How to adjust throttle cable 97 Sportster??

[colo87]

Hey I noticed that there is some play in the throttle for the first 2 inches or so so I tried to adjust the throttle cable on the carb. Now when I started the boat up its revving very high before I even touch the throttle. Im guessing this means I tightened it too much but it looks like the carbs are closed all the way when the throttle is down. What is the proper method for doing this and is there some way to check you adjusted it properly? Thanks for the help and I bought it sportster 3 days ago and I love this forum already haha.

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... this may sound dumb... but... just because it had play in it... did it need adjusted??? was it going to full throttle when you bought it?


On our boats... there is normally "Slack" in the throttle. It has nothing to do with the cable... it has to do with the lock-out in the throttle system. (so you can't pop it in reverse when going full throttle)


Also... since you took out that slack... you may now be stretching the cable, and putting stress on the carbs. In turn, you will bend the throttle arm, break the cable, or break the clevis at the throttle assembly.


To properly adjust the throttle:

1) loosen the cable
2) put the gear select into forward
3) push the throttle lever to full
4) adjust the cable so the carb is just slightly off of it's "Full" stop.


When done properly... you will have full throttle, and idle will be probably the first 1/4 of the throttle lever movement.

 

[colo87]

:cheers:Your completely right I thought that first fifth of the throttle should have had a response and my cable really didn't need to be adjusted. I put it back so that it idles normally and when the throttle is down all the way they are wide open. Thanks