Yeh it still has a choke lever
But when you start it now the flame from the pipe (must be a leak somewhere for some reason

) melts what is left of the pillion seat
1. do you still see/smell fuel if you start the engine (when completely cold first thing in the morning) and just use the throttle to hold the engine at the same revs that you would with the choke lever?
2. and does it run funny/misfire if you open the lever up when the engine is already warm?
1. No. It wont start unless I have SOME thottle on, (no choke) and it certainly wont idle
ASIDE : My 12 has a "hiccup" before 2,500rpm anyway, needs a Muzzy advancer. Already has Microns, PCIII and BMC's. Standard bikes run "rich" to smooth the power out.
2. If I leave the choke on I can SMELL the fuel once it is warm and (obv) it is idling high. The bike also feels "fluffy" as opposed to its normal "crisp" self. Stops the bike jerking on little throttle movements too, just the factory "rich" tune.
From what has been said before I would guess it is the top butterflies being closed, if I remember to I will see if I can follow the cable from the choke this arv to see where it actually goes.
ANd yeah I call it the "choke" and have a great laugh that I have an EFI bike with a choke.