thorws my jetting off.

[jordan_m6]

what advantage is it to remove the choke.

[GPracer2500]

Originally posted by jordan_m6
what advantage is it to remove the choke.

Getting that obstruction out of the way eeks out a wee bit more performance from the stock 400EX carb. I found it mostly helps with the stock carb's not-so-good throttle response.