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This is going to seem really backward, but the throttle on my new (to me) 2004 softail deuce is waaaay too sensitive and I want to make it less so. Seems that it's relatively difficult to even apply the front brakes without giving revving the engine. It's so easy to turn that I could do it with one finger and a thumb (maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much).
It only has 3890 miles on it, so I wouldn't think that there is something broken on it. Is this level of sensitivity normal? What is the best way to make it just a little more difficult to twist the throttle? Or should I just get over it and relearn my standard grip?
There might also be a thumb screw on the bottom of the throttle box on the bars. It's black and has 6 spokes. Once you adjust the cables you should be able to adjust that screw and make it tighter. Just be carefully, because too tight and it won't snap back to neutral and is dangerous.
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the first set of adjustments suggested by HogPro - aren't those to adjust the slack in the throttle cable and not necessarily the "friction" or ease in turning the throttle? From what I've read, there are two things to adjust under the rubber boot: the control cable adjuster locknut and the cable slack adjustment. Please keep in mind that I'm not a mechanic, I just play one at home. I do have the service manual for this, and I'm not following on how this will help... My service manuals just don't give details on using these for increasing friction in the cable, but to adjust for the proper amount of slack in the cable.
And yes, you may slap me upside the head if I'm just being totally oblivious about this whole thing.
mike
Last edited by unclerogi; Jun 1, 2012 at 02:35 PM.
Reason: clarification
I've read about those adjustments here on the forum and from what I read, it appeared that the main use was for some form of cruise control? But if I adjust it carefully and make sure that it isn't binding and stopping the throttle from snapping back to zero, that could work?
I'm at work and after posting my initial question, I continued to research for an answer. So I'll have to check if I have an external adjustment for that one... If not, from what I've read, this is located in the lower switch housing and would require me to disassemble it for adjustments.
The best way to understand how these adjustments work is to pull the rubber boots off and fiddle with them. It could also be the throttle lock adjustment behind the cables but from what you described above "way too sensitive" just loosen the cables a tad bit. Is there any free play on the throttle itself?
If someone put too much oil between the bar and throttle pipe (See below) that would make it really easy to turn. Lubed mine and got tooo much and its really easy to twist also.
Might remove the throttle pipe with the grip on, clean everything off and add a little lube. then re-install.
Or U might even try spraying a little degreaser at the top of the grip and the brake housing to see if it'd wash some out. U'd need to remove the grip to let it drain.
I'd check for the thumb screw under the hand controls first, you can play around with that while in neutral in your driveway and find a setting that feels good to you, but like a previous poster stated if you tighten too much it won't snap back to idle correctly so I'd just do all of your adjusting while in neutral at a standstill
At least that's how I did mine and now the have the throttle where I like it while still getting the "snap back" to idle that is safe
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