Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech freeplay in the throttle cables

Hi all,

I'm having some trouble adjusting freeplay in the throttle. There is about 3 mm of freeplay from where the throttle rests to when it pulls, which is great. But there is about 7 mm. of freeplay from the same resting spot the other way, which feels like a lot when you hit the breaks and are rolling off. Is the outermost cable the one that adjusts this? I'm not having much luck with either cable adjustment, and I'd rather not adjust them at the carbs if I am just missing something.

Sorry for the dumb question.

Dang , SOMEBODY talk to Mike , he's been sitting for days waitin' for an answer .
OK , I'll try - don't really unnerstand about the "return play" , the slide springs should snap it back with no play . Elaborate ?

Okay Mike. I was hoping one of the guys who's intimate with these carbs would chime in.

I can't remember which cable is which, but you need to adjust them both. One is open and the other is return, they have to work together. Take off the switchgear so you can see them while adjusting.
If your adjusters are out too far, you will have to take up some slack on the carb end, PITA.

It takes a thin 10mm wrench to work the carb ends of the throttle cables to adjust them. You can do it with the tank on though, but it is a bit intricate.

I don't know why yours are so slck to begin with - what changed to make that happen?

I can't recall which is which, but I will check the Service manual in the morning, and post the step-by-step. It's really not that hard, but helps a lot if you follow the recommended procedure.

Work the cable through it's current free play while watching the crimped-on ends at the carb side. A helper to work the throttle grip back & forth would be helpful. Loosen the top nuts that surround the cable's sheathing at the carb side, and do the gross adjustment there. Making the cable's sheath move away from the mounting bracket will reduce the play. Leave a little play at the carb side, then do the fine adjustment at the grip side. If I'm not explaining it well, ride up to my house at the NW corner of the state or to Toymakers Cafe, and I'll show you what I mean. It only takes a minute to do.