Triumphrat

Alpha

is it just me or is the TBS throttle very strong. All of my mates bikes are light touch controls but with my TBS you have to grip the throttle in a death like grip. After 9 hours riding yesterday my hand and forearm muscles are cramped.

Can I do anything to lighten this control?

I have cleaned the throttle control, greased the bar and checked the cable routing. It must simply be the carb springs.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Dave

TBS-cafe

Hi Alpha,
To be honest, I've never even thought about this issue on my 98TBS, which leads me to believe that there is something "wrong" with yours. Have you tried giving the cable a lube? Other than that and what you've done, I don't know what to tell you. Please keep in mind that I am a scrawny guy with small hands (don't say it!), so it's not my brawn.
Let me know how you make out. All the best.
Mark

__________________
"Enlightenment cannot be found on a full stomach" Doug Scott

Greaser

What kind of cable lube are you using? Do you have a proper cable luber? DO you do it often enough? THat will make all the difference.

__________________
The picture says 1000 words, I want the negatives.

BadMouth

Poor lubrication would affect movement in BOTH directions, not making it any harder to hold the throttle open during cruising. Does it still snap closed when you release it?

I get the cramped hands too. I have a Throttle Boss (similar to the Throttle Rocker pictured here). They cost around $12.

It allows you to loosen your grip and press on the throttle with your palm.
It helps, but my hands still get cramped after a long day.

I've been told that wider diameter grips will help with cramping, but I haven't gotten around making that change yet (I intend to).

I hadn't considerd the strength of the spring. I would think you could safely swap in a weaker one as long as it's strong enough to snap the throttle closed when you let go.

Alpha

cheers guys. The throttle snaps closed and as I have checked the routing I ruled out a sticking cable. I havent loob'ed the cable so I suppose its an option, but its solely the amount of effort that I have to put in to open the throttle. Its seems completely over the top compared with other bikes.

Cheers

Dave

jimmyj900

I think the throttle spring is extra stiff too, so you're not the only one.

I know I've got a throttle rocker around here somewhere...

Jim

__________________
Note: This post may have been altered without the knowledge or consent of the author.

http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0Head%20Stuff/

Greaser

Geez, you think??? No more complaining about cables until you LUBE IT!!!!

I don't even want to think about how red your drive chain is...

__________________
The picture says 1000 words, I want the negatives.

Alpha

thanks guys.

The chain iis gleaming. As is the rest of the 8 year old mint condition bike. Its not even done 3000 miles yet and looking after it is my hobby.

Im new to this so things that are obvious to others may not seem obvious to me. Lubing a chain is real obvious but lubing a cable contained in a plastic sleeve that simply pulls a spring held mechanism doesn't seem so obvious.

ill give it a go, but given that it snaps back effectively i would be surprised if it made much difference to what is a really strong throttle twist

Regards

Dave

Slinky

I never thought of my Thunderbird throttle being heavy- no more so than any other bike.

The odd thing about these bikes is that they only have one throttle cable. Most bikes these days have a two cable system- one to open and the other to close. Maybe they fitted a stronger spring to make up for the lack of positive closing.

__________________
"You can't fly with the eagles if you keep scratching with the turkeys."

Alpha

i remember when i removed the carbs to clean them (after the bike had sat for 4 years unused). Removing the throttle cable was a pig of a job, given that the spring is so strong. Getting it moved up isnt a problem, but holding it in position for any length of time whilst I fiddled removing and then refitting the cable end left my fingers very sore.

I will try lubing the cable, but I believe its the springs.

Thanks

Dave