The 'choke' or more correctly called 'enrichners' will work if there is fuel in the carb. If the carbs are empty , it is possible they will not start as the fuel will not flow on sleds with the taller Invader style fuel pump unless the motor supplies a vacuum to the pump.
These are the pumps with the anti-siphon valve built onto them and keep the Invaders and Intruders from flooding out when the motor is not running, This can happen because the motor sits at or below the level of the fuel tank and it can siphon the fuel into the carb, which if the needle and seat are worn or dirty can allow fuel to flow into the motor and flood the motor, and exhaust pipes until the tank is empty.
Once this happens, you get all sorts of problems from exploding mufflers, to plugged mufflers, soaked spark plugs that won't fire,torn crank seals (no lubrication), corroded carb boots, and out of gas.
The primer bypasses the fuel pump (and anti-siphon valve) to shoot fuel directly into the intake allowing the motor to start, generate the needed vacuum and fill the carbs with fuel.