Sticky throttle ('95) but not the cables

Hi folks,

Preface: I did search here for "throttle cable" and "sticky throttle" and read through some of the threads that seemed likely to bear fruit, but nothing came up like this.

I've been putting off dealing with my sticky throttle but now's the time to do it (carbs are off, easy access). My throttle is quite sticky, both rolling on and rolling off. It's less of a problem rolling on, but I really want to address the stickiness while rolling off. I had assumed up 'til now that the problem was due to some binding in one or both of the draw or return cables. The other possibility was some binding in/around the grip itself, perhaps on the side where the rubber butts up against the rest of the controls on the bar.

I mentioned in my other thread that I've got the carbs off, so I took this opportunity to have a look at the throttle now that it's disconnected. What do you know, it rolls off and on with a light touch, as if there's no problem whatsoever. Of course, the cables are disconnected so there's no return spring to automatically reset it to "idle" position. It's definitely not the cables, and not the grip itself.

The sticky throttle definitely "feels" as if there is some binding in the cables themselves, but I'm very confident that's not the problem. I'm willing to be wrong, but the evidence of that nice, easy twist says it's not the cables.

Any ideas/suggestions of what to look for/tweak/lubricate/adjust?

 

I was going to suggest the bar end weight coming up against the grip, but you say the grip is fine. Can't offer much else, execpt possibly recheck the cable routing.

 

^ wut he sed aboove, you could take apart the switch housing and spray some quality lubricant in there and rock the throttle :rockband: other than that, if they move freely (push-pull) when the carbs are off, its your routing.

 

I hadn't considered the routing. Now that the cables are off the linkage, that may have freed up whatever was binding inside the cable(s) near the bottom end. It looks like the next step is to lube the cables anyway. Thanks guys. Like I said, I'm willing to be wrong.

 

Routing is CRITICAL, and factory manual is best source for info. I think your problem is related cables having insufficient freeplay in return cable.

 

I was just reading through your thread and can't say as I may be of huge help, but at the bottom of the thread is a link to the following thread from last year. pedis noted he tried cleaning and lubing all that you have mentioned to no avail and on a whim tried squirting some carb cleaner down the throttle bodies and VIOLA.

Might be worth a try..........

http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthre...Sticky-Throttle-Thread-(throttle-drum-anyway)

 

Thanks, zoom-zoom. I have my carbs back now so I'm going to check the return at the throttle drum and see if I have a problem like his. Although, I'm relaxing with my wine and about to start a Netflix-something-or-other, so I'll probably do it in the morning. If I discover the source I'll report back here.

 

+1 to cable routing

 

I checked the return rate on the throttle drum and it's fine. I didn't let it "snap" back, but it returned immediately when I stopped pushing it open by hand. My problem has to be routing. Everything's apart right now while I do a bunch of clean-up and maintenance ahead of reinstalling my carbs. I'll lube the cables and check the routing to see what's up.

 

Does your bike have stock clip-ons or Heli bars by chance. When I installed the Heli bars on my 97 VFR750 I think I remember there being a suggestion of routing the throttle cables differently from stock location. Very long time ago mind you, so I may be wrong. Just a thought.

 

Stock, actually. I've got some spray lube. I'll attack the cables and verify the routing. I anticipate that lack of proper maintenance (hangs head in shame, embraces enthusiastic maintenance in penance) is the source of the problem. So, with the carbs off and no tension on the cables they run smooth and free, but once tightened up the dry cables bind on the dry cable liner. A little lube should fix it right up. The only reason I haven't done it already is because of a sick toddler.

 

I know what you mean when it comes to a sick toddler. My kids are 4 and 7 and man, when they get sick it is like a world ending event. When they were younger it was even worse because they don't understand what being sick is, they only know that they hurt and want it to stop. Hope the little one feels better soon and life is back to normal (ish) once again.

 

I got my carbs back and I'm overdue to come back here and follow up. Executive summary: the throttle cables were adjusted too tight, causing them to bind.

In the end, I:

* lubed the draw and return cables thoroughly,
* confirmed the routing was correct,
* confirmed the throttle drum itself was not sticky, and was returning snappily.

I reassembled the works and in reattaching the throttle cables to the throttle drum, I determined that the previous installation (done by a shop) had set them too tight. That's where the binding was coming from. I was able to reproduce (and then fix) the stickiness by setting them too tight, then backing off the tension (no slack, but not so tight either.) The grip now snaps back when released, and I even find that rolling on is smoother now too.

Thanks for the help, guys.