How To Increase THROTTLE RESPONSE???

[TNTbefree]

Hello all... Looking for tips on how to increase throttle response. If you have a tip or advice on how to do so, please post it here.

In particular, my issue is with an 81 GL1100. First off, when I turn the throttle, it doesn't start to "catch" for about a quarter, to half an inch, into throttle turn. Then, in third gear at 30 mph, when I get on it, it will pull, get all deep and throaty sounding, pull, but not "go" as hard as I would like her to go. Same if I do it at speed in fourth and fifth gear. She pulls, but doesn't take off as well as I would like her to. Feels like she is lagging a bit.

If you do not have any advice specific to my issue, but have some general information or tips on how to improve or increase throttle response, I would still love to hear it. So feel free to post it below.

Thank you,

[Earl43P]

If you remove the false tank there is a throttle cable adjustment turnbuckle that can help with the dead travel, along with the adjustment at the right control. Might need to take up some of the slack but not TOO MUCH. You want some dead travel between throttle applied and throttle released. You also want the throttle to snap back under spring pressure smartly when released, not a slow creep back to off. Bad cables are usually that culprit although some do lube them successfully.

Whether a cable adjustment will help your performance response is iffy. Try that first and report back. If it isn't opening the butterflies fully due to cable fault, that may work for you.

My opinion of carbs should be taken with a salt lick block, not a grain. I believe there is a sort of diaphragm that when it is bad causes a lag when initially accelerating, sort of like an accelerator pump of raw gas to get her going before the vacuum gets the slides going. I think they also causes popping in the exhaust on throttle off decel when they are bad. If yours haven't been checked, they aren't expensive and you'll probably need new ones if you take them apart to check them. It's been so long I can't even recall if there is one on each carb or not. I do know mine were replaced from the git-go so I never had an issue. The insides were groady beyond belief. CRS= I can't even recall their name.

Lastly, as is the nature of these beasts, they really don't wake up and pull hard until 3500-4000 rpm, then hang on cause here we go. At least that's how mine is. Expecting 4th and 5th gears to pull hard is entirely dependent upon your road speed/gear/rpm. My 82 has an 83 engine (true overdrive 5th) and expecting any kind of performance under acceleration in 5th gear under 60 mph is folly. It actually doesn't "like" 5th for steady speeds under 60mph. (With your gearing, it may be like that in the 50-55 mph range in 5th).

An expert should be along shortly.....until then scroll to the bottom and read those 5 Similar Topic threads!

[Track T 2411]

I think Earl is referring to the air cutoff valves, and there is one on each carb. IMhO, I wouldn't just replace them. I looked back through your build thread, and didn't see any mention of going through the carbs. Did you do a sync? If not, I'd start there...

[robin1731]

Very hard to know what "you" mean by "increase throttle response". Stock carbs are CV carbs. Not as responsive as a regular flat slide carb. But they work pretty well for these bikes and most situations. Now if you are comparing a GL to perhaps another bike then it's apples to oranges. Like I said, hard to know for sure what you may mean.

Now to answer your question. "How To Increase THROTTLE RESPONSE???" On a stock GL there are numerous ways. Increase compression. Add cubic inches. Different cams. Different carbs. (not CV carbs) Al way over the top. But again, hard to know what you want.

If your bike is tuned good and running properly it should be pretty good. The 1100 doesn't react like a 1000. It will pull better at lower rpm.

Now, if the cable is that far out of adjustment, "First off, when I turn the throttle, it doesn't start to "catch" for about a quarter, to half an inch, into throttle turn." Then it may not be opening to full throttle. So get the throttle free play set right first, then go from there.

.

[fish]

downshift!

[ericheath]

Twice!

[BlueThunder]

If I understsnd the problem correctly...
The throttle grip must be turned about 1/4" before the cables engage and pull the buttleflies open. Even with cables adjusted correctly there was this 1/4" lag.
I figured that the aftermarket cable was too long. I made a collar that was inserted by the bell crank. It essentiasly took up the extra space. This eliminated the lag at the grip.

[ericheath]

1000 manual says there should be 1/8" to 1/4" of play at the grip.

[jdvorchak]

Have you checked your ignition mechanical advance? Make sure it moves freely and is not rusted. If it's rusted/frozen it will act sluggish on acceleration but will eventually get to about red line.

[HOTT]

Have you checked your ignition mechanical advance? Make sure it moves freely and is not rusted. If it's rusted/frozen it will act sluggish on acceleration but will eventually get to about red line.

Yep. I'd look there.

...get all deep and throaty sounding, pull, but not "go" as hard as I would like her to go.

Draw (suck) on vacuum hose and listen for advance mechanism, also make sure it holds vacuum. I'd start with known good carbs.

HOTT

[Rat]

Turn the right grip farther/harder/more often ....

Gord