Author Topic: My California 1100 will only run on choke.  (Read 593 times)

Offline life member

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My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« on: April 19, 2021, 05:34:57 PM »
My California 1100 will only run on half to full choke. The minute you shut the choke down it immediately stalls. It has been sitting a while but the gas doesn't smell stale. It's carbs are set for Colorado 6000 feet and it is now at 2000 feet.  Any help certainly would be appreciated. I'm pretty sure I ran it long enough for the engine to be warmed up. Many thanks for your help.

Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2021, 05:40:59 PM »
Delorto Carb jets are probably plugged up solid, it's nit a big job to drop the float bowls and clean the jets.
I just went through it with my Eldorado that had been sitting for a year.
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Offline cloudbase

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2021, 07:24:44 PM »
A plugged jet has been my experience as well.

Offline Canuck750

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 07:37:58 PM »
Partial blocked idle jet will do that, if not removed and cleaned the idle jet can become blocked and its near impossible to start the bike

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 07:37:58 PM »

Offline leroy_can

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2021, 09:26:21 PM »
 You say it was set for 6000 but never said if it had ever ran properly or at all at the new altitude. As the others said check for obstructions in the jet but if someone put smaller ones in or turned the screws in too much it may need adjusting as well. Also the larger volume of fuel in the tank stays fresher than the small quantity in the carbs and just the act of removing the bowls to check the jets will also allow fresher fuel to refill them.
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Offline larrys

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Re: My California 1100 will only run on choke.
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2021, 08:08:55 AM »
Gunky carbs. Time for a general take apart and cleaning.
Larry
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