Choke kills it

[btxs650]

I have a 79 with the thumb choke lever on the left side. The bike starts fine WITHOUT the choke if you give it a little gas. It starts ok if you give it just a little choke. It won't start with the choke on full and if its running, turning the choke on all the way will kill it. Any ideas?

 

[Pandorasglocks]

I always thought this was normal as my bike in any of my various carb tunning set ups has died when I pull the choke and the engine is warm. Why are you trying to use the choke in summer anyhow?

 

[Inked Monkey]

Mine too

 

[retiredgentleman]

btxs650;

On my 78SE: Cold engine..........I need choke for about 7 or 8 seconds
and then choke comes off.
Hot engine...........no choke required, just give some throttle.

Its not normal for the engine (cold engine) to fail to start with the choke on. A cold engine needs a richer mixture to start. Possibly the float bowl level is too high, which goes along with your ability to start without the choke. I use a clear plastic tube connected to the float bowl drain plug to read the bowl level.