Throttle sticking

[LadySioned]

So on my last couple of rides I noticed my throttle has started to stick.
Is this something I want to play with myself, or should I just take her in to the shop and let them look at it?
If it is something I can play with myself, any suggestions on where I should start looking?

It doesn't stick if I only give her a little gas... it's when I really get on the throttle that it will hang open. Not for long but long enough to cause me to worry.

Thanks gang!
LS

[nabubba*]

Your throttle cables may need to be lubed a bit. Also take the air cleaner off the carb or throttle body and then twist the throttle (bike not running) and see if anything is catching at that point. To lube the cables you will need cable lube then take the switch housing off to expose the cables and then just spray the lube on the exposed cable let it flow a bit twist the throttle some and then button it back up. And take for a test ride to see if it is still sticking.

[Graywolf]

Look up under the switch housing and be sure the throttle lock is backed off.

[Ogur 1%er]

Stop riding it and take it to a shop!

Find the most awkward place to ride, hold the throttle wide open, put it in gear and dump the clutch. That's what it would be like, if you let this continue without professional help.

Your slide may be sticking in the carb, frayed throttle cable or the return.

Really though, think about the panic factor if this should stick in a hairy situation...

In your mind, picture the on/off switch on the handlebar, and flicking it with your thumb. Practice in real time on the bike, until it becomes second nature. Things get scary with a runaway Harley, loud pipes screaming in your ear and that wild horse jumping to get free. I've seen it.

I had a throttle stick on me long time ago, my first bike a 305 Honda, wasn't no way as powerful as a Harley, but it sure got my attention, especially with that stop sign coming at me. Even today I cycle the throttle linkage to be sure all is well prior to firing up time.

Check the cable routing for any binding from inside the grip to where they attach to the carb, the cables have to be lubed periodically so now is a good time, I wouldn't suggest riding until you can twist the throttle wide open and it snaps back with the bars turned left,right and centered.
The cable adjustments are at the elbow just below the throttle.
Lube the cables and then adjust them so the throttle will lift the slide to the top of the carb venturi, then adjust the return cable so when you let go of the grip it snaps back. You'll need 2 3/8 " spanners to do the adjustment, loosen the lock nut on the elbow and you can turn the sleeve in or out to make adjustments, when you've got it, tighten the lock nut and push the rubber boots back over them. Squirt a little lube under the boots, it makes it easy to slide em off and back on to the elbows. Leave a little bit of "play" in the hand grip.
Double check the throttle operation to make sure there is no binding or sticking before you ride it, let the bike idle and turn the bars full left and right to make sure you got it.

[97-FXSTSB]

Originally Posted by freeriderogur

Stop riding it and take it to a shop!

Find the most awkward place to ride, hold the throttle wide open, put it in gear and dump the clutch. That's what it would be like, if you let this continue without professional help.

Your slide may be sticking in the carb, frayed throttle cable or the return.

Really though, think about the panic factor if this should stick in a hairy situation...

In your mind, picture the on/off switch on the handlebar, and flicking it with your thumb. Practice in real time on the bike, until it becomes second nature. Things get scary with a runaway Harley, loud pipes screaming in your ear and that wild horse jumping to get free. I've seen it.

Unless you are truly mechanically inclined and are totally familiar with everything that could cause a throttle to stick, I concur with Ogur.

[LadySioned]

Thanks guys... not that I've been riding the past few days anyway... hard to ride when you can barely get out of bed.

appreciate the info

[G-MAN-01]

I agree with Ogur and B too. Throttle, brakes and tires are some things you just don't need to take any chances with. My dad always told me anything with that much mass you can get moving, you want to be able to stop. "Murphy" and I go way back. Anything that can go wrong, probably will, usually at the at the worst possible time. Unless you are pretty familiar with the system, it's probably better to have a competent mechanic look at it.

G-MAN

[djl]

Don't disagree with the suggestions of taking it to a shop but would check it out and follow the advice given before taking it in. Easiest thing for a dealer will be to tell you that the cable needed replacing, whether it does or not. Not that I think any dealer would be less than forthcoming about the problem but some dealers do take advantage, particularly of the gentler sex; just a precautionary note.

check the throttle lock position
check cable routing for possible binding
lubricate with some Dri-Slide injected from the switch housing end

If these checks and lubricating doesn't solve the problem, take it in.