Throttle resistance

[stockman]

My son was here this week and was riding the R65 when we went for a ride the other day. We rode about 60 miles and he thinks there is too much resistance on the throttle. I'm not sure how to judge this except to compare it to the other motorcycles we have and it is stiffer but the others are so different. One is fuel injected the other just has one carburetor. Any thoughts???

[montmil]

If yours is still installed, check below the throttle grip on the perch assembly... there is supposed to be a knurled screw that is used to hold throttle position during maintenance chores or can be used as a semi-dangerous cruise control. It has a nylon tip that tightens against the throttle's exterior tube and acts as a friction drag. Back it out a bit and check the action.

Perhaps remove the throttle twist grip and check for too much hardened grease. Simple cleanup and some white lithium grease. You remember, A little Dab'l Do Ya.

Monte

[stockman]

OK I will check for hardened grease and I do have the semi dangerous throttle set screw . But I think you are right. Isn't there a sort of bell crank type deal in there that the Throttle cable wraps around ? I'll check the Haynes manual. Thanks for the help

[montmil]

There is a gear drive under the throttle cable housing. There's also a tiny, difficult to see, easily skipped alignment mark where everything must fit for proper ops. Count gear teeth, take a digital photo, find the mark, all the above BEFORE you yank out the single throttle cable. Me know better... now.

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Not uncommon to get a stiff throttle, from worn gear teeth at the handlebar housing .

The throttle tube that goes over the handle bar that has the grip covering it, has teeth that mesh into what is called a 'cam' assembly .

The throttle tube is made from what looks like cast 'pot metal ', and in my case, these teeth wore quicker than the 'cam' teeth .

Replaced mine at around 60,000 miles .

[stockman]

Thanks Bob, and  Monte. Its pretty hot here in New Hampshire ,we only get this weather for a month or so give or take  so I'm waiting for it too cool off before heading out to the garage to check all this out. I didn't see a good illustration in the Haynes manual so I'll check the available micro-fiche on line. thanks again.

[weasel01]

I had a very stiff throttle when I first got my bike and now it's smooth and easy.

There wer 4 major issues with mine :

1)the throttle assembly on the handlebar had dried grease in it like stockman mentioned.

Fix: cleaned it out completely and replaced it with lithium general purpose grease.

2) dried grease und the the handgrip.

Fix: removed hand grip cleaned completely and put some lithium general purpose but that felt sluggish so cleaned it out again and applied a little bit of heavy weight motor oils as suggested by Justin B.
and it is smooth as silk and faster.

3: cables were the original ones and they were completely shot.

Fix: Replaced all cables.

4) o-rings in my carbs were deteriorated and retricking the arm movements.

4:cleaned carbs and replaced o-rings.

Very Very happy with my results.

[Bob_Roller]

Thanks Bob, and  Monte. Its pretty hot here in New Hampshire ,we only get this weather for a month or so give or take  so I'm waiting for it too cool off before heading out to the garage to check all this out. I didn't see a good illustration in the Haynes manual so I'll check the available micro-fiche on line. thanks again.

How hot, is hot, in New Hampshire .

From a low desert dwellers viewpoint, just curious !

Got to 107 F. today, here in Phoenix .

[stockman]

Today the temperature was about 85 with humidity about equally as high.
As far as the throttle goes I cleaned the assembly out , I only found some heaver looking grease along with some newer grease- cleaned it all out and put some lithium grease on. But its still a little stiff a little better maybe. Tomorrow I'm going to look at it again before i ride it. Maybe Ill go the heavy oil route , maybe gear oil?

[nhmaf]

I'd offer to ride over to meet ya but I gotta go north to visit my mom this weekend - if you're up for it maybe we can arrange a ride over to Curtis' BBQ in Putney, VT before the leaves fall..

[weasel01]

Gear oil stinks....

[montmil]

Thanks Bob, and  Monte. Its pretty hot here in New Hampshire ,we only get this weather for a month or so give or take  so I'm waiting for it too cool off before heading out to the garage to check all this out. I didn't see a good illustration in the Haynes manual so I'll check the available micro-fiche on line. thanks again.

How hot, is hot, in New Hampshire .

From a low desert dwellers viewpoint, just curious !

Got to 107 F. today, here in Phoenix .

I was thinking the same thing, Bob   Monte

[stockman]

yeah, nhmaf that's possible. I keep seeing similar vintage machines but there on the move so it never worked out that I end up talking to someone. The heat wave should be over by then.

[Ed Miller]

It's possible to experiment with different stages of the throttle system, to try to isolate whence the resistance comes.  Disconnect the cables from the carbs and try to hold the carb ends with one hand and turn the throttle lever, try just turning the throttle grip and gear without the cable attached, stuff like that.  I found one time that my junction box was causing the hang up, probably because I lubed it with something when it was new.  It seems like graphite or silicone would be good in there, but I'm not sure now.

[stockman]

Thanks Ed. Its a little better now but I will check that out too. Thanks