Has anyone used a Vista Cruise throttle lock on a Thunderbird Sport ? (or any other bike/throttle lock) Any comments or suggestions ?

Not a throttle lock as such, but the Throttlerocker is great for resting your grip on long trips. cheap too, around $10 I believe. It's just a piece of molded plastic that takes 2 seconds to fit/take off.

T'Weed

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The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

Yes I have installed a Vista Cruise throttle lock on my TB, but please note I don't have the Sport. So I don't know if there is any material difference.

I had to modify the lock itself and the twistgrip on the bike to make it fit, using a Dremel. But it works nicely and is reliable and safe.

If you want more detail, let me know. I'll take some pics.

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Chris

"Panniers can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need."

How safe can any type of throttle lock be? Once your hand leaves the throttle, by choice or not, how does the throttle disengage? I use the throttle rocker myself to relieve wrist stress.

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- Jerry V. - Northern NJ

Taking one hand off the bars is inherently unsafe so the general idea is keep it to a minimum. I take my thottle hand off only to flex it and reduce the pins and needles I get after a time or to adjust clothing that I can't reach with the left hand.

The throttle lock allows you to that and maintain a set speed - I would argue that means the bike is more stable to ride one-handed than under engine braking.

I have "tuned" the grip on mine so that it holds speed for about 5 to 10 seconds and then gradually falls off, as the vibration and pull of the return spring closes the throttle. That way I'm not encouraged to ride one-handed for any length of time.

Disengaging the lock (a flick of the thumb) closes the throttle instantly.

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Chris

"Panniers can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need."

Dennis,
How have you been? Got your last msg. and looking forward to a MS ride.
I have been looking into the Throttle Locks but none seem to offer one that fits the TB/TBS throttle setup. The Vista Cruise unit that Chris refers to in his reply on this thread is the one I think I could use but I am interested in exactly which unit he purchased (they offer at least two) and what specific mods were necessary. Perhaps he will see this and respond with additional info and/or pictures.
I also use a throttle rocker and it is very effective but on the longer hauls I would like to shake the sleep out of my right hand and the Lock would be ideal.
See you soon.

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Joe
Live like its your last day here.

This link shows a picture of the model I fitted. I prefer it to the universal model because to my mind, it looks a lot neater.

Example of Vista Cruise

1) When you remove the rubber grip, you will see the plastic throttle control underneath has longitudinal lands which ensure the rubber grip doesn't rotate without turning the throttle. The lands closest to the electrical switch block (eg Run/Kill switches) will need to be cut off and sanded smooth, otherwise the lock won't fit round the control.

2) On the lock, the right-angled bracket that looks like a U needs to be cut off at the angle so you are left with a tab. That allows the lock to fit flush against the switch block.

3) Because the plastic throttle control has a diameter greater than 7/8", I had to gently sand the inner part of the lock so that it would fit snugly around the throttle control. Make sure you keep it "in round" and do it a bit at a time - you don't want to make it too loose.

4) Set the lock so the thumb-switch is right ergonomically for you and then drill a small hole through the tab and into the switch block. Screw in a small self-tapper to hold the lock and stop it rotating with the grip.

5) Before replacing the rubber-grip, you will need to cut down the flange on the inner end of the grip, using a sharp knife otherwise it fouls the thumb-switch on the lock.

6) Adjust the lock per the instructions so that it holds the throttle when locked but allows the throttle to quickly close when released.

I'll try to take some pics but I'm off to Blighty next week so it might be a little while.

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Chris

"Panniers can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need."

Thanks Chris,
The description you offered is as fine a piece of detailed technical writing as I have ever seen. Are you perhaps a pro tech writer?
I am convinced that the best way to go may be with the unit you describe. I am curious however about the outside diameter of the throttle in the grooved area. Is this approximately a 1" dia. and therefore a 1" handlebar vista cruise unit would work just as well?
In any event, our thanks for the valuable info.

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GOD BLESS
Joe
Live like its your last day here.

Thanks for the compliment! In common with most imports to the US, I'm a computer programmer.

I don't have a definitive answer for you about the 1" alternative. I bought the 7/8" model without knowing if it would work, and then made it work.

I assume you are thinking that it would save having to cut and sand the lands on the plastic throttle control?

If so, this is my concern: the lock is hinged and therefore that internal diameter may not be perfectly round. It is possible that when the lock is released and the throttle starts to close, one of the lands could catch in the niche created by the hinge action and thus prevent the throttle from closing completely.

Just a thought....

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Chris

"Panniers can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need."

Chris,
Thanks for response. Yes, I was thinking of saving the time/effort to modify. Although I agree with your analysis of potential hangup, I think my setup is easier to work with. I have pulled the rubber grip back and the plastic grip that I exposed closest to the switch housing is not like yours (I have a 2000TB) but is a smooth diameter. It does have a few raised lugs but they are perpendicular to the axis of the grip and actually bite into the flange area that you recommend cutting with a knife. The plastic grip in the area of interest mike's at 1.025" but this is probably smaller that the inside diameter of the unit for the 1" bar.
Bottom line - I think it will work if I follow your directions as far as they apply to my grip etc.
I certainly appreciate your input.

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GOD BLESS
Joe
Live like its your last day here.