Sticking Choke?

[higgo]

I ride an old 600 TA and during the last couple of days the idling speed of the engine has been high (1500 rpm) coupled with a slight smell of fuel when stationary. I am told by my local bike shop that the problem is likely to be a sticking choke cable/assembly, but being a distrusting soul I thought I would ask you kind folks

1. Is this a common problem on the TA?

2. Being a newbee to biking, is it difficult to lubricate the choke cables to stop them sticking?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

[Wee Jack]

Higgo , it's a common problem to anything operated by steel "sheath" cable and exposed to the elements.

Once you get it free - (never mind the dealer , do it yourself or get a mate to) plenty of WD40 skooshed around under the tank and a wee bit lub down the cable.

It might not be your choke thats causing your problems of course , but it's a good bet and a good place to start.

I've had chokes "freeze" before in cold weather - moisture in and around the levers , cables and sliders - again WD40 cures that.

Welcome to biking mate - WD40 will become your bestest buddie in the whole wide world.

[Austin]

I've had chokes "freeze" before in cold weather - moisture in and around the levers , cables and sliders - again WD40 cures that.

My throttle cable was frozen yesterday morning. Well, it was very stiff and didn't shut off under spring pressure. Suddenly eased off in slow traffic when I assume the engine heat melted the ice inside the cable.

I have bougt one those little cable oiler doobries that you use an aerosol on - job for the weekend

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I ride an old 600 TA and during the last couple of days the idling speed of the engine has been high (1500 rpm) coupled with a slight smell of fuel when stationary. I am told by my local bike shop that the problem is likely to be a sticking choke cable/assembly, but being a distrusting soul I thought I would ask you kind folks

1. Is this a common problem on the TA?

2. Being a newbee to biking, is it difficult to lubricate the choke cables to stop them sticking?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

Hi Higgo,

Sticking chokes is well known on this engine format, and your description sounds typical.

It is easy to remove the cable at the lever end and tape a polly bag and part fill with WD40 or similar while working the cable.

Lubing the cable may or may not solve the problem, the cable could be knackered or could be sticking where the cable enters the carb, a little fiddly but easy enough to take to bits.

Phil

[Lord Vader]

I ride an old 600 TA and during the last couple of days the idling speed of the engine has been high (1500 rpm) coupled with a slight smell of fuel when stationary. I am told by my local bike shop that the problem is likely to be a sticking choke cable/assembly, but being a distrusting soul I thought I would ask you kind folks

1. Is this a common problem on the TA?

2. Being a newbee to biking, is it difficult to lubricate the choke cables to stop them sticking?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

Hi Higgo,

Sticking chokes is well known on this engine format, and your description sounds typical.

It is easy to remove the cable at the lever end and tape a polly bag and part fill with WD40 or similar while working the cable.

Lubing the cable may or may not solve the problem, the cable could be knackered or could be sticking where the cable enters the carb, a little fiddly but easy enough to take to bits.

Phil

Trust him He knows what he is talking about he and yen did my clutch cable.They tried to save the old one with this method but endet up putting a new one through.

[Dessert Storm]

[quote="Austin"

I have bougt one those little cable oiler doobries that you use an aerosol on - job for the weekend[/quote]

Be interested to hear how you get on with that Austin - often thought about buying one of those.

[higgo]

Great advise , thanks folks. I will try the polly bag trick tonight...

[fatowl]

In my experience, once a cable gets water in it it's too late to save. It's better to oil it first. Must oil mine too !

[Austin]

[quote=Dessert Storm]

Be interested to hear how you get on with that Austin - often thought about buying one of those.

did the job on Sunday - loobing the throttle cables.

1. Undo the the two bolts holding the throttle clamp on.
2. Pull apart and look on is dismay as bits of plastic fall out - no idea how they were fitted.
3. Undo the two cable adjusters- noteing which one goes where
4. Attach cable oiler doobrie to one of the cables. This has a rubbery inner that fits over the cable outer at one and and the inner at the other . Then you wind down the clamp to tighten up the rubbery thing until it is sealed at both ends.
5. Insert long red nozzle that comes with WD40 into cable oiler doobrie and into can of WD40. Squirt. If leaks occur either tighten or support it all so that most of the oil is not leaking. It then has one place to go - down the cable.
6. Repeat with other cable.
7. Grease up the twist grip and anything else that moves.
8. Assembly is the reverse of dismantling, except pieces don't magically jump off the floor and into the right place. I struggled to get it back together for about 10 or 15 mins before the magic worked and it sort of fell into place. I hate badly designed things like this.
9. Adjust for free play, start engine and...vroom, vroom. Silky smooth throttle again. Wonderful.
10 Look at clutch and choke and decide to do another day.
11 Wife shouts "Dinner".....Roast (real) Free Range Chicken, Roast potatoes and roast parsnip, mashed carrot and turnip, peas, bread sauce and gravy. Glass of wine. Cherry and Plum crumble with custard. She is a darling!!

[Dessert Storm]

did the job on Sunday - loobing the throttle cables.

1. Undo the the two bolts holding the throttle clamp on.
2. Pull apart and look on is dismay as bits of plastic fall out - no idea how they were fitted.
3. Undo the two cable adjusters- noteing which one goes where
4. Attach cable oiler doobrie to one of the cables. This has a rubbery inner that fits over the cable outer at one and and the inner at the other . Then you wind down the clamp to tighten up the rubbery thing until it is sealed at both ends.
5. Insert long red nozzle that comes with WD40 into cable oiler doobrie and into can of WD40. Squirt. If leaks occur either tighten or support it all so that most of the oil is not leaking. It then has one place to go - down the cable.
6. Repeat with other cable.
7. Grease up the twist grip and anything else that moves.
8. Assembly is the reverse of dismantling, except pieces don't magically jump off the floor and into the right place. I struggled to get it back together for about 10 or 15 mins before the magic worked and it sort of fell into place. I hate badly designed things like this.
9. Adjust for free play, start engine and...vroom, vroom. Silky smooth throttle again. Wonderful.
10 Look at clutch and choke and decide to do another day.
11 Wife shouts "Dinner".....Roast (real) Free Range Chicken, Roast potatoes and roast parsnip, mashed carrot and turnip, peas, bread sauce and gravy. Glass of wine. Cherry and Plum crumble with custard. She is a darling!!

Nice description Austin. Sounds a useful bit of kit for not a great deal of money.

Reckon a ride-out to your house for Sunday lunch would be well attended!