Sticky Throttle

[lorazepam]

My R80ST has a sticky throttle. I checked the cables, when removed from the twist grip, the cable snaps back great. When I re install it, it wont return without assistance from me.

I have lubricated the mechanism, lined up the gears with the index mark, and still no luck with the throttle return.

What am I missing? is there some secret chant or special lube I should use? I tried lithium grease, as recommended by the clymer manual. All comments appreciated.

[flash412]

My R80ST has a sticky throttle. I checked the cables, when removed from the twist grip, the cable snaps back great. When I re install it, it wont return without assistance from me.

I have lubricated the mechanism, lined up the gears with the index mark, and still no luck with the throttle return.

What am I missing? is there some secret chant or special lube I should use? I tried lithium grease, as recommended by the clymer manual. All comments appreciated.Never put lithium grease in the cable splitter box. Only use powdered graphite. (It is for locks and can be purchased at any hardware store.) If I were you, I'd check the cable splitter box. That was generally where the bugaboo was hiding on my R80G/Ss.

[lorazepam]

thanks flash, I will wipe the lube out of the splitter, and replace with a dry lube. I just wondered if the throttle mechanism has any quirks that need to ba addressed. I will check to make sure that the grip isnt rubbing against the end of the handlebar, and work from there. The cable works great and snaps back when not in the twist grip assembly (throttle assy) but when replaced back in, it doesnt close.

[The_Veg]

I've never heard never grease before. The factory put some red goop in all the mechanisms I've seen. Of course the red goop has a habit of getting wax-like over time.

[Braddog]

...your friction screw? I know, I know, that's a dumb, rather obvious thing, but if your screw is turned in a bit, it would require you to manually return the throttle.

It doesn't sound like a cable issue, sounds like something in the bars or something?

[James.A]

I'm not familiar with anything newer than /6, do both cables go all the way to the handset?

[cjack]

I'm not familiar with anything newer than /6, do both cables go all the way to the handset?
They have a junction box (small cylinder) which joins the two cables from the carbs to one cable to go up to the bars. Same with the clutch.

[The_Veg]

On my '95 both cables go all the way to the bar.

[cjack]

On my '95 both cables go all the way to the bar.

Probably safer somehow. Maybe the junction box was troublesome, but don't see people buying parts for them either.
Your choke is still two into one though...I see.
The later oil heads have a junction box.

[lorazepam]

I redid the "choke" cables, and it was pretty easy. the single cable comes down to a plastic sleeve, which contains a plastic slider with 3 grooves, and places for small cylinders on the ends of the cable to rest. It has a threaded adjuster just like at the carb, and was easy to figure out.

The Throttle is the same as the choke, and appears to be working fine as far as the cables go, plenty of spring tension, the cable slides easily and snaps back on the springs with no hesitation.
I got the replacements from the local dealer, and they differ from what is on the bike now. Currently the left one is shorter than the right, but the replacements are the same length.

My guess is, someone replaced a cable with the wrong one. I will replace the lower cables and report back.

Cables (http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?VIN=6207810)

[lorazepam]

put the lower cables on this morning, and the throttle was snapping back just as it should. Now to balance the carbs...

[manicmechanic]

I'm betting the bike will run a lot smoother now, not that it was that bad before. Just not very consistent, IIRC.

[R100RS]

I use regular grease on the handlebar throttle linkage. Never had any problems, though I do clean and re-lube once a year or so.

[MPILLIS]

Had the same problem on my 1985 R80. Move the outside of the handgrip/throttle assy outwards a little( to the right) so the throttle grip is not rubbing on the handlebar.

[lorazepam]

Thanks for all the replies. I replaced the lower cables, moved the throttle assembly out a smidgen. The throttle snapped back great after that. One of the lower cables had some fraying, so I did both.

Adjusted the choke and throttle cables, adjusted the valves, new plugs, and a carb synch has made a world of difference. This bike is incredibly simple to work on.