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Throttle Spacers - Remove throttle sloppiness

43K views 175 replies 63 participants last post by  Jaypee 
#1 ·
A customer of ours turned us on to these spacer kits that were originally designed for the Ducati Panigale. They remove the slop from the electronic throttle. We put together a quick video of the install on a customer Thruxton R to show how easy it is. They definitely work on 7/8” bar models (Thruxton R, Street Twin, Street Cup and Street Scrambler), we are waiting to confirm whether or not 1” will also work.
Video: https://youtu.be/4gmlnHPLUro
Product link: https://www.ajcyclesny.com/product/throttle-spacers-triumph-throttle-by-wire-models/


I apologize if already a thread on these, I searched and nothing came up.
 
#2 ·
#4 ·
I installed this after work today and love it. Takes about 10 minutes (I have lane splitters and had to remove it, but that's about 45 seconds worth.) You'll scream when you see what's in the package - two small plastic rings shaped to the stops in the throttle mechanism and a tri-wing bit I didn't need - but it's a Ducati part so I guess that's the deal. The throttle feels so much more natural without that slop in it.
 
#15 ·
Received my kit from A&J Cycles yesterday. instructions that come with the kit are very good with excellent color pictures. install takes 10 min tops. I have to say this is probably one of the most satisfying mods I have done to my bike thus far. Throttle is tight with absolutely no play whatsoever. if you are on the fence about this upgrade, just do it.
 
#16 ·
I'm confused... (nothing new there!), but what exactly are people trying to do when they "get rid of the slack on the throttle"?
I know exactly what it's doing, but given that at anything other than idle the throttle is loaded by the spring, the slack only exists when you're not touching the throttle. What is it that people find disturbing about the slack and are prepared to pay $50 to avoid? Is it just the fact it exists, like an OCD thing or what?
 
#17 ·
First, the items is not $50. With shipping, $40 and some change at least here in the US. Has nothing to do with OCD. Go out and move your throttle around at the fully closed position. There is at least 4 -5 mm of play and rattle in the throttle mechanism at full close. These kit takes all that slack out. i will say after riding the bike today, it sure does make blipping the throttle on down shifts easier. if you do not feel you need it, don't buy it. Life is too short. Enjoy your ride and stay safe.
 
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#18 ·
OK, well that's $54 plus shipping for us Aussies (which makes it about $120 from the US), but apart from niggling about the price, this still doesn't answer my question.
When you blip the throttle you're going from 2% throttle to 20% for a moment. Do you find you're having to push the throttle back against it's stop for some reason when you blip? I still don't understand when you would ever be pushing the throttle off, which is the only time the slack comes into play.
Perhaps someone can post a link to video showing what they are experiencing?
 
#19 ·
The only other bikes that have a zero play drive by wire throttle is the Aprilia's. I sold my Tuono for the TTR and I got used to the zero slack throttle so I put the kit in my TTR. I like it mainly cause it makes taking off easier and blip throttle down shifting easier as well (as mentioned). It is just a feel thing is all. If you do it, make sure to take the first few corners easy because your right hand will be used to taking up the slack first (unconsciously) and with the spacers the minute you touch the throttle it's going, lol.
 
#20 ·
So you're saying people completely close the throttle coming into corners, then have to take up the slack again when they want to pull away?
I suppose that makes sense if you tend to actively close the throttle completely like that. I guess I never do that because I'm never completely off the throttle on corners, just feathering it.
OK, thanks for the info. I was genuinely wondering why people might care about it :)
 
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#24 ·
I'm going to have to walk around a showroom. My 2018 Street Twin has no feel of cable slack at the throttle, perhaps due to the strong return spring, BUT nothing happens for the first three or four mm of throttle movement from zero. Is that the "slack" people are talking about?
I've found it difficult to get used to the change from cable operated CV carbs on my old airhead to the throttle by wire setup of the Street Twin.
There is no change in the feeling of resistance at the throttle as I move from "nothing happening" to "go". After decades with carbs and cables it's weird.
 
#26 ·
The feel is much improved in several situations, not just taking corners. Upshifting through the gears is smoother, taking off from a stop is smoother, and blipping the throttle is smoother/more consistent.
@jsobell You are one of the smarter fellas around here and a mechanically inclined rider but you're being a bit obtuse on this one, Mate. Just buy this, install it, and if you don't think the feel of your throttle is much improved, you can say "I told you so" and I'll wear a dress on my next group ride. TRUST ME... every Thruxton R needs this part. Cheers.
 
#28 ·
The feel is much improved in several situations, not just taking corners. Upshifting through the gears is smoother, taking off from a stop is smoother, and blipping the throttle is smoother/more consistent.

@jsobell You are one of the smarter fellas around here and a mechanically inclined rider but you're being a bit obtuse on this one, Mate. Just buy this, install it, and if you don't think the feel of your throttle is much improved, you can say "I told you so" and I'll wear a dress on my next group ride. TRUST ME... every Thruxton R needs this part. Cheers.
What colour?:wink2:
 
#27 ·
Yeah, right. Firstly, I already got rid of the slack with a 1c screw I had sitting in the garage, search back about two years for details. I did it to test a fix for a friend who is a bit OCD [emoji16]
But... it makes no difference to anything other than OCD issues. Perhaps that's why people like it?

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
#33 ·
I've been riding for over 40 years, and have had dozens of bikes. One of the first things I noticed about my Street Twin was the play in the throttle... like having too much slack in the cable on an old-school setup. It's obnoxious, and while it's not too difficult to overcome, why deal with it if you don't have to? The spacers are a cheap fix, though there are even cheaper ones shown on YouTube.

OTOH, if the dead spot doesn't bother you, well, don't sweat it!
 
#36 ·
People just like to "fix" stuff, regardless of whether it's broken or not. The claims about improved throttle response have no validity, as anyone who works with bikes will know, and even the claims of reduced snatchiness make zero sense because there is no basis of fact and is a mechanical impossibility.

There may be situations where people have a strange riding technique where they keep forcing the throttle closed, then have slack returning to an open position, but I have never seen or heard of that, and have never had a customer complain about it.

So feel free to "fix" this issue, but please don't invent imaginary benefits and suggest I'm being obtuse for not buying into the ********.

Free play is in there to prevent a contaminate or mechanical issue allowing the grip to lock on, and to ensure the throttle returns via the spring. All mechanical throttle linkages should have the factory specified 4mm of play, and the fly-by-wire on the Triumphs have the same.
People haven't complained that the cable systems suffer from these issues and would benefit from 0.1mm slack, giving huge gains in rideability, faster acceleration, more sex appeal, and all the other total tosh being discussed here. I wonder why that is? [emoji4]

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#37 ·
People definitely do the same with cabled throttles as well, removing all the slack out of the cable or buying "spacers" or alternate throttle tubes, filling the cable channel with something, etc, to make the throttle more "responsive". I wouldnt do it, but its definitely not uncommon. One of the most common mods for sportbikes are "race" or "quick turn" throttles that decrease the total pull of the throttle by 3/4's so you can get to WOT with less movement.

https://www.g2ergo.com/store/g2-quick-turn-throttle-tube/#prettyPhoto
 
#40 ·
Er... well yeah... except that has nothing to do with throttle slack. Larger throttle tubes are to increase the rate of throttle, and you still have the same need for cable slack (unless you're an idiot and like having a stuck throttle).
Throttle slack on cable bikes is not a fault, it's a requirement.
 
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#38 ·
Hello All, i owned a 2017 Street Twin.My throttle hand would be buzzing for a hour after the ride. I traded in the Street for a T120. I no longer have the sleepy hand syndrome.The Street Twin throttle had alot of side to side as well as back and forth movement .The service manager and lead mechanic asked me is there anything wrong with the bike S.T,i said "great bike but i did not want the buzzing in my hand".They asked me what i felt was the issue i stated they sloppyness of the throttle. I tested the throttles on all the show room models examples Harley,triumph's you would be surprised the difference's. I was told i could add vinyl shims ,o-ring's to the end to eliminate some of the unwanted not kneaded slop.I didn't try suggestions i would have i just traded up to the T120. I have no issue anymore with my hand .The T120's have a larger diameter (fatter)handle bar that helped too. So to the non believers of eliminating slop "your a wrong Rat".Safe riding all..
 
#55 ·
I would add that going from a 7/8” bar to a heavy 1” bar would be most of your vibration solution. Another aspect to the T120/100 is that they have thick isolation rubber that is in between the 4 bolts that hold the bar down. Congrats on your 120!


2017 T100- OHLINS TR 634/FKS 215, LSL Flat Tracker handlebars, Booster Plug, STS (Smart Turn System)auto turn signal cancelation, Modified comfort seat with Supracor, Chrome Grab Rail, Triumph Barrel Style Hand Grips, Aluminum Oil Filler Cap, Cibie 82240 Light unit, Triumph Center Stand
 
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