I just bought my first bike a 1996 Sportster 883 Custom. went for my first ride and laid it down going slow in gravel i picked it up and it looked fine so i took off and it drove great then stop to get food for half an hour, left and the throttle was sticking bad it wouldn't release and l laid it down again. i broke the rear brake pedal out of the sprocket cover and some oil spilled out. i need some help diaging the throttle i dont know where to start.

 

 

Honestly, maybe you should consider taking a Riders Training Course. At the very least, it'll give you confidence and make riding more enjoyable, at he most it could save your life. Lastly, Harleys are heavy bikes and take getting used to.

 

it wasn't my inexperience the throttle was stuck wide open

 

Of course not.

 

Um , same as others, take the course and then worry about the bike

 

First check the little throttle lock screw and ensure it is loose. Check your grips for any breaks, bends, or dirt.

I recommend taking the motorcycle rider safety course if you have not already. Its not a matter of experience or lack of. For instance, I had been riding for ten years before I finally took the class and learned a few things.

 

Sounds like the throttle grip was jimmy'd in the first incident... that led to the second incident. Time to get your sporty to a doctor for some proper first-hand diagnosing and repair. Sucks it happened towards the start of the warm season.

Try and enjoy the refresher class!

 

What my boyfriend failed to add-in in the paraphrased original post, aside from capitalization haha, which didn’t seem to matter at the time but apparently it does is that I was riding with a friend who stalled out in front of me which was not known at the time and to avoid running into her I cut it way to fast on gravel and that’s why the bike was laid down originally. The second time it was laid down because in the 20 mile ride from previous destination to the next, it rode fine. When I jumped on it from there is when the fun happened. Started up great, started riding and about 5 minutes in my speed was decelerating when I hadn’t intentionally done so and when I went to pull over to check it out it re-accelerated and the only option I could think of at the time to stop was to lay it back down which is what I did or go into a cement wall, the intersection or a poll so I feel like I choose the best option I could have in that scenario and was not seriously injuried.

I have already taken the class and I don’t know about other classes but how to handle gravel was not included nor what to do when your throttle does the opposite of what it is supposed to.

Thank you for the the helpful tips from the ones that answered the original question.

 

Bummer of a first day on the new bike for sure. I would disassemble the throttle to check for anything binding; cables, throttle tube on handlebar, inside throttle clamshell, etc. Also, like others have stated, make sure that tension screw on the underside of your throttle isn't turned in too far, preventing the throttle from returning to idle.