Odd problems with first starting

[Just5cents]

Ok maybe its just me, do I always have to choke the bike in order to get it started? or could something need replaced/cleaned? Everytime i havent rode it for a while wheter it be first thing in the morning or after work i have to mostly put the choke on to start it cause it will start but putter out...also what should my bike be idling at? mine is idle at 1000rpms

I have a 98 Katana 750

[yngveny]

Not necessarily anything wrong, but your idle is a little low.
Should be 1200~1300

[Just5cents]

Ok good..and how do you adjust the idle?

[yngveny]

Your idle adjuster is inside the smaller hole in your left fairing.

[Kreylyn]

If the bike is cold (as in not recently been running), your probably going to need choke to start it. That is how it works. If it starts up pretty quickly with choke, you don't have any issues. Just don't run choke for very long.

Be sure before you adjust the idle, the bike has been operational for at least 15 minutes. Do NOT let it just idle for that long or it will overheat. Go for a ride, warm it up... then adjust the idle.

Krey

[Enjay386]

I use the choke every time I start it but on warmer days I just use it to start it, then I turn it right off and just rev up the engine some.

[Delgado]

Sorry to jack this thread but I have a 90 kat that takes forever to warm up and I need the choke on every time I first start it? Is this normal for a kat? I have a friend that has an 83 kat 1100 and he just jump on and go. My bike also idles around 1000 rpm. My carbs were just cleaned by a shop and I dont see any difference in performance. I was told that would help. The only difference I see is that my bike now only runs on prime.I`m almost certain that I have a vacuum issue.

[scottynoface]

Sorry to jack this thread but I have a 90 kat that takes forever to warm up and I need the choke on every time I first start it? Is this normal for a kat? I have a friend that has an 83 kat 1100 and he just jump on and go. My bike also idles around 1000 rpm. My carbs were just cleaned by a shop and I dont see any difference in performance. I was told that would help. The only difference I see is that my bike now only runs on prime.I`m almost certain that I have a vacuum issue.

Sounds like the shop forgot to hook the vacuum line back up to the carbs.

[barryjay]

I have a 96 Kat 600, when bike is cold I need to choke. I had my carbs cleaned and tuned by a motorcycle shop in the spring. (I only need to choke it to get it started, once moving I can shut choke off).

[kevin2502000]

If you don't need to use choke when it's cold out then your set up is too rich.