Throttle Tube Slop - Cheap Fix

[bschlott]

This is a fix to reduce/eliminate the slop between the throttle tube and the bars that plagues most of our bikes. Now, this isn't going to be as awesome as an Uptite or G2 throttle tube, but it is also much cheaper. Sorry, I don't have any pictures, however, this modification is pretty easy.

I bought some .010" teflon sheet/film from McMaster (http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/3601/=iqxuud ; part number 8569K18).

I cut a piece about 2.75" wide (the circumference of the bars where the throttle tube slides on) and trimmed it to the same length as the throttle tube. It is okay to cut it slightly smaller than needed, but try to get it close (you don't want it too big, though). Also, make sure to cut it short enough so that it isn't pinched by the throttle cable perch. You want this piece of film to be able to slide freely under the throttle tube. I also rounded the corners of the rectangular sheet to keep them from catching on anything.

-Remove the throttle tube
-Dust the bars with some powdered graphite or similar (throttle tube area)
-Place the teflon film on the bars
-Slide the throttle tube over the piece of teflon
-Reattach the throttle tube assembly, make sure not to clamp down on the teflon sheet with the cable perch

This mod greatly reduced the slop in between the tube and the bars; the tube still moves freely on the tube (due to the teflon/graphite).

The sheet is about $6 + shipping. If you are already ordering something from McMaster, tack this on to your order. Not sure how much shipping is for just this item, but it can't be very much.

Hope somebody else finds this useful!

 

[gsmitty]

bschlott,

I have a Triumph Sprint GT and replaced the OEM grips with heated ones. The problem is there is so much slop in the grip because of the play between the grip and bars that my fingers go numb on the from all the play.

Glad I found your post as Triumph doesnt have a solution and there's people that have the same issue. I think your solution may work for me.

Did you cut the sheet to have the teflon wrap around the entire bar and the slid the throttle grip over?

Thanks!
g-smitty

 

[bschlott]

Hi,

The teflon sheet trick works best between the throttle tube and the bars since the teflon allows for a smooth operation of the throttle. To me, it sounds like your heated grips are a bit too large for the bars (inside diameter of the grips is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bars). If you use teflon, your grips might have a tendency to slip/rotate when you don't want them too. What you might want to try is taking some heat shrink tubing and putting it on the bars to "build up" the OD of the bars. Check out http://www.mcmaster.com/#about-heat-shrink-tubing/=puns8j and look at the stuff that shrinks from 1.5" to 3/4". It will add about .08" to the OD of the bars which is quite a bit.

To answer your question, I cut the teflon sheet to wrap almost all the way around the bar (just slightly less so there is no overlap of the sheet) and slid the throttle tube over it.

Let me know if this helps or if you need some more info.

 

[gsmitty]

Hey B

The problem is only with the throttle side- you are correct, the inside diameter of the grip is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bar. I picked up from Mcmaster .010 and .020 thickness of teflon to see which one will snug up the best.

I thought about using heat shrink, but would it cause the throttle to not turn smoothly around the heat shrink? Maybe bind because the inside of the throttle that wraps around the bar is plastic

What is the heat-shrink sku you are speaking of as the link is broke?

Thanks Man!

 

[bschlott]

If you need the pieces to move smoothly, then you definitely want to use the teflon (which it sounds like you do). If you just need to build up some thickness, the heat shrink would probably be a better option (so it doesn't want to move). For example, McMaster part# 7132K79 is some heat shrink tubing that might work on the bars.

Let me know how it works out or if you have any other questions/comments.

Cheers!

 

[gsmitty]

Hey B

Wanted to let you know that I installed a .010 teflon sheet around the bar. Prior to inserting i doused the teflon with Graphite Lube from my son's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby cars :-)

Walla, all the slop is gone! Now to wait for spring to come in Detroit.

I thank you for all of your guidance and looking forward to riding.

G-Smitty