Simple cruise control

[Justin B.]

I remember a long time ago somebody (can't remember who) made a simple, but elegant, cruise control for BMW Airheads.  It replaces the throttle tension screw and has a lever that you can flip one way and lock the throttle and flip it down and tension is removed.

I bought a used throttle assembly (for the master cylinder) and lo and behold one of these old gizmos was installed!    I have ordered some material and I'm thinking about building a few.  Won't be very many as they are somewhat labor intensive to machine by hand and I doubt the volume would be there to justify a CNC job.

I'll shoot some pix later and post the one I "built" but was wondering if anybody else has one, or has ever used one.  I rode around a while today testing my 1st attempt and it works as designed but I'm so used to riding around (almost 30 years) with the tension screw snugged down it almost felt like a PITA!  I do know, however, that there are a number of folks out there who don't like/are uneasy having the tension screw snugged down all the time.

[NC Steve]

Justin, I recently added one to the Guzzi and it works like a charm.
Mine was sold under the name "Vista Cruise" which is the biggest company dealing in these things, although other brands are also available.
Mine was $20 at the local Honda shop, and I've also seen them on Ebay.

Still at work right now, but if you want, I can post pics later this evening.

[Justin B.]

I remember buying a "Vanda Cruise" for my '78 /7 but it was more than a throttle screw replacement, I never could get it to work correctly, and went back to the screw!  A pic would be nice to see if it was the same as what I've got here.

[crazy_dan]

the vista cruise are still out there, but to get one for your bmw now costs $35 for the "universal" model, but then you've gotta buy a bmw adaptor kit for another $11.50, and that only works for 85-97 R and K models.   i think i'll stick with my thumbscrew myself, however i am curious to see how that rig you're talking about works justin.
 [smiley=3stooges.gif]

[NC Steve]

I paid 20 bucks for a new Universal 2 months ago, but I guess YMMV.
Mine also does not have the "lever/arm" hootus that goes over to the friction screw hole, which was in itself optional on BMWs and required the removal of a small plastic plug. We just put one of those on SCJJ's Britta for the 1st time 2 weeks ago.
My understanding is that the lever isn't necessary on most bikes, although may provide some additional strength. So far, in appx. 2500 miles, the lack thereof has been a non-issue with me.

Here's a couple pics of my Vista, which is basically a split ring that puts friction on the throttle tube with the tap of a small thumb lever.
Tap down to engage, up to release: very simple, although some minor initial adjustments may be necessary.....

[Justin B.]

Steve, that's totally different - it looks more like the "Vanda-Cruise" I bought years ago.  The one I am talking about actually screws into the hole the throttle tension screw installs in.  I'll post a pic tomorrow...

[Jon_P]

so the screw threads in and there is a piece that slides in and out of that screw that puts the tension on Justin? sounds cool

[Justin B.]

This is what it looks like.  With the lever hanging straight down pressure is removed from a Delrin rod that runs up through the assembly.  When the lever is rotated up it presses the Delrin rod against the throttle locking it in place.  In this position the throttle can be operated just as with the tension screw cranked down but with a thumb flick it is taken out of the picture...

[montmil]

Pretty clever idea.  Does the cruise control lever, in the "off" position, interfere with the fuel tank in tight maneuvering? Would the unit work on bikes with the shorter and lower euro bars?

[Justin B.]

There is no interference on an R100 with US bars, don't know about R65 with Euro-bars so I'll check.  I tried this on the '82 Junkyard LS (it has the low bars) and there is no tank (or other) interference at all.

[NC Steve]

This is what it looks like.  With the lever hanging straight down pressure is removed from a Delrin rod that runs up through the assembly.  When the lever is rotated up it presses the Delrin rod against the throttle locking it in place.  In this position the throttle can be operated just as with the tension screw cranked down but with a thumb flick it is taken out of the picture...

Gotcha Justin, I see what you're talking about now, and have seen something similar myself.
Here's a couple pics of a similar rig for an H-D, although the lever flips horizontally, not vertically.
Also, an "el cheapo cruise control" too. I've heard of folks using small bungees to create the necessary drag, and correctly sized rubber O-rings between the grip and throttle housing are another cheap option.  

[Justin B.]

I have talked to people that use the "O-ring" cruise and it is pretty much like setting the throttle screw, but about $10 cheaper!  

OK, I have ridden around about 100 miles with this thing and I think I can proclaim the following:

If you like your throttle to smartly return under spring pressure around town when you release the grip but would like to lock the throttle in place out on the open road then you will probably really like this little gadget.  However, if you (like me) have gotten used to the throttle screw keeping the throttle wherever you put it and you have to "manually" roll out of it then you might like it but will probably think it a PITA until you get used to it.  Me, the jury is out - I didn't hate it as much today as I did yesterday...

If somebody would like one I have enough springs to make 5 of them and I guess if I charge at least minimum wage for machining them I'll take $25 plus shipping...

[samc]

me! me! me!