HELP - Choke Cable Slipping

[hdrewh]

Hi All,

After reinstalling my left side switch housing, the choke cable won't stay in the open position (or "closed", not sure of the right term) - when I pull the lever down, it doesn't stay, goes right back to its original position.  

Even without the choke cable installed, if I just pull the "choke bar"(?) out, it slides right back to its original position.  I seem to recall it was always that way but I'm not sure now - I can't see how the cable would ever keep the bar in its "outward" position without snapping right back. But it was ok before I removed the housing/cable.

So I need a little help please    

Thanks,
Howard

[rider123]

Whats you bike? Is it a spring loaded choke? I can see maybe some bikes have it as a "safety" measure so you're not running around on the choke. On my 2005 Bandit 1200 I need very little choke to get her going and it stays where I put it, however I have a jet kit in it so it's running better than stock. If you tell us what your bike is we may have the same bike and can look at the handle bar choke assembly. If you want to test where the problem lies on the carbs you should see the choke bar that turns on the enricher circuits. Manually move that bar to the left to open the enrichers then let go without the cable attached. If they spring back under their own power then see if there is a return spring that is binding up or was replaced by a previous owner with a too powerful spring.

[hdrewh]

Thanks for the reply.  Its an '03 1200s, so I guess essentially the same as yours.  I've had it since '05, when I installed the Holeshot Stage 1 kit, and its been running perfectly ever since, but...

In the past couple months the choke lever on the handlebar switch was sort of 'binding', not pulling smoothly.  I thought it was the switch mechanism and/or the cable, so I replaced both, and now it pulls smooth but I have this problem of it slipping back into the closed (no enricher) position.  

I did as you suggested, and even without the cable connected, the enricher springs right back into place.  So does this indicate a problem with this plunger mechanism?   I believe the parts in question are 32-36 here:

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/44/Year/2003/ModelID/6955/Model/GSF1200S_BANDIT/GroupID/298922/Group/CARBURETOR

Parts are cheap enough, I would replace 32-36, but it looks like I have to remove the choke lever (part 1 HERE: http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/44/Year/2003/ModelID/6955/Model/GSF1200S_BANDIT/GroupID/298857/Group/CARBURETOR_FITTING) to get there, and I don't think I can do *that* without removing the carbs entirely.  I'll do it, but I want to be reasonably sure I have to.

Thanks again, much appreesh.
Howard

[rider123]

It should theoretically return on its own as you don't want to be running around with the choke on. I'll check on my bike by manually pulling the enricher bar and see what is happening. It could be that the new cable is so new that it doesn't have any friction to hold the choke in place. Let me check, on my GS750EF it had a return spring however I'm not sure if the bandit has one or not, it may be entirely cable actuated. I'll let you know.

[hdrewh]

Thanks for the reply.  Problem solved.  There's a spring that goes in the bottom of the switch housing, maybe 3/4" long.  Comes vertically up and contacts the under-side curved portion of the choke lever.  Strong enough to hold the choke cable in place, but light enough for the lever to move back and forth with moderate pressure. 

My son found the spring in my car a few days ago.  I had half a thought it might have something to do with the bike and kept it.  Now I know.  :rolleyes:

Its true that the the plunger mechanism should fall back into place on its own, its the spring tension on the lever that keeps it from doing so.