Hitchcocks Forum

Can anyone help me out with an explanation of the manual bistarter please? I'm assuming it's a choke but is it electrical or mechanical? The owners manual says to leave the manual bistarter on for a couple of minutes in cold weather to keep the revs up and avoid stalling but when I let the lever go it springs back to it's standard position.

What bike are we talking about? I've never heard of a bistarter! Even the spellchecker doesn't know what it is!
REgards, Mark

Sorry, it's a 2012 Electra EFI DL.

could a manual bi starter be the kickstart? sparing the sprag?

Hi MickB,its the choke!you have to keep your finger on it,otherwise it just springs back as you have found.Can't say I have had to use mine very much even in the winter and certainly not at the moment.Have you still got the Bosch plug in?Cath

My factory workshop manual says of the Bi-starter "When the lever is pulled down, a cable pulls up the spring loaded piston in the throttle body. Helps in providing additional air into the engine during cold start, for better idling rpm till the engine working temperature is attained." Still not sure what it really does. Would have thought that its purpose was to enrich the mixture, not give increased airflow. As noted, as soon as you let go of the lever it has a strong return spring, so it only works as long as you hold it. Despite the manual, in cold weather and I mean minus 15C here, I do not need to hold the bi-starter on once it has fired up, but it does need a couple of minutes warming up before riding. Cheers TrevorCH

Thanks everyone, I now think I know what we're talking about. But I have no experience of it! Sorry!
REgards, Mark

Thanks for all the comments, I think it's clear now. A bit confusing when the manual says to 'press the clutch' when starting with the electric start and at the same time hold the manual bi-starter. It's not possible unless you've got three hands or an understanding wife. Yes Cath, I've still got the Bosch spark plug fitted; are they not very reliable?
Mick.

My 2011 Classic EFI manual refers to the possible need to depress and hold the manual bistarter for a minimum of one minute when starting in temperatures below 10 c. I've used it rarely and for only a few seconds each time. Never had a starting problem - touch wood.

Hi Mick,know what you mean as to having 3 hands.Have long fingers so can just about do it.As to the Bosch,have had a few probs with mine,they are horrible to gap so have changed to NGK BPR6ES.Our friends across the pond are using these and so far Stan is romping along like a good un.Am on 3000 miles so far so am doing well considering the poor start I had.We are having a lot of fun!Cath