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So I searched, then searched some more. I did find a couple dead threads that described the same sticky throttle issue I have, but there was never any resolution.
Just about two months ago, I swapped bars, and installed a set of 12" West Cost Tbars. Slingshots to be exact. When I went to re-install my three month old HD nostalgia grips, the throttle kept hanging up. I checked the thumb screw / "throttle lock" and it defiantly wasn't that. Cables are lubed, and smooth. Bars were cleaned up with some fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the powder coat to metal transition. The clam shell switch housing seemed to wiggle a little, but I finally got that to sit properly. After much frustration, I decided to try the stock grips, and managed to get those to work smoothly.
So now, I got tired of the flat stockers, and decided to go with a set of PM Merc grips. Again, sticking, and I now get a grinding sound when the the throttle cables are tightened to spec, and the clam shells torqued to spec as well. I have removed them several times, and looked for burs inside the throttle channel on the clam shell, and the grips are defiantly not bottomed out on the bars.
So here is a picture of the throttle... Clearly a little grinding happening here. Also, the clam shell is still a little wiggly.
Any ideas?
Last edited by Maxxsmart; Mar 2, 2016 at 08:28 PM.
I had that problem with some Avon grips. I happen to have a needle file that fit in there nice, and just filed on the grip to remove the extra material.
The OD of the grip is too big for the ID of the clam.
The clam being loose? Not sure, I try to tighten the upper and lower screws so there's an equal pressure/gap,, they don't work so good when one side is tight first,, maybe the bars are a bit undersize and ya need a wrap of tape(?)
Most likely cable adjustment. I have had the same issue as have several others on here. I chased this on my Road King for months before I said screw it I'm putting the stock bars back on. I had the throttle rolled on and it was stuck (showing my brother what it did before I tore it down) and when I backed off the cable it snapped closed. Back the adjustment of until it snaps back and then sneak up on the proper adjustment checking as you go.
What's the actual OD of your bars, measured with a caliper?
I was wondering about this yesterday... I don't have a caliper to measure it. I have actually gotten the clam shell to sit properly a couple times. The main issue is the grinding. I was thinking of taking a very small about of material off the outer edge of the bottom clam, but don't want to do that until all other possibilities are exhausted.
I was wondering about this yesterday... I don't have a caliper to measure it. I have actually gotten the clam shell to sit properly a couple times. The main issue is the grinding. I was thinking of taking a very small about of material off the outer edge of the bottom clam, but don't want to do that until all other possibilities are exhausted.
If the clamshell won't tighten, that suggests an undersized bar, which would also explain the marks on grip.
If that's the case, a simple fix might be to put some paper shims between the clamshell and bar. Or aluminum from a beverage can, if you prefer. Easy enough to try, anyway.
The clam shell tightens all the way down until both surfaces fully seat against each other, but rotates slightly, so your suggestion is a good route to try. I have some aluminum duct tape I have for work, so I guess I'll wrap that around the bars once or twice and see if that fixes the issue.
Overall, I have been very unimpressed with the slop and play in the throttle tube on this bike, even with the stock bars, and grips. Since day one, the wiggle was the first thing I noticed. Got the bike home, and noticed the throttle would stick, and return real slow.
I am a bit surprised by the bars possibly being out of spec... West Coast seems to have a reputation for high quality craftsmanship. Now that I think about it, The damn clam shell wiggled a bit on the clutch side too. Yeah, I guess the bars might be a little small than 1"
Rather than wrapping, I'd make a separate shim for the top and bottom. Don't want anything getting squeezed into the gap when tightening the clamshell, holding the two sides apart.
Bars being out of spec? Maybe they made them slightly undersized to allowed for the added thickness of powdercoating, and the coating was a little thinner than usual. Just speculating.
Most likely cable adjustment. I have had the same issue as have several others on here. I chased this on my Road King for months before I said screw it I'm putting the stock bars back on. I had the throttle rolled on and it was stuck (showing my brother what it did before I tore it down) and when I backed off the cable it snapped closed. Back the adjustment of until it snaps back and then sneak up on the proper adjustment checking as you go.
This happened on my wifes sportster after converting to FL front end-Backed off on adjustment nuts and all good.
Rather than wrapping, I'd make a separate shim for the top and bottom. Don't want anything getting squeezed into the gap when tightening the clamshell, holding the two sides apart.
Bars being out of spec? Maybe they made them slightly undersized to allowed for the added thickness of powdercoating, and the coating was a little thinner than usual. Just speculating.
Good point... And to add to it, I smoothed out the powder coat when installing. I may have made it worse, but I like your idea about the shims.
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Yerp... Another sticky throttle thread
