Running rough, because of a pebble!

[Andy VH]

As many of us know, the throttle body (TB) balance on our Oilheads (and Hexheads) is critical to smooth running performance. Sometimes, it takes very little to cause running problems, even a very small pebble. A few days ago I was riding on remote rural roads and decided to wick it up a bunch, like a quick run to triple digits.

At the next stop sign the bike was running rough, popping bad on decel, idling very poorly, stalling, feeling like a fuel problem or ignition issue. Two miles back it was running great, now, running like it had a loose coil wire.

So yesterday I checked it out, and jammed in the right hand TB cable cam I found a small, 1/8" pebble that had gotten under the cable. This caused the TB balance to go, well very UNbalanced. I pried it out, and then reset the balance to be sure and all is well again. I figure, because I had the throttle cranked way open, the upper area of the cable cam was exposed and a small pebble got thrown up and into the cam. When I closed the throttle, the cable tension wedged the pebble into the cam, where it stayed until I pried it out. So if your bike is suddenly running rough, check for debris in the TB cable cams.

[kbasa]

As many of us know, the throttle body (TB) balance on our Oilheads (and Hexheads) is critical to smooth running performance. Sometimes, it takes very little to cause running problems, even a very small pebble. A few days ago I was riding on remote rural roads and decided to wick it up a bunch, like a quick run to triple digits.

At the next stop sign the bike was running rough, popping bad on decel, idling very poorly, stalling, feeling like a fuel problem or ignition issue. Two miles back it was running great, now, running like it had a loose coil wire.

So yesterday I checked it out, and jammed in the right hand TB cable cam I found a small, 1/8" pebble that had gotten under the cable. This caused the TB balance to go, well very UNbalanced. I pried it out, and then reset the balance to be sure and all is well again. I figure, because I had the throttle cranked way open, the upper area of the cable cam was exposed and a small pebble got thrown up and into the cam. When I closed the throttle, the cable tension wedged the pebble into the cam, where it stayed until I pried it out. So if your bike is suddenly running rough, check for debris in the TB cable cams.

Been there, done that. It's kind of freaky, isn't it? You're riding down the road thinking that you've exploded some vital, unidentified bit of your bike while visions of cubic dollars flowing out of your pockets fill your head.

And then it's a pebble. :clap

[MCMXCIVRS]

One of my pre TB balance inspections is to clean the pulleys of all debris. All to often there is something caught up in one or both.

[Andy VH]

I bet in part, it also depends on where you ride and what time of year it is. Up here in Wisconsin, many counties use sand as part of the winter traction methods. In that sand could be small pebbles like the one I just picked up. Until we have a number of good heavy rains and until traffic moves the crap off the roads it could be more common. I wonder if GS riders that do some un-paved roads have experienced it more often.

And then yesterday, I got a flat rear tire! Found the remains of a small finishing nail right in the center of the tread. Ok for a tire plug job and I'm good to go until this tire is replaced.

[jingdog]

Moral of the story: whenever the engine isnt running right or refuses to start reliably, the first thing you should do is check the throttle cables. A stone in the pulley can do it. So can a throttle cable displaced from its holder. Typically this happens when the gas tank is removed and replaced.
I wonder do Hondas have these problems?

[jasonTDI]

Yep....

It was sort of a freak out moment then the technician in me got a grip. Did the 24K service on the GS and found a cable jacket out of whack. Glad I know to look for that when I get out in the middle of nowhere though.