So it sounds like you're backing off the enricher entirely pretty much immediately after starting then using the throttle to keep the RPMs up for a little while, say 30 seconds, until it's able to idel on it's own?
That's the way I was taught to do it, BUT I looked it up, and it looks like I am partly wrong. This is directly out of the S&S carb manual. I underlined #7 below.
ENRICHMENT DEVICE NOTES
Enrichment/fast idle pickup tube located directly below
fast idle plunger, part #11-2343, is pressed into carburetor
body and must not be removed.
See Picture 38.
CAUTION - Removal of enrichment/fast idle pickup tube
from carburetor body may cause irreversible damage to
carburetor.
Plunger nut, part #11-2344, plunger spring, part #11-2340,
and plunger, part #11-2343, may be removed for cleaning
purposes.
If air cleaner backplate is removed, be sure fast idle lever
and enrichment plunger are engaged properly when
backplate is reinstalled.
See Picture 20.
S&S enrichment system operates on manifold vacuum.
If throttle is opened while starting engine, vacuum will
be reduced and enrichment system will not function
normally.
A. Cold Starts
1. Open fuel petcock.
NOTE - When motorcycle is not running, fuel petcock/shutoff
valve should be turned off to prevent possible leakage should
needle and seat not seal properly.
CAUTION - Gasoline leaking past inlet needle may flood
engine causing oil contamination and engine damage.
WARNING - Gasoline leaking past inlet needle may flood
engine and surrounding area creating a potential health
and fire hazard.
2. Prime engine with one or more squirts from
accelerator pump. Ambient temperatures below
60
°
may require increased priming, up to 6-7
squirts depending upon exact temperature and
carb jet size.
3. Pull fast idle lever, part #17-0327 or part #17-0329,
to fully raised position.
4. Turn on ignition.
NOTE - Some engines, especially those equipped with
magnetos, will start easier if given two prime kicks BEFORE
ignition is turned on. For reliable starting, magneto should
be equipped with kill button to disable ignition for prime kicks.
5. With throttle closed, kick engine through or
engage electric starter.
6. If engine fails to start immediately, crack throttle
enough to barely open butterfly and continue to
kick or engage starter until engine fires.
7. After engine starts, position lever to maintain rpm
at approximately 1000-1200 rpm with throttle
closed. Lever may gradually be pushed down to
closed position as engine warms. Engine should
be warmed sufficiently to idle with fast idle lever
off in 1 to 4 minutes or after a few miles of riding.
NOTE - Operating engine with fast idle lever up for excessive
time will result in fouled spark plugs. Push lever completely
down as soon as engine will run smoothly without enrichener.
B. Hot Starts
1. Open fuel petcock.
2. Turn on ignition.
3. With throttle closed, kick engine through or
engage electric starter.
4. If engine fails to start immediately, open throttle
slightly and continue to kick or engage starter
until engine fires.
C. Troubleshooting Tips - engine will not start:
1. Fuel supply exhausted.
2. Weak or no spark - discharged battery, worn
points, faulty condenser, ignition module, coil,
spark plug wires, or magneto.
3. Plug gap too wide - S&S uses .025" to .030" plug
gap on engines with points type ignition and
stock coil. Electronic ignitions and high output
coils can run wider plug gaps.
4. Improper ignition timing - Worn or poorly
maintained mechanical advance units sometime
stick in advanced position causing hard starting,
kick-back and erratic idle.
5. Tight tappet adjustment. If solid tappets are
adjusted too tightly, valves may not seat properly,
and the loss of compression may prevent the
engine from starting.
6. Improper idle mixture and/or engine idle rpm
setting. If idle mixture is set incorrectly, throttle
plate must be opened farther with the idle speed
screw in order to maintain idle speed. This
reduces manifold vacuum and makes the
enrichment circuit less effective. See
“
Adjusting
Carburetor - Idle Circui
