ST1100 Idle Cable

[Oldbikefixr]

Kind of annoying so I thought I'd pass this one on.
On two occasions, our 1991 had some issues while riding.
First was it wouldn't idle at a stop light....was just fine at the previous light. Just had to keep the rpm's up 'til I found a safe parking lot to pull into. Popped up the filler hatch and found the idle cable had popped out of the little plastic retainer. Snapped it back in, reset the idle and she ran just fine.
Second was yesterday.....It acted as though it had lost a plug or two. Acceleration to 3000 rpm was miserable, over that it ran fine. I checked the idle adjust cable as an after thought as the plugs and wires were fine. The darned idle cable was out of its mount again. I snapped it back into place and.......runs just fine.
I checked the routing and the cable appears fine, not rubbing or pinched.
Two different issues, same cause. If it happens again, I'll likely drill a little hole in the molded in mount to accept a zip tie...easy to remove for maintenance.
Just thought I'd pass that on.

 

[Upt' North]

Kind of annoying so I thought I'd pass this one on.
On two occasions, our 1991 had some issues while riding.
First was it wouldn't idle at a stop light....was just fine at the previous light. Just had to keep the rpm's up 'til I found a safe parking lot to pull into. Popped up the filler hatch and found the idle cable had popped out of the little plastic retainer. Snapped it back in, reset the idle and she ran just fine.
Second was yesterday.....It acted as though it had lost a plug or two. Acceleration to 3000 rpm was miserable, over that it ran fine. I checked the idle adjust cable as an after thought as the plugs and wires were fine. The darned idle cable was out of its mount again. I snapped it back into place and.......runs just fine.
I checked the routing and the cable appears fine, not rubbing or pinched.
Two different issues, same cause. If it happens again, I'll likely drill a little hole in the molded in mount to accept a zip tie...easy to remove for maintenance.
Just thought I'd pass that on.

I definitely found mine popped out every now and again (please gentlemen, keep it clean) but it never seemed to upset er like that.
I was thinking zip tie.

 

[DeanR]

Mine is usually found to have slipped out of the slot in the rubber fuel tank tray, if that is what you're referring to. Has never been a problem.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

I'll likely drill a little hole in the molded in mount to accept a zip tie...easy to remove for maintenance

BTDT years ago. I don’t see how a loose idle adjust cable would cause your reported symptoms though….

John

 

[Al st1100]

Maybe the cable it routed wrong and interferring with choke linkage. Never had an issue with that cable when I had my 1100.

 

[Larry Fine]

The idle-speed cable's knob's physical position should have no effect on the engine.

 

[Oldbikefixr]

BTDT years ago. I don’t see how a loose idle adjust cable would cause your reported symptoms though….

John

I never suspected either.....especially two different symptoms.

 

[Uncle Phil]

I never suspected either.....especially two different symptoms.

Unless somehow the cable was somehow binding up the throttle pulley (double backed or something).

 

[afrymoyer]

The throttle cables, choke cable and idle speed adjust cable are all separate and cannot interfere with each other.

Over the years, I have seen something only twice that you may want to check. There is a spring down at the throttle bellcrank that keeps tension on the the idle adjust cable. Twice, I have seen this spring missing, allowing the cable to back off and drop the idle speed so far, one of the carb butterflies got stuck on one of them. The other would barely hold idle speed and the owner had to keep adjusting the idle.

I’ve also seen this spring lose tension and requires constant adjustment.

I don’t know how far back you know the history of the bike, but have a look for this spring.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Your post relates to problems related to the idle speed adjustment cable while your thread is titled choke cable. You might want to correct that for the benefit of future searchers on the forum.

 

[Oldbikefixr]

Your post relates to problems related to the idle speed adjustment cable while your thread is titled choke cable. You might want to correct that for the benefit of future searchers on the forum.

That's what I get for not proofing my typing!

 

[Oldbikefixr]

The throttle cables, choke cable and idle speed adjust cable are all separate and cannot interfere with each other.

Over the years, I have seen something only twice that you may want to check. There is a spring down at the throttle bellcrank that keeps tension on the the idle adjust cable. Twice, I have seen this spring missing, allowing the cable to back off and drop the idle speed so far, one of the carb butterflies got stuck on one of them. The other would barely hold idle speed and the owner had to keep adjusting the idle.

I’ve also seen this spring lose tension and requires constant adjustment.

I don’t know how far back you know the history of the bike, but have a look for this spring.

I've had the bike for a bit over ten years. I rebuilt the carbs three years back. The first occurrence was about a year after. Most recent was earlier this week. I think I need to check the linkage and cable...maybe a spring issue as afrymoyer suggested. It's almost time to change the air filter anyway.

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