Throttle lock

Tippie

Tippie

Hero member
Location
Dr?bak, Norway
Is anyone using a throttle lock sort of cruise control on their Laverda? My right hand can be murder on long stretches. I have recently heard that it is likely carpal tunnel that a simple op might fix after decades of suffering it. However for the upcoming Breganze long trip I have seen these Atlas gizmos that may be good. I just wonder how they might go with the vibration of an SF.
 
I have a Vesta cruise control, it's a clamp-like gadget that holds the throttle and is active by a flick of your thumb. but can be overridden pretty easily that allows my right hand to come off. Approx $100 but bought it decades back I also always use a cramp buster, that doesn't need hand clamping. The weight of your hand holds the throttle. That does take a little getting used too. I use that all the time including tight roads. Both make a huge difference on long, 8hr plus of rides. I really like the look of those Atlas gadgets but they are approx $300. https://www.aerostich.com/vista-cruise.html

Oxford Cruise Anti-Fatigue Throttle Assist at MXstore

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There was a local case of someone running on in a bend once. It's possible but in 20 years of using them, it hasn't ever happened to me.
 
I had these for sale couple of years ago, but they are all sold. Feel free to copy the design.
 

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And pictures to show how the cruise control works.
 

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I used one of those Vesta cruise controls for years, but it became redundant when I bought the lightest of the three spring types available (triple with 3 PHF Dells) and cut forst 20mm and then another 200m off their length, new cable )old style metal coinduit no fancy PTFE lined shit) lubricated with very light oil (sewing machine) and Bob's you uncle, I might even get away with another 20mm off the spring lengths, but havent tried yet.
CLEM
 
That'd be 240mm off your spring length Clem!! :cool: But even if you typed the '200' correctly, surely 60mm off a Dell spring is pushing the envelope a tad?
 
CLEMTOG said:
I used one of those Vesta cruise controls for years, but it became redundant when I bought the lightest of the three spring types available (triple with 3 PHF Dells) and cut forst 20mm and then another 200m off their length, new cable )old style metal coinduit no fancy PTFE lined shit) lubricated with very light oil (sewing machine) and Bob's you uncle, I might even get away with another 20mm off the spring lengths, but havent tried yet.
CLEM
Click to expand...
Doesn't shortening the spring increase the spring rate ie make it stiffer?
 
psg said:
Doesn't shortening the spring increase the spring rate ie make it stiffer?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it more than negates the pre-load, which is far too high.

Simplest mod yet for lightening the throttle action, apart from installing lighter springs. Well-lubed cables help more than many imagine. ;) The triples' actuation levers also appreciate a drop of oil once in a while as well.

piet
 
I've just realised I've liked three comments on the thread (Clem and Piet) so I maybe should say something. Or not :unsure:. Coming in from other brands a few years ago, I must say I found the standard setup on the triples...confusing. Two handfuls to get to full throttle...and the stiffest action this side of a rusty Desert Eagle. I adopted two of Clem's historic adjustments; a Yamaha RD250 twistgrip body and shortening the springs by a considerable amount. As Piet says, the problem is the pre-load with the original springs which is ridiculous.
Back to the thread, I had one of the plastic cruise controls that just slips onto the twistgrip on my VFR- great value and worked a treat.
 
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It is on any bike at all that gives trouble, not just the Laverda, and doesn't seem related to return tension. I can try one of those paddle things but it seems to be holding my hand in a constant position that is the problem, otherwise fork out for one of the friction ones.
 
It's surprising even when you consciously refrain from squeezing your fist it still tends to happen when holding the bars. Flex any muscle for hours and it will hurt. We all know how much better bikes handle with no weight from your upper body on the bars but that also drops off on long days. The thing that really helped me was avoiding numb Bum, and I would get extreme pain from that. It's sitting for hours and even with a really comfy custom seat that is well padded my arse would go to sleep from Vibrations. The fix is an Air Hawk inflated just enough to lift you slightly above, they completely removed this issue plus any pressure points. I fit mine backwards so it also keeps my inner thys off the seat as well. Don't over-inflate, that results in the feeling of sitting on a greased bowling ball. It's doubled the distance I can do in a day from 400 to 800ks reasonably pain-free.

Motorcycle Cushions Archives - AIRHAWK Australia

airhawk.com.au airhawk.com.au
 
Lee,

If you're still using the OE ND throttle, it does feature an adjustable friction "damper". Unfortunately, it works both ways, but might help if you're fighting the spring tension while holding a constant throttle.

I've also found thin grips lighten the throttle. It's not much, but they do shift leverage to your advantage.

piet
 
Tippie said:
It is on any bike at all that gives trouble, not just the Laverda, and doesn't seem related to return tension. I can try one of those paddle things but it seems to be holding my hand in a constant position that is the problem, otherwise fork out for one of the friction ones.
Click to expand...
I have been using one of those paddle things for a few years on longer trips, they do help, the best part is that you can change the position of your hand , push down with your thumb, use the side of your hand etc.
But didn't get real relief until I had a carpal tunnel release 12 mths ago. Not perfect but much better.

I have one bike that has factory cruise control which is pretty fuckin good.
 
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