| Author | Message | ||
     Hangetsu |
This is a repeat of a post I put up on the Big, Bad, & Dirty forum, but my question is in a pretty generic XB issue. Over time it seems a bit of slack has developed in my throttle. There seems to me about ¼” of slack in the system before a twist of the grip begins to actuate the throttle, enough that I am constantly having to roll the grip a bit with my thumb to take up the slack before the grip engages and I can give the throttle a proper twist. There is no roughness in the throttle action, and the throttle still seems to open fully at full stop, but the amount of slack in the system is annoying, and I am concerned that the cables may need replacing. I gave my local dealership a call to acquire a new set of cables, and it seems this is one of the parts that has vanished from Buell replacement parts inventory, so, this brings me to my question. Has anyone out there found a non-OEM option for these cables, and does anyone out there know first-hand the length of the throttle and idle cables (XB12X Ulysses - stock bars)? I’m going to try to give mine a simple adjustment, but if the cables need replacing, I’d be grateful for any pointers on where a suitable replacement might be found. Many thanks! Alex | ||
| Tpehak |
https://st-paul-harley-davidson-buell.myshopify.co m/search?q=throttle+cable You will need to adjust cables regardless if they are new or old. Try to adjust old first. I'm not sure if there are other than original Buell XB cables will fit the motorcycle. Buell XB cables have specifically bent cables tubes to fit the throttle body and to route the cables properly and it might be unique geometry. The cables also have interface to fit the throttle grip housing and this interface might be unique too. So even the cable length will match the original cables length it does not mean they will fit Buell XB. (Message edited by TPEHAK on December 09, 2019) | ||
| Hangetsu |
Thanks for the feedback! It seems I may have to got to St. Paul's, but $100 for the set of cables - ouch! Cheers! Alex | ||
| 1_mike |
Agreed, seems very odd that stock throttle cables would stretch so far out of original length that a simple adjustment would not fix the problem. A 1/4 twist may sound like a lot, but it may take only two or three turns of the adjuster to make that up. Also, if you can't take up the slack at the adjuster near the throttle, there is more adjustment down where the cables attach to the throttle body. I'm sure, between the two locations, that you can get the looseness snugged up. Having to adjust the throttle cable is NOT a sign of impending doom of breakage..! ALL cables stretch during use. The heavier the return spring, or the heavier the task of work that the cable has to complete, the more they will stretch. Neither the throttle springs nor the opening of the throttle...is that heavy a task. Mike | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Make some new inner and outer cables yourself. Only re use the plastic elbow and extension from the throttle. It takes time but is doable to do them yourself. Take good measurements before cutting the stock cables! | ||
| Zacks |
Judging how much I like the Motion Pro Rev3 kit on my 1190, I'd check with them. Possibly more than stock, but they are tuneable. | ||
| Tpehak |
How do you do the cable ends? | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Solder some yellow brass barrels on with a solder iron. | ||
| Mog |
BE CAREFUL!  2006 Uly with just 11,000 miles on it, no wheelies but I definitely corner it and never make a solo ride without a major twist of the wrist moment.  That said, the Uly is in the shop for new throttle cables and a look see. An engine bolt was lose on its isolator mount, now thread locked and torqued to spec. I was running some great curves while heading for late lunch. On the final stretch to the burger joint, the engine's open throttle pinned itself. Kill switch and key off as clutch in but by that time it had accelerated from 50 to 80 mph. Luckily a Kwikmart was within coasting distance. AAA picked up the bike and me to the Carolina Coast HD just 7 miles away. If that scenario had been at a curve I was riding just moments before, I would have been a grease spot. I will keep you up to date on the final. This is the same Uly that swallowed the throttle plate screw. The folks at CCHD did a great job on fixing that problem but apparently the cables were not in as good shape as they had appeared. (Message edited by mog on January 19, 2020) | ||
| Mog |
Rode the XB9S to Carolina Coast H=D to see how the Uly throttle problem worked out. Any excuse to ride the XB9S on a balmy North Carolina day. "Tech found top engine mount bolt vibrated loose and was wedged next to throttle plate" (linkage). The bill included clearing the area, checking for breakage of adjacent mechanicals, replacing and fastening with thread locker, new cables and installation. The the cable cost was $51 with a total cost of $224 and I am very happy to be alive. I will be returning next wee to have the XB9S checked out for the same 'potential' problem. May I suggest that those who ride these superb machines keep a good eye on those engine bolts. There is now proof that a fairly unrelated problem can result from a loose bolt. Yes I am certainly skilled enough to do the work myself but at this later term in life it is worth more to me to have a certified mechanic rather than a certified septuagenarian solve the problem.  | ||
| Shoggin |
Didn't you notice it shakes a little bit when it's running?? Loctite. RED. on everything.  | ||
| Mog |
Shoggin, nope, I did not notice the XB12X shaking more than usual, although in hindsight that did seem a passing feeling. What I did notice is that cornering hard at 50 to 60 was a bit squirrelly on the rear tire and I seemed to pass it off as a road surface problem. Not long after did the cable/bolt jam occur. One awful WTF moment! Hindsight is 20/20 and thus the XB9S was given the same deep inspection by the fine H-D technician. All bolts checked, tightened and locktited, to include the throttle and anything else he could find. Money well spent on a very different set of eyes than mine. I now know better and am alive.  |
