Problem with snap back - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

goallight · 10-13-2012, 05:57 PM

Hello all. I recently got a 1980 xlh 1000 for next to nothing. Needs a little tlc but there is one simple thing fighting me. The throttle refuses to snap back to idle. It has a s&s super e carb on it. It have rebuilt the carb and replaced all the springs. I have also replaced both idle and throttle cables and even tried lubing the new ones and have tried adjusting both cables to no end as per the manuals way. Anyone have any ideas where else I may look? I am really running out of ideas. Best I can get it is to kind of "roll" back towards idle but never fully or a complete snap back motion. Thanks for any help

Sent from my iPad using Motorcycle

Dave63 · 10-13-2012, 06:27 PM

1980 never had dual throttle cables from the factory. It was a single cable to a Keihin butterfly carb. Is your throttle tube housing aftermarket, or a newer style (84-95?) housing. It has to be to attach a throttle and an idle cable.

Most times a throttle sticks, is because:

1.) the throttle tube is sticking inside the housing.

2.) The "cruise control" shoe is rubbing or broken.

3.) The controls and throttle tube are too far onto the bar, and the end of the grip is dragging on the end of the handlebar.

Look there if you've replaced/lubes/talked nicely to the cables, and all else from the cable to the carb is fine.

I'd also just take a peep and make sure the butterfly plate isn't rubbing and sticking inside the carb, due to a worn throttle shaft or loose butterfly screws.

Gman · 10-13-2012, 06:28 PM

Any chance that even with new springs there is not enough tension on the return because of a bent mounting point for the return spring?

Sent from my iPad using MO Free

goallight · 10-13-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave63

1980 never had dual throttle cables from the factory. It was a single cable to a Keihin butterfly carb. Is your throttle tube housing aftermarket, or a newer style (84-95?) housing. It has to be to attach a throttle and an idle cable.

Most times a throttle sticks, is because:

1.) the throttle tube is sticking inside the housing.

2.) The "cruise control" shoe is rubbing or broken.

3.) The controls and throttle tube are too far onto the bar, and the end of the grip is dragging on the end of the handlebar.

Look there if you've replaced/lubes/talked nicely to the cables, and all else from the cable to the carb is fine.

I'd also just take a peep and make sure the butterfly plate isn't rubbing and sticking inside the carb, due to a worn throttle shaft or loose butterfly screws.

It had dual cables and the s&s on it when i got it so i am going to go with aftermarket. Gonna check the housing didn't think of that. I am not sure wher e the cruise control shoe is or if it has one. I see no reference in any manual I am reading. I'll double check the carb again but I did use the complete rebuild kit from s&s and that stuff was replaced.

Sent from my iPad using Motorcycle

goallight · 10-13-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman

Any chance that even with new springs there is not enough tension on the return because of a bent mounting point for the return spring?

Sent from my iPad using MO Free

Bent mount point? I am not understanding that. Everything seems snug an where it should be. Sorry semi-new to this so I probably am just not thinking of the right thing.

Sent from my iPad using Motorcycle

Gman · 10-13-2012, 07:21 PM

Was just thinking about an old problem that I had with a metric cruiser where the spring tension was not enough to return a plunger (this was for a rear brake) and it turns out the mount point for the spring was bent a little bit and this caused the spring to not have enough tension to pull the plunger back up.... Just thought it might be similar with your throttle cable.

Sent from my iPad using MO Free

Redrooster66 · 10-13-2012, 07:26 PM

I had a similar problem and it ended up that the grip was sticking to the bar. I had to remove the grip and sand the bar down a little with some emery cloth. It was perfect after that.

goallight · 10-13-2012, 08:00 PM

I just realized my iPad autocorrected my year wrong. It is a 1982 not 1980 if that helps any

Sent from my iPad using Motorcycle

KrustyTC · 10-14-2012, 06:14 PM

I'm having the same issue with a 2003 883 Custom. I've sanded down the bar and lubed the grip with white lithium grease. I've also lubed the throttle mechanism where it is attached to the carb. If I loosen both throttle cables the carb moves freely. I think it's the throttle cables binding. I sprayed some lube down into the cables and they loosened up some but will still stick. I'm going to try lubing the cables again to see if I can get it completely freed up but am more than willing to do anything else anyone may suggest.

Thanks,
KrustyTC

Redrooster66 · 10-14-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrustyTC

I'm having the same issue with a 2003 883 Custom. I've sanded down the bar and lubed the grip with white lithium grease. I've also lubed the throttle mechanism where it is attached to the carb. If I loosen both throttle cables the carb moves freely. I think it's the throttle cables binding. I sprayed some lube down into the cables and they loosened up some but will still stick. I'm going to try lubing the cables again to see if I can get it completely freed up but am more than willing to do anything else anyone may suggest.

Thanks,
KrustyTC

Are your cables pinched under the tank?? That would keep them from sliding as well.