Fixing sticky throttle - replace grips too?

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Shorts · #1 Unread post by **Shorts** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:33 pm

Well, as I mentioned in another post, I gotta clean up the throttle grip, it's pretty sticky. The previous owner was not real careful with the glue, there's some on the side of the switch housing.

How should I go about this? Is replacing the grips all together the easiest way to get things cleaned up?

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:19 pm

The glue slobber is just on the switch housing? Is there any on the throttle tube itself? Scrape the glue off the houseing with a blade of your choice. The throttle tube can be a coin-toss. Every stock replacement tube for every bike I have ever bought one for was about $10-15. Pretty cheap, and they restore smooth action with less slop for awhile. Then all you have to clean out is the housing/clamp the tube rotates in.

Grips... is the one you got worn out? If it is, grips ain't very expensive.... If it isn't..... grips ain't very expensive. And factoring in time and effort to remove and remount the old one to a new tube.... new grips mount better than ones that have been on once already..... grips ain't very expensive.

Something to consider... is your grip comfortable? I got little girly-hands and like grips that are shorter and smaller diameter than most. I bet you got a little girly-hand too....

Also... since the left side grip condition isn't real important to you, you need to find somebody who needs only the leftside grip due to a tip-over or something, and split the cost of a set with them.

Shorts · #3 Unread post by **Shorts** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:50 pm

lol Yeah, it's the same with gloves. I need to find a leftie shopping buddy with medium sized girl hands

The throttle tube is actually very clean. I had it off the bars when I did the initial work on the controls. I made sure to wipe the bar and inside the tube with some windex to clean any dirt that was under there.

The throttle tube that sits inside the switch housing is also clean. Again, I made sure of it when I had the controls off for mods.

There is glue on both the switch housing and the end piece of the grip that sits up against it. What use to happen this summer was the grip would slowly make its way to sitting snug against the switch housing, so then it'd start sticking. To "fix" that during practice, I just pulled the grip outwards away from the housing. Of course, the grip would eventually slide back against the housing. With as much yanking on that grip as I do in order to steer, the grip doesn't stay put I guess.

The grips are fairly narrow, which is good for me. The left side if fine, and it's all velcroed up for my glove. The right side isn't in bad condition at all. It just moves on me.

I was halfways considering cutting off about a 1/4"-1/2" of the outside end of the grip so that it is even with the throttle tube. And since the wide inside edge of the grip is sticking to the housing, I though about just cutting that wide end off. But that would look pretty jerry-rigged

I'll slip into the garage in bit and see about getting a better description.

Shorts · #4 Unread post by **Shorts** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:06 pm

Well, instead of farting around with glue and whatnots, what do you think about these Throttle Control grips?

BuzZz · #5 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:59 am

New throttle tube (oooh, carbon fiber) and 2 new grips? For $25? Can't beat that. Go for it.

BTW, if you find a quick turn throttle easier to manipulate with the clutch with one hand than a longer throw throttle, PM me. I got a cheap trick to make most throttles into quicker turn (less rotation to full throttle) I can let you in on.

Shorts · #6 Unread post by **Shorts** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:43 am

mmmm, buying stuff

I ordered the throttle. I ordered from Chapparral since the shipping was USPS instead of Ground (which takes years to get here).

I'll be motovated to clean the side of the switch housing better now that I have to remove the old stuff lol

PM sent BuzZz

#7 Unread post by **Sev** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:37 pm

You'll have to let us know how they work out. I'm very tempted to pick up a set now hehe. My wallet hates you Shorts!

Shorts · #8 Unread post by **Shorts** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:57 pm

Sev wrote:You'll have to let us know how they work out. I'm very tempted to pick up a set now hehe. My wallet hates you Shorts!

I hope these get here soon! I'll remove the old stuff today if I get a chance and clean things up, give it a lookies. Then impatiently wait for the mail.

Shorts · #9 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:19 pm

I gave it a look - it was grungy.

What should I do with the fabulous rust on ther bar? What's the proper method (paint wise) to at least get that covered up. I figure on sandpapering that relatively smooth. I'd like to get a rust inhibitor on that...primer? It doesn't really need a color coat, but I'd like to clean it before installing the new throttle.

BuzZz · #10 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:34 pm

That's pretty normal for a used throttle. You'll notice there are scuffs and scrapes matching the bar on the inside of the t-tube. The new tube will feel alot smother.

But you still need to sand the bar smooth (the smoother the better) and paint it if you like. No matter what, it will end up looking like that again. The tube flexes and drags when you twist and wrench the bars, gonna happen.

I take my whole throttle apart several times a season to clean it, just like lubing cables. And if you do that, you can apply a light grease coat to the end of the bar.

You want to keep up on the cleaning though, grease can attract dust and gum up, making more sticky problems.