Choke suddenly completely lose

[mrmaxman]

Hi,

I am riding a Suzuki VL250. I rode about 200km to visit family, and then left the bike in the garage for a week. When I next went to start it the choke was completely loose: the choke lever just moved with no resistance, and it had no effect. It was fine when I started the bike before the 200km ride. There were some kids messing around on the bike when I was out - pulling levers and things...

So... 1. Could it be bad for the bike to ride it when the choke is unusable? I assume it is stuck in the "off" position, so as long as the bike starts there is no issue?
2. What would be the likely cause of this?.... and what would you be looking at/checking?

Assume I am a complete idiot when it comes to bikes (I will not be offended! )

Thanks!

[Big Dog]

Hi,

I am riding a Suzuki VL250. I rode about 200km to visit family, and then left the bike in the garage for a week. When I next went to start it the choke was completely loose: the choke lever just moved with no resistance, and it had no effect. It was fine when I started the bike before the 200km ride. There were some kids messing around on the bike when I was out - pulling levers and things...

So... 1. Could it be bad for the bike to ride it when the choke is unusable? I assume it is stuck in the "off" position, so as long as the bike starts there is no issue?
2. What would be the likely cause of this?.... and what would you be looking at/checking?

Assume I am a complete idiot when it comes to bikes (I will not be offended! )

Thanks!

This time of year most bikes will start fine without a choke and running without one won't harm your bike as long as you feather your throttle to maintain a steady idle until warm.

Most likely the cable has come loose at one end.
Less likely to be a break because you normally feel the cable snap.

My guess:
If you follow the cable to the motor end there is a little screw that clamps two ends of the choke cable to the arm that moves to operate it. The cable is likely just resting there having vibrated loose.

Source: this has happened on a couple of my bikes.

Otherwise take the lever off and pull the cable... if it comes through at your end but is still attached at the engine end it is broken.

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[Big Dog]

PS. Changing the cable is a doddle if you have the right one. Broken choke cable is definitely nothing to panic about in summer.
If your cable is done in and your bike won't start for you without choke you can move the same lever by hand, most are not spring loaded but will vibrate back to neutral /off without a cable to hold it in place.

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[mrmaxman]

Thanks for that Big Dog. I will take the petrol tank off when this newyears eve thing is over and check it out.

Cheers. Have a great NYE!

[Big Dog]

Cool let me know how you get on.

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