I just picked up a 91 cbr1000 and when starting in the morning it will not hold idle without choke until the temp needle moves a good amount, like 5-10 minutes and the temps here when i start it are about 70 degrees now. im worried when it gets colder or i use it in the early am. The previous owner said he recently had the carbs cleaned and the bike runs smooth after warming up.
Is this common or is there an issue i need to deal with?

 

Might be worth increasing the idle speed slightly with the idle adjustment screw, found behind the mid-panel just below the fuel on/off selector switch. Increase the idle slightly and see how it goes from there.

My bike starts fine in the summer months, buy in the winter I have to adjust as above.

Hope this helps

 

Common : full choke / healthy battery always required

- like the Hawk man says - maybe tweak the idle up a notch

 

Are you sure the choke cable is adjusted properly?
Raise the tank and open the choke lever fully. You will see the choke cable and carb lever move all the way to the end of the choke cable out casing. If it doesn't do that then adjust it so it does. You should get a decent amount of revs from a properly adjusted choke after a few seconds. Once you're riding you should be able to shut the choke completely after about two minutes, even at near freezing temperatures.

 

thanks ill try the idle speed. once warmed up it holds idle fine and under choke it runs ok cold it just takes like 10 minutes at idle to warm up enough to close the choke

 

^+1

But I have to add that the pilot jets may be clogged. It sounds like she starts with the enrichners (choke) but when they are slid back in and the low jets should be doing their job, the are failing. Try a carb/injector cleaner and see if it helps. If the cleaner doesn't help. you may need to pull the carbs and clean out the jets, Common problem for a bike that has been sitting but the cleaner should help.

Welcome to the forum