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Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:45 pm
by daz
I've replaced the larger diameter bars the previous owner installed. They hogged out the ID of the controls to fit the larger bars. I'm having a time with the throttle. Tightening the throttle clamp throws the alignment of the throttle tube out of sinc with the bars. So there is friction. The throttle sticks. I assume others have had this problem. Is there a solution or does someone have a throttle setup for a '71 R50 for sale? This control has the switch built in so later controls add to the problem. Shim with a beer can?
I'd really like that throttle to be very smooth. Remember it's a 500 with slide carburetors. Thanks.
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:36 pm
by sterob
I'd concede defeat and buy new handlebar controls and have piece of mind.
The PO has gone down a dead end....
Not worth the pain, but thats just me....
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:43 pm
by Rob
Yep - check with the usual breakers.
Now don't you wish you had a time machine so you could go back and stop that guy?
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:49 am
by Major Softie
You could shim them, but the others are right that replacement is the best solution. No where near the cheapest, but best.
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:08 am
by daz
Thank you guys. I was just hoping someone had another solution. I'll bite the bullet and look for a good used replacement. Ideas?
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:22 pm
by jagarra
I checked e-bay and saw a couple there, prices ran from under $40 to under $50.00. They seem to have the biggest selection.
Pretty nice one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Airhead-R50 ... _686wt_866
gg
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:50 pm
by Duane Ausherman
Please tell me the difference between the throttles on the various size engines for any one year? I musta forgotten.
Just got home and am putting out fires. I "think" that I have one listed on eBay that should end tomorrow, Tuesday.
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:18 pm
by daz
Duane, your real BMW bars should be 22 mm. Other bars measure 7/8 inch. Sometimes it creates a problem to use other than stock BMW bars or the equivalent. For me the throttle was not smooth on the oversized 7/8 bars. The previous owner filed and sanded the bar under the throttle tube to no avail and he hogged out the ID of the clamping ring on the throttle to accommodate the larger bars. So under jagarra's advice I purchased a used throttle control housing from ebay. Thanks jagarra.
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:23 pm
by daz
Duane Ausherman wrote:Please tell me the difference between the throttles on the various size engines for any one year? I musta forgotten.
Just got home and am putting out fires. I "think" that I have one listed on eBay that should end tomorrow, Tuesday.
Heck, I answered the wrong question. Extra credit?
I think up to 1973 the throttle control had an additional switch on it rather than beside it? I guess I'm guessing.
Re: Handle Bar Diameter
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:51 pm
by Bamboo812
Nope, it was the clutch perch that got the starter cutoff switch in '74, last year of the old style perches. Throttle perches always had the brake switch. I think Duane was being facetious...