Black Smoke at Startup

TSDAWG

TSDAWG

Yes, it's mine.
Calendar Participant
I'm a bit freaked out by something that Lola is doing. (For those that don't know, Lola is my bike.) Since the winter chill and Lola sits in the garage unstarted for about 3 weeks at a time, she has a considerable amount of black smoke blowing out of one side of the exhaust every time I start her. It will blow out until she gets warm. I don't see it after that. What the hell is that? :confused: Have I blown a ring or is that just her disgust with the cold weather and having to be choked? It's time for her 5000 mile checkup, but can't wait to get it to them for them to tell me. HELP ME OUT BOYZ!
 
narow37

narow37

Angry Southern White Man
Thats just the enrichener if thats what you are calling the choke. best not to use it, just get the bike started and use the throttle to warm it up. anyone else?
 
Cobrafast1

Cobrafast1

Active Member
I'm not sure about the black smoke. Could be just from standing and bad vapor in the combustion chambers or a rich mixture from the choke.

Just how black is the smoke and how dense is it? Also, how long does it last after you start in minutes and seconds until it is clear again?

A puff going out at startup is not to be concerned about too much, unless it lasts a long time. My big block in the Cobra does that at startup, but goes away in about 3-5 seconds. It's just a rich mixture that puffs some soot.

If you have the choke (or enricher as Big Dog calls it) pulled up, then it will run rich and push black smoke. I alway start cold with it up, but as soon as it starts, I push it back down and control the engine with the throttle. That rich mixture will produce black soot and foul up the plugs too, if left on too long.
 
05chop

05chop

Well-Known Member
Black smoke out one of the pipes.Change sparkplugs first,if you still have black smoke out one pipe then check resistance on your plug wires that has the black smoke.Good cheap starting point. then move on to carb then intake. 05chop
 
TSDAWG

TSDAWG

Yes, it's mine.
Calendar Participant
All good advice. I have to "enrich" it. (What, Big Dog requires us to be politically correct cause you're not supposed to choke dogs? LOL) Anyways, must choke it when it's so cold, but I do just do so for a very short time, just to start. Yes, it's pretty dense for about 5 good wraps on the throttle. Then it clears out when all warmed up.

I'm also going to check out the plugs. I had what I thought to be a plug problem after a service in October. It was dieing and backfiring and running rough. First stop, I made sure they were tight and thought that maybe one of the plug wires wasn't on good. It's had some oddities out of that one side ever since. Like enough flame to roast marshmallows. (Remember that I have those REALLY SHORT pipes.) I bet that plug is fouled or at least dirty.

See...this website has some of the best fellas with the best advice. :whoop: THANK YOU MUCH!
 
Black Dawg

Black Dawg

Active Member
Instead of using the choke, try pumping the throttle twice (full throttle) then hit the starter. Like others have said, the choke really can foul the plugs quick. I've started my bike in mid 30 degree weather without issues and not using the choke (ever).

Also, be sure and always turn the fuel valve off when the bike is going to sit overnight.
 
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Chopper Dave

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
Thats what I do...just like Black Dawg said.......I give 3 full twist on the throttle when sitting for a period cold.....then just let her warm up for about 3-4 min. Once I started when it was 28 degree's out....I gave 2 twist of the throttle...then lifted up the enrichener just a little bit....once it fired....shut off the enrichener immediately....let warm up for about 4-5 min. then went out and froze my ass off!:roll: never had a problem with fouling plugs...
 
dogvet

dogvet

Banned
TSDAWG said:
Yes, it's pretty dense for about 5 good wraps on the throttle. Then it clears out when all warmed up.
Click to expand...

Try not givin the 5 good wraps of the throttle till it will idle without the enrichener on.
Once the bike is warm, you might want to see how much accelerator pump your using (the screw on the forward side of the carb throttle shaft). Screw the sucker down till the spring binds (this will shut down the pump completely) then back it out about 1-1/2 turns as a starting point.

:zz2cents:
 
Coolbreeze

Coolbreeze

Active Member
Lola's Fine. By the look of those pipes its probably jetted pretty fat. Try and stay off the enrichener. Love to see the ladies riden a sled of there own.

You go my Big Dog riden beauty.
 
lee

lee

Well-Known Member
without trying to sound a smart ass a choke and an enrichener are actually two different things - a choke cuts the air supply, hence the term choke, where as the enrichener pumps in raw fuel. Agree with everything said though - could be excessive use of the enrichener or the accelerator pump screw is too far out
 
TSDAWG

TSDAWG

Yes, it's mine.
Calendar Participant
I'm going to try messing with that accelerator pump screw. I know that it was turned accidentally at some point and I'll get it back to where it belongs too. There's probably a lot of this info that's going to help Lola. She'll be so happy that you guys care so much for her well being!

OK...I stand corrected on the choke/enhancer issue. Thanks. I didn't know that. See. This is why I have to keep you guys around. I just keep looking smarter and smarter with all the wealth of knowledge you guys give me!
:hi: :2thumbs:
Thanks for the ideas, info and comments! Ya'll are the bestest!
 
scubaman15

scubaman15

Well-Known Member
I was checking out your pictures and the bike is killer... would love to see some more , bet not a lot of riding going on right now in Oklahoma ..thanks also for answer on clutch , good to think it could be backing off a bit or not enough free play.:up:
 
TSDAWG

TSDAWG

Yes, it's mine.
Calendar Participant
scubaman15 said:
I was checking out your pictures and the bike is killer... would love to see some more , bet not a lot of riding going on right now in Oklahoma ..thanks also for answer on clutch , good to think it could be backing off a bit or not enough free play.:up:
Click to expand...
I got to ride yesterday! Thanks for the compliments on the bike. I just love my bike! There are some pics in the gallery, but I do need to get her cleaned up and get some new pics posted.
 
Chopper Dave

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
TSDAWG said:
I got to ride yesterday! Thanks for the compliments on the bike. I just love my bike! There are some pics in the gallery, but I do need to get her cleaned up and get some new pics posted.
Click to expand...
yeah T...lets get a few more with you on the bike! :whoop: HAAAAY!
 
P8RIOT

P8RIOT

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
Glad to hear Lola's feeling fine, T - the season's coming - hang in there! :D
 
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