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Author Topic: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?  (Read 6522 times)

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Offline fastbroshi

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Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« on: October 10, 2011, 10:15:32 AM »
   Hey guys, I just got back from a long trip on the 550 and realized this spring is way too stiff.   As fast as the throttle snaps back I'm sure I can replace it with a weaker one and get acceptable throttle closing speed.  But before I do this I just wanted to check with anyone that's done it in case there's some underlying reason I'm not seeing that it's so ridiculously strong.    What do you guys say?
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2011, 10:41:30 AM »
I know it doesn't seem like it when you first think about it because the throttle closes easily on its own, but an old/worn/rusty/kinked throttle cable can be the cause of this.  Disconnect the ends of the throttle cables and see if they slide back-&-forth easily using only your fingers. 
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Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2011, 10:47:46 AM »
  Gordon, I doubt that's the issue as they are new throttle cables.  However I am using a later CBR right side switch assembly with the CB550 throttle tube (and fit like they were made for each other, actually).  It all went together fine 2 years ago... maybe it's crudded up.
   How would you compare your 750's throttle to something newer?  On my VFR, I can turn the grip with two fingers.  Not so on the 550.
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Offline WarwickE36

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2011, 11:10:40 AM »
If its snapping shut really hard when you release the throttle, I would say the spring may be too strong.   

But, if it just difficult to pull and returns slowly I would suspend a hang up somewhere, i.e. cables, throttle tube, car. rack, linkages.
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Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2011, 11:18:32 AM »
No hangups whatsoever, it may be snapping shut normally.  Too hard in my opinion.
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Offline Rgconner

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2011, 11:30:36 AM »
I found the default spring to be pretty heavy, but then I am a lazy no good IT worker... I lack the strength and stamina of someone who works for a living.

A full day running the CB550 leaves my hand cramped into a claw so I replaced it with a spring half as heavy.

Still slams shut when released, but I am no longer in pain after a day of riding.

A "throttle boss" or other non-locking throttle control is a good idea as well to take the strain off your hand and wrist
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Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2011, 11:35:25 AM »
I brought along a Cramp Buster or it's cheap knockoff brother on my trip to Barber's.  It wasn't one piece of plastic like a Cramp Buster, it had a strip of velcro glued to the underside that wrapped around the throttle.  Doomed to failure.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2011, 11:56:21 AM »
Quote from: fastbroshi on October 10, 2011, 10:47:46 AM
  Gordon, I doubt that's the issue as they are new throttle cables.  However I am using a later CBR right side switch assembly with the CB550 throttle tube (and fit like they were made for each other, actually).  It all went together fine 2 years ago... maybe it's crudded up.
   How would you compare your 750's throttle to something newer?  On my VFR, I can turn the grip with two fingers.  Not so on the 550.

My 750 has a pretty strong throttle spring, but it moves smoothly when all is in good condition.  My 550 throttle feels very easy in comparison.  When I switch from the 750 to the 550 I tend to over-do it on the throttle for the first couple of twists until I recalibrate my grip. 

It very well may be that the spring is just too strong, but it would be good to disconnect everything and move each part independently to find out for certain where the problem is before replacing anything. 
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Offline Kermit

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2011, 04:25:41 PM »
Some of the reviews and tests i've read from when they came out said that the spring was too stiff.
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Offline WarwickE36

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2011, 04:34:42 PM »
If your throttle hand is cramping up I can't imagine what's happening to your clutch hand.
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" Why does anyone get offended by what someone does to their own bike? I dont get it. "

You made me think about it after I cheered knowing someone else would like to know what these control freaks are up to.
 Every time any owner strips whatever precious Honda part the horrified purists parts go up in value. That's not the part that bothers them.
 What bothers them is they sat up late at night, their breast full of wonder and estrogen, unable to sleep, dreaming about their lovely darling and all her glory... and next thing you know someone else doesn't share their emotional deluge and their reaction is they must spread their mind museum as far as they possibly can, taking over as much of the real world as possible.

Drink fast, drive slow, but ride it like you stole it

1974 Cb550 with style
2004 SV650s

Offline bjatwood

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2011, 05:16:19 PM »
I too thought my 750's carb return spring was a bit on the stiff side. I even bought new grips to try and releave the cramping. NO luck, new lighter spring did the job. I know HONDA put in springs for a bear trap for them carbs!
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Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2011, 06:00:38 PM »
Quote from: WarwickE36 on October 10, 2011, 04:34:42 PM
If your throttle hand is cramping up I can't imagine what's happening to your clutch hand.

No that one's fine.  The pull on that seems acceptable.  Keep in mind, I want to be able to ride a long way if need be with a minimum discomfort if any. 

I'll scrounge around for a different spring.
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2011, 07:48:10 PM »
Quote from: fastbroshi on October 10, 2011, 06:00:38 PM
Quote from: WarwickE36 on October 10, 2011, 04:34:42 PM
If your throttle hand is cramping up I can't imagine what's happening to your clutch hand.

No that one's fine.  The pull on that seems acceptable.  Keep in mind, I want to be able to ride a long way if need be with a minimum discomfort if any. 

I'll scrounge around for a different spring.

If you don't have a spring that will work, you may want to take another look at a throttle assist.  Don't discount them all because you ended up with a poorly constructed knock-off.  I've used a throttle rocker on my 750 for several years.  It wraps around the grip with velcro, but it's not glued on like yours was.  Makes all the difference. 
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Offline dave500

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2011, 12:35:17 AM »
the spring takes a bit of a fiddle to remove and replace but is easily done,you need a screw driver with a slot sawed into it and a piece of coat hanger bent into a hook to dangle it into place,,most nut and bolt supplies also do springs/copper washers etc,,take the old one in and have a look at the selection they have,they are a too heavy spring,i think in the day it made them feel like a mans bike?
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Offline bwaller

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2011, 04:07:20 AM »
I changed to a lighter spring and the thing is a joy. With cables properly routed and everything lubed as it should be the throttle snaps shut with a lighter spring too. I've tried cables other than Honda before and learned my lesson, they are the best...period.

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Offline Dracon

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #15 on: March 28, 2019, 05:37:12 PM »
Where are you guys getting your lighter throttle return springs? I would like to try one after replacing everything else... Thanks
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Offline river

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #16 on: March 28, 2019, 06:14:56 PM »
I fought with this for a while and finally tapped. I made sure I had new, lubed cables that were properly routed. I looked at everything. I finally replaced mine and it’s awesome. Throttle snaps back closed easily. I went to Ace Hardware and just started looking at different springs and bought several.  The one I ended up using was bent into a circle on each end and I just clipped a bit off each end and was able to fish it into place.
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Offline brewsky

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #17 on: March 28, 2019, 07:12:08 PM »
Fatter aftermarket grips will ease the effort.
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Offline lowriderbud

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #18 on: March 29, 2019, 06:00:30 AM »
The spring on my '78 750-F was way too stiff.  I had no luck looking for a replacement, so I cut two coils off, bent the end and reattached.  Works great and now I can ride all day without hand cramps.  I used a Dremal tool with a small cutoff wheel to do the cutting.  Hope this helps.

Later, Bud...
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Offline dave500

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #19 on: March 29, 2019, 06:13:28 AM »
whats with the dremel?side cutters will snip em easy,just get a softer spring?this is an old thread revived for basic #$%*?
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Offline BRG-BIRD

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #20 on: March 29, 2019, 06:48:56 PM »
I bought a bunch of different springs in differing lengths and some S hooks. Ultimately I used the S hooks on each of two springs (one spring inside the other) and they work great. Throttle snaps back nicely without hand cramping. :)
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Offline pjlogue

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Re: Cb550 throttle return spring - too stiff?
« Reply #21 on: March 30, 2019, 03:12:00 AM »
Bring the spring to Lowe's or Home Depot and see if they have a spring cose in physical size but lighter pull that the stock spring.  I found one for my 750 at Lowes.  It was almost perfect in size and ~1/2-1/3 the pull force.  Makes longer rides comfortable without my right hand cramping after 30 min.

-P.
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