Thanks. I'll give it a try

 

Trail Blazer was correct. My 2001 Big Bear started this choke cable thing too, the first time it got really cold and I wanted to plow snow. It hung up a little bit back during deer season, a percursor to what was to come. I should have heeded that warning and done somthing about it then and there, before it got REALLY cold.

The only thing I would add, is you may be thinking of this as a traditional choke, like a butterfly valve. It is not at all like that, it is called an enrichment valve. You can unscrew it from the carburetor, where the cable comes in. You will then pull out the valve plunger with spring. Don't attempt to separate any of it. I took an old toothbruch and WD40 to clean mine up. Then, I had another round brush, that I used inside the bore. I rinsed it all out inside with WD40 again, then swabed it out with a clean Qtip swab. I then sprayed more WD40 into the bore, sprayed the valve down and inserted and tightened. So far it seems to work well. I also used the WD40 at the top, by the choke lever where the cable slides into the housing. Since I've done this it has not been REALLY cold again, so time will tell. There was a lot of gunk in there though, so I think I'll be OK. This is something I might do every year from here on. There appeared to be even some corrosion starting in there. I say, keep after it.

 

I know it took a me a little while to write back......every winter I have computer problems.....oh well.
Anyway, when I loosen and take the cable out of the carb, you say to pull the plunger and the little spring out. Is the spring going to fall out, or spring out? Are there any other parts that might fall out?
It has been kind of cold around here lately, so I haven't looked at it yet. Supposed to be closer to freezing temp on Sunday.
Thanks for the help,
Niz

 

Nothing will fall out, it will just pull out as one unit. Once you get it out, you will see how simple it is. It goes back in just a little trickier, but not much.

 

I did what you told me to. I unscrewed the cable from the carb and pulled out the spring and the plunger. It was easier than I thought it would be. Sure enough, there was a lot of gunk on the spring and in the bore. I sprayed the hell out of it with WD40, then swabbed the bore dry with Q-tips. I also sprayed the cable and the choke lever with the WD as well. The end result: So far, so good. It hasn't been too cold this weekend, but tomorrow's high is only supposed to be around 18. I'll check it out tomorrow morning. If it's going to freeze again, it will tonight. I'll post up again to let you all know if it's all good. Thanks for the info and the help. Later..........Nice job Tampa Bay!!!!! Yeah!!!!!

 

Figure I'd sign up and through in an update.. I have a 2001 BB 400 4x4 and it is beyond reliable... i just got done pulling everything and i mean everything apart on this machine with the exception of "splitting" the case apart" and replaced as many wearable items as i can and seemed it needed... needless to say only one shaft(starter idler gear shaft) had the slightest damage to it that i was able to clean up in my shop. all new clutches and one way bearings, new head and cylinder gaskets, new piston rings, new valves just because they were in the kit i bought, new brake pads and cable, i eliminated the choke cable and put in the "on-carb" pull choke and did a throughout cleaning of the frame and cooler along with a new paint job. all in all i might be getting a new machine here soon but this big bear will be around with me probable until i die. i never ever have any doubts with it and yet as a mechanic that works on everything under the sun i already have my doubts with a new machine. hope this helps anyone else that passes through these parts of the interwebs. take care and safe riding!