Throttle/Idle cable adjustment help
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Savage, MN
Throttle/Idle cable adjustment help
OK after install of new bars a while back I never got around to adjust the throttle/idle cables after so today I decided to make sure it good according to the service manual specs. I set the throttle cable as they say in the manual but when I got to the idle cable it said to lengthen the sleeve untill the cable housing just touches the spring. Heres where it got weird I have no spring on the idle cable as the manual says so I am unsure if thats a problem or is my idle fine as long as when I go full throttle the throttle returns to idle? I tightened the idle cable about half way on the idle cable adjuster just to make sure it snaps back quickly but it may or may not be correct because I can't get it to spec without the spring on there? Suggestions? Leave it should be good? Did dealer forget to put it on there? Maybe newer models don't have spring? Oh btw bike is a 2011 fxdwg. Thanks guys!!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: western north carolina
That spring they are talking about is at the throttle body end of the cable.Look from the front,behind the air cleaner. You should see the cable,at the bottom of the vinyl housing you will see it installed in a nipple(cast part of throttle body) with a slot in it. The spring is inside that nipple. To be honest it looks like the cable internal core without the cover on it. Thats on my 08,thinking the 11's would be the same. Hopes this might help.
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Savage, MN
Yeah thats where I was looking but did not see a spring, so your saying its not visable being inside this nipple? From the service manual drawing its shown visable and states to tighten untill housing just touches the spring. By housing I am guessing the support housing holding the idle cable in place. Do I need to worry about this as long as my throttle is returning to idle position? Thanks for the help
That spring they are talking about is at the throttle body end of the cable.Look from the front,behind the air cleaner. You should see the cable,at the bottom of the vinyl housing you will see it installed in a nipple(cast part of throttle body) with a slot in it. The spring is inside that nipple. To be honest it looks like the cable internal core without the cover on it. Thats on my 08,thinking the 11's would be the same. Hopes this might help.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 30
From: western north carolina
The spring is visible,to me it just looks like it's part of the cable. What I did was adjust the cable to the extreme in both direction,while watching the reaction till I was able to tell the spring from the cable.
I think that it returning to idle without any catches is the main issue. I have read where some has taken the idle cable off and just run the throttle. Maybe someone will comment that has more knowledge about this.
I think that it returning to idle without any catches is the main issue. I have read where some has taken the idle cable off and just run the throttle. Maybe someone will comment that has more knowledge about this.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Savage, MN
Thanks, I was kind of figuring as long as its coming back to idle on its own your good to go. I believe thats all the cable is for really, maybe I am mistaken? Just wanted to make sure that the idle cable is just for the reason I spoke of above before I find out otherwise the hardway lol. I do see the spring now in the housing you spoke of but it does not move. I tried bringing it back to fully loose and re tightening as the manual states and I could not visually see anything different loose or tight? So I just set the idle cable midway and called it good for now till i hear otherwise. Thanks
The spring is visible,to me it just looks like it's part of the cable. What I did was adjust the cable to the extreme in both direction,while watching the reaction till I was able to tell the spring from the cable.
I think that it returning to idle without any catches is the main issue. I have read where some has taken the idle cable off and just run the throttle. Maybe someone will comment that has more knowledge about this.
I think that it returning to idle without any catches is the main issue. I have read where some has taken the idle cable off and just run the throttle. Maybe someone will comment that has more knowledge about this.
Last edited by WG2011; Aug 14, 2011 at 08:31 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 624
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From: Reading, PA
Obviously you found the spring but here is a picture anyway. With an open air cleaner it is easier to see. It is right under the tank, the arrow points to it. If you loosen up the idle cable adjuster fully you will see the end of the cable separate from the spring. As you tighten up the adjuster the end of the cable will move towards the spring, then contact it. I found that when I followed the manual, the idle cable was too tight and there was no free play in the throttle. You want like an 1/8" inch of free play in the throttle grip when it is closed. If you turn the wheel to the right, there should still be a little wiggle room. I adjust the throttle cable per manual, then tighten up the idle cable till no slack, then back off to get desired free play.
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From: Savage, MN
Thanks, yeah thats the spring I was seeing but it looks a bit different in the service manual drawing so that lead me to believe it was a different spring. Thanks for the advice I adjusted it very similar to what you have writen although I know it may not be correct I like my throttle with very little play.
Obviously you found the spring but here is a picture anyway. With an open air cleaner it is easier to see. It is right under the tank, the arrow points to it. If you loosen up the idle cable adjuster fully you will see the end of the cable separate from the spring. As you tighten up the adjuster the end of the cable will move towards the spring, then contact it. I found that when I followed the manual, the idle cable was too tight and there was no free play in the throttle. You want like an 1/8" inch of free play in the throttle grip when it is closed. If you turn the wheel to the right, there should still be a little wiggle room. I adjust the throttle cable per manual, then tighten up the idle cable till no slack, then back off to get desired free play.
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