[MaSnaka]

You can live without it...but start-ups are so much easier with it. It's stays hot as long as the ignition is on otherwise the spring/coil will close the choke plate. Mine doesn't interfere with my air cleaner so I prefer to have it hooked up. I have a wire comming off the voltage regulator, that little silver box about 3"x3"x1" that stays hot as long as the key is on. Without it like jh said you just need to keep it rev'd until it warms up. I did close off the vacuum feed for the choke as it was sucking air. I believe that can be used instead of electric but it draws hot air off the exhaust manifold which I dont have.

John