Choke Lever Operation

[Mike V]

All,
Wanted to run something by everyone to get some information. During my choke cable assembly process yesterday I noticed something I felt was a bit strange.  Still in the learning process for this bike...I noticed once the cables were hooked up and adjusted, while applying the choke thumb lever at the handlebar location I noticed the lever would not stay at the "full choke" location and wanted to creep back to approximately the 1/2 choke position with no "notch" or "detent" position. Is this correct? (81 R65). I disassembled the lever mechanism and noticed a small ball bearing pressed into the bottom side of the thumb lever that seems to ride along a recessed gutter section in the housing. Is the lever supposed to have a detent or ratchet notch restriction in it to stay in the full or 1/2 choke position?

[Bob_Roller]

The 'choke' lever, at least on my '81, won't stay at full choke it springs back a bit , you need to hold it there.

There should be a noticeable half choke detent .

[Mike V]

Thanks Bob, I must have a worn housing since I don't notice any detent even at 1/2 choke, although the lever seems to drift back and hold it's position at the 1/2 point. I'm guessing there should be a small port or notch for the ball to fall into which I can't notice in my housing after a close inspection yesterday. I'm thinking I can live with this.  Thanks again for the reply.

[montmil]

My '81 R65 plays nice with the choke lever. The '83 R65, well, you gotta hold the lever in the full choke position. Both run so well that I ain't gonna mess with it.

Monte

[Mike V]

Solved this choke lever detent problem (dummy). I often wondered what this little curved metal piece with 3 holes was lying on the floor months ago. Had this strange suspision it was important and couldn't get myself to throw it in the garbage.  Glad I didn't.

#6 on the attached link.

 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0364&mospid=47851&btnr=32_0739&hg=32&fg=10

[nhmaf]

Yup, that could do it!

My 82 will tend to stay on full choke (but not always) if I really pull it over, but mostly it eventually creeps back to half position and snaps/stays there until I close it.   My 88 R100RT behaved the exact same way.

[Barry]

You guys with the handlebar mounted choke have got it easy being able to pull in the clutch and operate the choke lever with the same hand.

I could use a 3rd hand to operate the choke lever on the air filter housing. It does stay put though.