Dear Brick Pilots,

I had a bit of an unpleasant surprise the other day. Just as I was thinking nice thoughts about her reliability and congratulating myself on getting her to be so, she surprised me by jamming the throttle open in the middle of the morning traffic.

I was lucky to be able to get to the kill switch in time and pull over into an empty car park A quick inspection showed that pushing on the throttle bar (idle screw) I was able to close the throttle and clear some kind of a mechanical interference. I have no idea what caused the problem.

When I got to work I played with the mechanics but could not repeat the problem. However, I felt that the throttle feels a bit gummed up. It does not close shut with a snap even after spraying lube at all things that move.

I feel that I have to take the throttle handle apart and inspect the handle bar mechanics.

The question is: what is the best lube to use on the throttle linkages and handlebar mechanics and is there anything tricky about servicing that part of the throttle mechanics. Also, is there anything I can service/do when I have all of that apart.

Ned,
Sounds like a wire strand has broken in your cable. This will jam intermitantly, I would change the cable myself
Ajays

Hi Ned I "like" the sound of Ajays suggestion but as for the handlebar mechanism I have had that apart quite a few times and it is pretty straightforward just keep the alignment of the handle and the cam the same but it is marked.

Once you have it apart you should be able to check for any binding in the cable and confirm exactly where the problem lies.

As for lubrication the choice is yours but a light grease should do the trick.

Throttles jamming open can ruin a chaps underwear
glad it caused no harm.
I'd deffo look into Ajays wire strand idea plus associated areas
As an aside
My throttle sometimes stays open because the rubber grip has drifted
and fouls on the end weight.
When I played around with it I found I could also move it to wards the
switch gear.
not always apparent until you take a closer look.
I even deliberately forced this fault on a recent long motorway ride to allow
me to give my hand a rest at times.

The cheapest throttle lock is an O ring between the rubber grip and the handlebar switch.
A lot of K100 have a threaded hole on the bottom of the throttle handle. This is to install a screw (and spring) acting as a throttle lock.

Ned, do you still have an old type of throttle cable? One with an adjuster about a foot from the handle? If you have a newer type (you should, there was a recall on the earlier ones, but my bike still had one) you should have the adjuster at the grip. You could release the cable at the throttle bodies and get a feel for them. Lots of WD40 on the springs and shaft should do.

Just a thought the WD 40 will remove old rubbish grease and contamination but when dry it is not a very good lubricant so consider some better lube. If you want to keep with the spray on route I suggest chain lube might be the go as it leaves behind a good lubricant.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Thank you all. It looks like my weekend will be taken up looking after my girls. The K needs her throttle serviced and the GW requires her ignition done All I need is a GF to bring the beer and keep me warm and I am set Unfortunately she-who-must-be-obeyed will object at the GF thing

Seriously, I hope to get the goldwing on the road and get the K ready for the next week.

I will have to examine the cable closely and try to wash any gunk that may be around. I will need to get another cable even if it may become yet another spare. Maybe clutch cable as well, just in case.

I am not sure which cable I have as yet. I am ashamed to say that I like ride in temperatures like 10C but hate to work until I can feel the sun on my back. So, I may just wait for a bit.

The chain lube is a good idea. However, I thought that cables on our machines have Teflon or some such "solid" lubricant. No matter because even Teflon can use some assistance.

Thank you all.

I was thinking on the throttle grip mechanism not in the cable, I have read that we should not attempt to lubricate our cables due to the coating already there.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Ned,
As Ausies walk upside down. I suppose it is logical to fit rear shocks upside down...!
He knows what I mean.
Ajays

I have to disabuse you of that myth Ajays it's the blood rushing to your head, it is you guys in the northern hemisphere that are upside down, the Aussies and Kiwis are on the top of the world. Astronomical maps of planets show south at the top.
Regards,
K-BIKE

K-BIKE wrote:... Astronomical maps of planets show south at the top.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Thats because astronomical telescopes shows thigs upside down, the thruh is that earth poles are horizontal and as earth rotates every one is up and down, we are just riding a carrousell.
Best regards
JAP

Ajays wrote:Ned,
As Ausies walk upside down. I suppose it is logical to fit rear shocks upside down...!
He knows what I mean.
Ajays

Ok, but we like it, God's own we call it. If you are not careful I may start posting all the pics of well used beaches, pubs and surf even in winter.

ReneZ wrote:Ned, do you still have an old type of throttle cable? One with an adjuster about a foot from the handle? ....

Not sure... can you tell without removing the tank?

Can I mention that I'm sick and tired of this fine weather?
Cloudless days, 10 to 20 celcius.

I can't stop riding and catch up on maintenance.

I hate it!

Yes, I had a real dilemma on my hands... which girl should I ride Panzer girl or the Goldwing... speed or comfort. May I say that I like them both.

blakey wrote:Can I mention that I'm sick and tired of this fine weather?
Cloudless days, 10 to 20 celcius.

I can't stop riding and catch up on maintenance.

I hate it!

Life's a bitch and it was a balmy 1 degree when I left for work this morning.

As for the throttle cable Ned if the adjuster is on the handlebar then you should have the new type but if not it will be a few centimetres down the cable which is accessible without removing the tank.

Ned, normally you can feel the adjuster before the cable disappears under the tank. An other indication is NOT having an adjuster at the grip.

ned ....just a thought ...i have used a good lubricant for years .in this type of application ..it actually comes in a gell form and is generally whiteish to clear , it is promissed not to go rancid , has a slight bit of teflon base and is as slippery as anything .....you can get it from "RS" (electronic spares place ) known as "super lube" it isnt particually cheep but awesome stuff

charlie99 wrote:ned ....just a thought ...i have used a good lubricant for years .in this type of application ..it actually comes in a gell form and is generally whiteish to clear , it is promissed not to go rancid , has a slight bit of teflon base and is as slippery as anything .....you can get it from "RS" (electronic spares place ) known as "super lube" it isnt particually cheep but awesome stuff

Thnaks mate... I will try it.

When my throttle started binding I discovered that loosening the bar end weight a little cured it.
Just a thought.

Robbir