Sensitive Throttle Fixed

[srstein]

I fixed the on/off throttle problem on my bike.

When I bought my bike it had 22,000 miles on it. After I was more accustomed to the way it handled I realized that the throttle was extremely sensitive and it was either off or hold-the-heck-on which wasn't helping my confidence through corners.

I pulled off the airbox and had a look inside the throttle bodies and when I twisted the throttle (with the engine off) I noticed a thick brown ring. You can see it in the picture.

(continued...)

 

[omslaw]

Looks like a cleaning is in order

 

[srstein]

I grabbed a bottle of carb cleaner and a handful of gun cleaning patches (cotton swabs would also work.) I sprayed a patch and used my finger to wipe down the inside of the throttle body and the throttle plate on both sides. There are also vacuum line ports I made sure to clean.

If you use carb cleaner, make sure the engine is off and you don't spray inside the throttle body. There is a special throttle body and air intake cleaner that can be used while the engine is running...and what I did next.

You can see how dirty the patches got after cleaning the throttle bodies.

(continued...)

 

[srstein]

For good measure, I started the engine and sprayed each of the throttle bodies with throttle body cleaner. Already I could tell the bike was running better.

All I can say is that it's an entirely different bike! The throttle roll-on is smooth like it should be and doesn't jump from idle like it used to.

At first I thought my bike needed to be dyno tuned to correct the problem. Turns out it cost me $2.50 and less than an hour of time!

You can see the difference below...

 

[omslaw]

Glad you got it figured out and fixed! On the cheap, too! Can't beat that!

 

[Cblast]

Whodathunkit? Great idea to check this!

 

[SnapAttack]

When cleaning the body does the battery need to be disconnected or allow everything to dry completely?

I did this on my Maxima and it threw a code for the TPS sensor.

 

[srstein]

I only cleaned the inside of the throttle bodies by wiping them out by hand. If you spray while the engine is running you want to make sure it's a throttle body cleaner and not a carb cleaner. Carb cleaners are too aggressive and may damage the sensors and seals. (Although, I did cheat by using carb cleaner sprayed to a cotton pad first with the engine off.)

The TPS sensor is off to the side and unless you're spraying it directly with cleaner (which I wouldn't recommend) it should be ok. If you're really concerned about it, just wipe out the inside of the throttle bodies by hand with the engine off and everything should be fine.

I didn't spray the outside of the throttle bodies or the engine as I didn't see any benefit to doing it and risk damaging sensors, seals, hoses or paint.

I hope this helps!

 

[srstein]

Another thing, one of the most important parts of the cleaning is removing the brown ring where the throttle plate closes. This affects the airflow to the engine at a low throttle position. This is very apparent if you watch how little it opens when the throttle is moved and the engine running.

Mine had a noticeable lip that had developed over time.

I plan on adding this to my routine maintenance and cleaning them out the same time I change the oil.

 

[Johnnycheese]

next time use B-12 instead much better product for this cleaning

 

[stlbusarider]

 

[srstein]

Thanks for the tip on Berryman B12! I'm going to try and find it locally for the next time around.

 

[SnapAttack]

Thanks.

 

[busa05]

I have 22,500 miles on a 2005 - at 21,000 I replaced the chain and sprockets.
Prior to replacing the chain and sprockets I started to experience a surging at 3500 to 4000 RPM only.
I thought that was a clear sign that my chain/sprockets were bad.
I still have the surge problem only in 1 thru 4th gear at 3500-4000RPM.

If I shift to 5th or 6th -the surge goes away.
I am the original owner and did not have this problem until approx 21,000 mile.

I have been told this is common for the Busa - however I had never experienced this before.

Busa is stock - I do have Micro slip ons and a KnN air filter - since New.

Any Idea's

 

[frisbee]

Hell i better clean mine i just turned 30,000

 

[dadofthree]

Just had mine apart, didn't even look inside the throttle bodies. Next time I'll make sure I do a good inspection.

 

[fasttoys1]

Nicely done.

 

[srstein]

(busa05 @ Aug. 14 2007,20:00) I have 22,500 miles on a 2005 - at 21,000 I replaced the chain and sprockets.
Prior to replacing the chain and sprockets I started to experience a surging at 3500 to 4000 RPM only.
I thought that was a clear sign that my chain/sprockets were bad.
I still have the surge problem only in 1 thru 4th gear at 3500-4000RPM.

If I shift to 5th or 6th -the surge goes away.
I am the original owner and did not have this problem until approx 21,000 mile.

I have been told this is common for the Busa - however I had never experienced this before.

Busa is stock - I do have Micro slip ons and a KnN air filter - since New.

Any Idea's

I'm not an expert as I'm figuring these things out myself. The cleaning definitely helped a great deal, although I still had a bad surge at any speed even after cleaned I the throttle bodies.

Last week I got around to replacing the cush drives in the rear wheel. I could tell they were very worn because the sprocket had a little play relative to the wheel and it basically fell off when I took the rear wheel off the bike. The new cush drives needed a little spray of windex to help get the sprocket assembly back in because of the tight fit and there was no movement. Again, my bike has around 25,000 miles and I doubt they were ever replaced.

The bike response is fantastic now and the surge, drive line play or slack that I felt is virtually gone.

I hope this helps!