[davepl]

You might try removing the cable, holding it in a manner that it will gravity feed, and shooting WD40 down the cable and letting it soak.

In case you've never run a manual choke before, there are two steps (when cold):

1) Pull the choke all the way out
2) Turn key
3) As soon as it fires, you push it in about 1/2" or so, based on feel to where it runs the best

A carb does this automatically with a vacuum powered "choke pulloff", but you have to do it by hand. So it's not a set it and start, it's a set it, start, then reset it.