I've never been a big fan of manual chokes, bi-metalic/tempurature operated chokes have been around like, forever. so why do I have to do my choke by hand? I can't think of any chokes off hand that would be adaptable to the V, but there must be something out there... (just to see if I could do it)
I'm thinking coil wound like a Chevy choke coil, attached by linkage to the actuator rod, and removal or changing of the plunger springs.
will I find a way to do this and actually do it? who knows.. but i'd like to explore the idea, if nothing else, just for the fun of it...
--Lucky
Good thought, but is it not just as plausible to retrofit different carbs. I know that the sidedraft carb issue is juggled around and vomited back up again and again. Just thinking that a major carb modification should fix several problems. But then agian I never use my choke.
Enough negitive
Do any other motorcycles use downdraft carbs?
Not sure if it would work. The "choke" on the V is not really a choke per se' in that it does not alter the incoming airflow it just enriches the air fuel mixture independant of the "normal" idle circuit. While restricting the incoming air while leaving the fuel enrichment (standard idle circuit) alone could essentially accomplish the same thing, I would think that if that would work on this application, that is what Yamaha would have done from the factory in the first place as it is a simpler and more reliable system. But hey, don't let me stop you from trying!
I'm not saying to bypass the enrichment circut, just add a tepurature operated spring to open & close it.
thats an excellent idea Lucky. I cant add much technical info, but i was just thinking of the auto choke on my datsun, it runs the choke shaft closed till the strip inside heats up with power from the alternator. I rekon it would be possible to mount one of these units to one of the choke shafts, leave the linkage in place and wire it to the ignition switch via a relay.
I rekon a good source would be an old 4cyl car auto choke, maybe off a ford escort or an early opel or something. The hardest bit will be a mounting bracket and the linkage.
There is no reason it won't work.
Another thought, are there any other mikunis that allready have an auto choke that maybe use similar choke shaft fittings...???
man,,
would think that a big strappin' fella could just push the darn lever over,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
but, go to auto salvage yard, find dodge import, 4 cyl, early 80s -- mikuni downdraft was the carb of choice, all with small strong electric choke solonoids. just have to make a bracket and wire it in. be sure is well grounded,, so as not to find hot carbs tossing the bike in a heap on restarts .
Will be putting on my 40mm CV a-la- Harley style soon, together with nice "less to go wrong" manual choke.
Hopefully a single simple carb will also mean less to go wrong, we'll see...
Will post my findings on the single carb performance, good (maybe) or bad (more likley) as I find them.
To add insult to injury after this trial I plan to try out two
CV's off the old 450 Honda bomber. Beats modern bikes...
See ya
G 8)lyn
You will loose performance with a sidedraft carb(H-D) compared to the stock downdraft. There are other downdrafts, ex. Venture/Vmax.