Factory Starting Procedure?

Hi everyone,
Just registered on this site and have owned my 82 Maxim 650 for almost a year. My father is an automotive instructor and very familiar with motorcycles so he has been giving me lessons on adjusting the carbs and various other pieces. My bike, however, did not come with a owners manual and I was wondering if anyone know exactly what it says as far as the recommended starting procedure (how much choke? How long? etc.) Anyway, I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

Depends on where you live...

For me:

01) Sit on bike.
02) Put bike in first gear, pull in clutch and rock the bike back and forth until it rolls smoothly.
03) Put bike in neutral
04) Slide choke to full
05) turn kill switch to on
06) turn key to on
07) thumb the starter button
08) reduce choke to keep revs at a decent idle speed
09) tighten helmet strap, fix glove cuffs
10) ride away gently and put the rest of the choke off at the next light or two

I adjust the choke from full on to full off gradually so that the idle speed doesn't get too low. I don't sit in the driveway to do this - I ride the bike softly until the choke is full off.

 

why do u put first gear before u start?

just curious if i'm missing something!

 

I put it in first - bump it back and forth - this gets the clutch plates freed up and puts less weight on the starter. The warmer it is the less it matters.

BEFORE I start the bike I put it back in neutral - step 3.