Idle Issues at Startup

My 1985 XJ700N has always had this problem. When it first starts it will idle for about 10 seconds and then die. I have to either start with the choke on or hold the throttle on a little. But when it warms up it idles fine, usually.

Is there any way to get it to have a good idle from the first start or is that just the nature of the beast?

 

There's a simple, but expensive fix: Newer bike with fuel injection!

It's the nature of the beast, man. Gasoline doesn't atomize as good when it's cold, so you compensate by adding more of it... Enter the "Choke". It's actually an enrichment circuit that dumps extra fuel in front of the butterflies.

I have to add 1/2 choke on the 750 and almost full choke on the 550 to start them in the morning, unless it's 100F outside.

also it helps to flip the petcock on PRI for a few seconds to make sure the bowls are full.

 

Start the bike with choke. Run with choke until you can back off the choke and it idles. Thats how you warm it up.

I start my bike before I put on helmet and gloves and sunglasses. By the time I am dressed the bike is ready to ride.

 

rubikscube, you've got a plugged Enrichment Circuit Well and it needs to be cleaned. Here is the write up on it.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=8918/

Hope it will help you.