Tickle or Choke

[Barnsey]

Dear All,

  My C15 No 2 has a concentric carburettor with both tickle and choke on it.

When starting from cold, should I use both tickle and choke?  Tickle but no choke, or choke and no tickle? 

  BR,  Ian

[rhyatt]

sometimes - depending on if it is cold from overnight - it may need both tickle and choke.
but if it doesn't start , i find to remove the choke and 1/2 throttle it will go.
I may have flooded it
so - basically , try all options - sorry , couldn't be more precise

[Barnsey]

Everyone has different ideas.  One site I looked at said no throttle until after it catches. 

[JulianS]

A matter for experimentation to find out what works best for your bike?

[limeyrob]

From cold I would say always tickle, but how much is a tricky question. Its primes the engine whereas the choke needs suction to enrich.  But you may need the choke to keep it running as the tickle is a one off.
I usually tickle then two slow kicks to get the fuel in the cylinder, then the hard kick and ready to put the choke on if its spluttering.
It really is each to his own.

[V500]

Yep, experience of each individual bike tells you what you need.
What I never understand is "I removed the choke". Why would you?

[iansoady]

Indee, and a lot of people just leave a big hole in the cap to wreck the mixture!

[Barnsey]

Once I figure out what each bike needs to start, should I be able to start it on demand?

  I have visions of riding to the cafe for a coffee, and then not being able to start the bike in order to ride home. 

[V500]

If you can't "start it on demand" then all you have is an expensive ornament..

[limeyrob]

"On demand"??  It a 60 year old BSA, you negotiate and reach an agreement. Then it starts

[rhyatt]

These old bikes have their own needs and it takes a period of usage to get to know these procedures.
And, sadly, as the weather changes the needs change.
Choke on or off
Tickle or not
Tdc or anywhere
Also , if not started for a while, they inevitably will wet sump a bit making it a bit more difficult to rotate the engine

Just go out to the shed and start it and try different things , but the most important is empathy.
If tickling and choke combination don't result in a start , then you've probably flooded it , so choke off , wide open throttle and kick again,
Mine responds well to that

[Barnsey]

SO many variables!   I am thinking of putting together a table of all the things to try so I don't miss any combinations. 

[rhyatt]

just think - you'll get used to 1 way of coaxing it into life then bingo it changes !!

[iansoady]

Yes, much depends on the ambient temperature. My Electra needs the air slide plus generous flooding at temperatures in the low teens but the air slide suffices in the 20s.

[limeyrob]

I also think a lot depends on the idle screw setting. If the idle circuit mixture has been set before the engine is fully warmed up it will be too rich which will allow it to start and run without the slide.  If its set correctly on the idle mix its likely to need 1/2 slide for a minute or two to stop it spitting back.