Starting an early bike with slider carbs

[leswaller]

I have seen lots of info on the cold starting technique for bikes with Bing diaphram carbs and chokes.
However can anyone tell me the recognised technique for cold starting a bike with the earlier slider carbs and no chokes.
Thanks in anticipation
Les

[Barry]

I haven't had a BMW with slide type carbs but I thought they had "ticklers" to flood the carb. In which case after flooding I would crack the throttle just a touch and then start away.

[montmil]

I haven't had a BMW with slide type carbs but I thought they had "ticklers" to flood the carb. In which case after flooding I would crack the throttle just a touch and then start away.

Much like the Amal metered leaks on my old T100C. The gasoline always left me with a certain scent.

[Barry]

The gasoline always left me with a certain scent.

...certainly did with me too and a stain around the tickler button.  I think the Bings might be a touch more civilised than Amals in having a separate overflow outlet.

[Lucky_Lou]

The gasoline always left me with a certain scent.

Napalm in the morning ??
In cold weather i used to start my C15 with my hand over the air intake (Funnel type).... back in the land that time forgot.Obviously no good on a twin.
Lou

[montmil]

...and a stain around the tickler button.

 
[smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif] Barry, only a true-blue motorcyclist would understand this without having impure thoughts.

I salute you, sir. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[leswaller]

I tickle the carbs religiously, no stains - separate overflow - just wet patches on the floor  
but in spite of this the engine takes 5 or 6 goes on the electric start before catching. Once it is warm I dont have a problem
Les

[montmil]

Les, Do you mean 5-6 revolutions of the engine before firing or 5-6 attempts on the button?

And what year and model Airhead are we discussing?

[Barry]

tickle the carbs religiously, no stains - separate overflow - just wet patches on the floor  

Do you always fully flood the carbs ?

It's 37 years ago but on my Triumph Bonnie with Amals I remember I would know roughly how many seconds it took to flood (say 5 seconds) and if the temperature was a little warmer mentally count some lesser figure in an attempt at partial flooding say 2- 3 secs. It started pretty easily on the kick start with those settings.

[leswaller]

Montmil
We are talking about a '72 R60/5, and yes, 5 or 6 attempts on the button. Incidentally timing (including centrifugal advance) and mixture are OK.

Barry
Yes, when cold I flood the carbs until they overflow. I also have a Velocette MAC with an Amal and have mastered the black art of starting that. The difference being of course that you can put your hand over the air intake  whilst cranking to suck fuel in before attempting to start the engine
Les

[Ed Miller]

Don't the older Bings have chokes?  Amals did, though most people (including some previous owner of my bike) removed them.

If the temp is below freezing my Triumph can take several kicks before it will stay running.  I generally kick it through once before turning the key on for another kick.

[leswaller]

Ed
No chokes on the old slider Bings, and of course due to the air intake configuration no way of strangling the air
Les

[wilcom]

As I recall my R50/2 from years ago had a strangle choke on the air cleaner, nothing on the carb except the ticklers

[tvrla]

The R60/5 also has accelerator pumps. Blip the throttle for an extra shot.

Kick it through two or three times (key off) to get the oil flowing and loosen things up, hit the kick start and it should fire right up.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Ed,

the 750 & larger /5's & /6's had CV Bings.  For some reason BMW decided to keep the slide carbs on the R60's.