Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Throttle Lock: NEP CC4 V-Strom

It was always my plan to install some sort of Throttle Lock on my Wee. When I rode my Maxi-Scoot down to Oregon I left Vancouver and stopped in Burlington to purchase a Throttle Locker. It was a little plastic gizmo that attached around the right handgrip (Throttle) and you put your palm on it to hold a steady speed. It was made of some sort of plastic that had a spring tension which you slipped over your bar end, and it was this gripping action of the plastic which held it in place. I could not install the throttle locker on my V-strom since I had OEM hand guards and heated grips which were of a larger diameter. I actually didn't like the throttle locker as it took up a lot of real estate on the grip and through the twisties I found that it kept getting in the way and was creating a dangerous situation by keeping the throttle ON rather than letting me slow down on downhill stretches.

I did a lot of investigation on various forums to determine which one to buy and I couldn't decide . So I bought both models that I was interested in

P1010337
(NEP CC4 & Vista Cruise Universal for 7/8" handlebars)

Because I had heated grips I think the Vista Cruise would have been a little more difficult to install. It had more pieces and was more complex in its appearance. Also the fact that part of it installed over the throttle giving your hand less wiggle room. I liked the fact that the NEP could be installed between the grip and the brake reservoir "stuff" (<-- technical term) .

P1010339
(NEP CC4)

The NEP is so simple even a dummy could do it. Basically it is just 2 split rings held together by a brace and a small flange to hook onto your throttle return line to stop it from spinning, and a lever to "set" the throttle, with a set screw to adjust the friction.

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Here it is shown with the supplied allen key

In Jack riepe terms it is like a blonde with long bowed legs which wrap around the flange on your throttle to stop it from spinning, held in place by friction. The set screw applies pressure to the "clamping action" to keep the throttle spring from returning, but loose enough to allow you to still move the throttle to the desired positon while "locked". You depress the lever to SET and flick it back to RELEASE .

P1010346

It mounts left of the throttle and grabs onto that lip

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Like a split ring it is easy to put into position

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It is very thin and made of some sort of plastic or polycarbonate, or blend

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The SET lever is slotted which slips over the two halves

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There is a little flange on the right which slips over the throttle tube, and stops the NEP CC4 from rotating

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here's a closer view of that little flange tab. If the NEP CC4 rotates then you cannot lock your throttle and you cannot lock your speed. On some bikes you have to drill a small hole and use Zip Straps to secure so some other point.

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Here it is, all installed and ready for action

P1010453
(NEP CC4 , V-Strom DL650A K9)

TO SET: get to cruising speed, push DOWN on lever to lock throttle
To RELEASE: push UP

To make fine adjustments, just turn throttle to desired position. The friction zone of the set screw should allow you to do this. ie: to increase speed while going uphill, or decrease speed while going downhill. Remember this is a throttle lock and NOT a cruise control

15 comments:

  1. A great "how to" post. I have been looking at that throttle lock and wasn't quite sure how it worked. Nice description and accompanying pictures. I must admit that on some rides, it sure would be nice to occasionally rest my right hand for a bit.

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  2. Hi Bob

    This looks like a great idea - shame it does not seem to be available in the UK!

    I tried a throttle lock last season made by Wunderlich consisting of a knurled locking ring that replaced the end weight on the 'bar.

    When I had my bike serviced the technician pointed out that it was in fact permanently on...turns out that with the heated grips on it was! I removed it last week. The other issue was that as it was lighter than the bar end weight that it replaced I was feeling quite a bit more vibration.

    Best wishes, N

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  3. So, what did you do with the second throttle locl? Did you install on the left handlebar?

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  4. Richard:

    I had a throttle lock on my old GS1100 back in the 80's, sort of like an earlier Vista Cruise Universal. The NEP comes in two models, sort of the same but with different flanges to stop it from rotating.

    Nikos:

    My first choice would have been a Kaoko Throttle Lock. It comes with a spacer for my OEM handgrips but they are over US$100., by the time I get it in Canada we're looking at around Cdn$150. The NEP was only $28. (or US$20.) The Kaoko replaces the bar end (like a Throttlemeister) and you turn the end to apply friction

    Mr Conchscooter:

    The Vista Cruise Universal is still in its unopened shrink wrap package to be given away, or sold. Will it fit your Tachless, Bonnie? Just have to get it to you

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  5. How do you like the NEP? I've been looking for a decent throttle lock for my SV650, but it's been a bit of a challenge with the handguards and larger grips (heated grips) installed.

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  6. Hi Uncle Bob,

    I just use a rubber band, sometimes two depending what thickness they are, 50cents for a 100 years supply.

    Not sure if I2ll keep the Transalp 100 years though lol.

    Cheers,

    Dave.....

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  7. Just love reading your comments as well as your blog, had to laugh when I got to daves comment, all sounded so technical till dave commented!! well I suppose rubber bands did work all round Europe.

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  8. hahaha - I too had to laugh at Dave's "technical" comment!!!! Rubber band sounds much less complicated to me too Dave!

    Had alot of catching up to do - more great pics to see (your sky is so much bluer than ours)

    Them pink shoes get everywhere.....

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  9. ive been thinking of a thumb throttle lock too. hmmm...

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  10. This is something I always thought I needed on the Katana Bob, my shoulder would get so sore from never having a break. The Iron has one on it from the factory. Now if I just get the nerve to use it someday. In time!

    Love you header!!!!!!

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  11. Chris:

    I have heated grips too which makes the diameter larger than stock, that's why I didn't use the Vista Cruise. I would think that the SV uses the same throttle tube as the DL. I would think that the NEP would work on your bike too. It's simple and it works. It can be removed and installed in seconds, now that I know how to do it

    Dave, Linda & Auntie Bev:

    Are you comparing my NEP with your rubber band ? I can't use a rubber . . . since I have OEM hand guards and can't roll the rubber onto the bar end without taking it all apart. I can't even put a throttle rocker on there

    Ms M:

    with the kind of miles you put on it would bring some wrist relief. what if you wanted to do something else with your Right Hand ?

    Eve:

    Just make sure to use it when there is little traffic and adjust the friction so that you are still able to turn the throttle without much difficulty. I try to use secondary roads where possible, as I dislike the constant speeds of the freeway, but now I will be prepared

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  12. Well thank you for that article Bobskoot. I too had been looking for a throttle lock and seeing your post helped out greatly. I will have to post up how it wirks on the ole KLR.
    -Charlie-

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  13. Dear Bob Skoot:

    This is a pretty cool device, and a very practical one besides. I can think of many times when it is handy to take your right hand off the throttle. My previous K75 had a throttle-locking mechanism that had been on it for 20 years. It would just barely hold the throttle in position, allowing you to easily go up and down the scale without having to fool much with it.

    That unit is long gone now.

    I have a little space between the end of the grip and the front brake cylinder on my current bike and I am going to investigate the installation of this device. Very thorough "how to" piece today.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  14. can you let me know where you got these from, thanks for the post btw good review and images

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  15. This is the same way that I have my NEP installed. It works well, but I often have to operate it with my left hand. That and after three years of use it needs tightening often. It is still a fantastic accessory that adds comfort for little money.

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