Sticky Throttle

[Panthers_Den]

Ok, my throttle seems 'sticky'. it's grip doesn't rotate smoothly, instead it sticks at times. is this normal for the ST's? my friend rode my bike and even commented on the same thing. he thinks the throttle cable may be dry and needs lubrication or the linkage chain(?) i think he said... Could that be the issue? if so, is there an easy way to lubricate that cable or the linkage piece?

[katrider]

I rotated my throttle assembly to fit my GenMar risers, rotating the cables from top to bottom, and noticed a 'tightening' of the twist. The grip did not return freely. So I know that the throttle is supposed to return to its stop easily and freely. I fixed mine by adjusting the rotation by about 15°. I'd say if you haven't moved yours, then it needs lube. I recommend TriFlow, a teflon spray lube that will not gum up...

[Panthers_Den]

no, mine's never been moved. it's been like this since i bought it from that guy, I just never really put tooo much thought into until i mentioned it my friend then he rode it and commented on the same thing and said it shouldn't be like that.

so how do i go about lubing it? do i have to dismantle it or did they place little connections along the way that allows you to lube it without removing it? prolly gotta take it apart huh? hehe

[Diderich]

A different bike I bought used (CBR) had a sticky throttle too. When I dissassembled it, the inner mechanism was rubbing against the outer case of the throttle. When I took the lid off the handle housing doohickey, the throttle worked perfectly. Why would honda make such *****, I wondered. That's when I found out that the clip ons are supposed to be STRAIGHT, not curved inwards. I didn't notice because both clipons were bent the same way.

So what I'm saying I guess is that you can check that there isn't any binding in other parts of the mechanism besides the cables first. They are a little easier to get at.

Have no fear though, taking it apart isn't hard. I'm absolutely giddy about the decision to add quick disconnects to the fuel lines...I should retro fit them on all my bikes.

[ST-ern]

My mechanic installs a washer somewhere in the housing to deal with just this problem.

Didn't see him do it so can't give you any more info.

[Panthers_Den]

do you talk to him alot? maybe you could ask him and see what he says? ^_^

[SaddleTramp]

On 2005-10-19 20:16, Panthers_Den wrote:
Ok, my throttle seems 'sticky'. it's grip doesn't rotate smoothly, instead it sticks at times. is this normal for the ST's? my friend rode my bike and even commented on the same thing. he thinks the throttle cable may be dry and needs lubrication or the linkage chain(?) i think he said... Could that be the issue? if so, is there an easy way to lubricate that cable or the linkage piece?

My son noticed that on my '02, too. Checking it out more close (never bothered ME ... grin!), it feels as though there may be too much tension on the idle cable (throttle return), and that's what causes the roughness in opening the throttle. It sure snaps shut like a mouse trap. I'm going to adjust over the weekend and see if it's better.

[Sprint955T3]

My friend's Sprint ST 03 had a sticky throttle. I would just refused to move every once in a while. We took the bar end wieght off and added a washer and put the bar end back on and it fixed the sticking issue. Not sure why but it did. He does have heated grips on his. Not sure if that will make a difference.

[katrider]

On 2005-10-20 19:14, Sprint955T3 wrote:
My friend's Sprint ST 03 had a sticky throttle. I would just refused to move every once in a while. We took the bar end wieght off and added a washer and put the bar end back on and it fixed the sticking issue. Not sure why but it did. He does have heated grips on his. Not sure if that will make a difference.

Ah...maybe this is where the mechanic placed the mystery washer mentioned by ST- ern??

This brings to memory mine sticking here, at the bar end. The rubber grip is on a plastic sleeve and can move down to interfere with the bar end. Try:

a) Forcing the rubber grip a little further up the handle towards the flaired end, away from the bar end. If no relief...

b) Placing a thin but large diameter washer between the bar end and the mounting point. Be sure it's tight, you don't want to lose that fully machined stainless steel bar end!!!

[jefftarlton]

My RS was doing this. The plastic throttle tube had notches where the aluminum throttle assembly had worn it. I found a replacement at the local bike boneyard. I wish I knew what it came on originally.
Besides lubing the cable, smear something slippery on the bar where the throttle tube rotates. I use ordinary grease. Make sure the bar doesn't have any burs sticking up where the tube rotates.
Make sure the end of the grip has been carved away enough that it doesn't drag on anything after a grip change.
The throttle should pull itself shut at full lock both directions. You should be able to hear the butterflies click closed. If not, don't ride it until you can.