I changed my throttle and idle cables the other day. After I got the new ones on and everything back together when I tried starting my bike I cant get it to idle like it did or even at all. I took the bike for a ride and rode for a good 15 miles but everytime I stopped I had to give alittle throttle to keep the idle up so it would cut off. I tried adjusting the cables by the throttle as much as possible and I also adjusted the screw on the carb. But my problem is I need to screw that idle screw in farther but the tension spring wont allow it to go down any farther.

My question is can I take that tension spring off and just adjust my idle or do I HAVE to have that tension spring on there. I had no issues with the bike at all until I did this and now shes a pain in the ***. The cables are the exact same length so I know its not that either.

Also It sounds like its missing now, Im sure I flooded it out while changing out the cables so I cleaned the plugs but it still misses, so should I just replace the plugs too? They dont look bad but like i said its still missing.

Below is a pic of the screw and spring im talking about

 

I take it the bike is carbed?

 

yes it is

 

The cables are the exact same length so I know its not that either.?? Not sure what you mean by this. Did you adjust them to a procedure in the service manual or what? If you do not have that I can post the instructions and pictures

 

Yea I checked out the service manual but really thats no help. I know the idle needs turned up and the only way that I know is by turnin the idle screw in on the carb.... but I cant because the sprong on it wont let the screw go down any farther

 

Isn't that spring I notice "floating" on your idle cable not supposed to be in the cable guide higher up? It will prevent you from tightening the idle cable too much by creating some pressure between the guide and the cable cover.

The attached illustration is from an EFI bike, but if I remember well the carburetors were similar (it's been over 15 year since I adjusted/looked at the throttle/idle cables on a carbureted harley)

 

to answer one of your questions, NO you should not take the idle screw tensioner spring off....if you do then carry a screwdriver with you at all times.

 

Exactly this. Spring on cable should be inside of cable guide. Back off the screw till the shinier threads aren't visual. If bike ran well before you worked on it then it's something you did or didn't do.

 

alright thanks I'll give that a try and see if that helps. But I dont really think that will help the difference in idle??

 

that spring wasnt even on my last cable thats why I really didnt pay to much attention to were it went