Installation of Visa Cruise Control (or not)

[ken]

Boy, today proves that I shouldn’t handle anything more complicated than a sheet of paper. Got my Vista Cruise Control in the mail today and decided to try and install it. And yes, I did manage in the end but…..
First of all, I managed to drop the little plastic piece that runs in front of the right-side handlebar switch box. Of course, it had to fall into the bike rather on to the garage floor. COULD NOT find the damn thing :'( until I got a flashlight and then had to use a chop stick to push it out of the narrow space (between cooling fan and engine) it fell into. OK, got one part mounted and then struggled with the piece that fits over the accelerator. Now I have to insert screw into thumb switch while squeezing the spring-loaded clip together (which doesn’t work too well when the spring-loaded clip is in the tightest position) :-[. Once I figured that out and loosened up the clip, I finally got the screw into position and tightened it down. Whew !!!
Never again will I believe you types who say “oh, it was easy.” Ha !!!!! Thank goodness I didn’t opt for the more expensive and more complicated unit what was discussed.
Just my thoughts

[simdog]

The flip-a-lever goes on in about 30 seconds. Remove a screw, put flip-a-lever in place, replace screw, adjust as needed. :)

[jmax5105]

Can you still buy the flip-a-lever throttle locks anywhere?

[fish]

Boy, today proves that I shouldn’t handle anything more complicated than a sheet of paper. Got my Vista Cruise Control in the mail today and decided to try and install it. And yes, I did manage in the end but…..
First of all, I managed to drop the little plastic piece that runs in front of the right-side handlebar switch box. Of course, it had to fall into the bike rather on to the garage floor. COULD NOT find the damn thing :'( until I got a flashlight and then had to use a chop stick to push it out of the narrow space (between cooling fan and engine) it fell into. OK, got one part mounted and then struggled with the piece that fits over the accelerator. Now I have to insert screw into thumb switch while squeezing the spring-loaded clip together (which doesn’t work too well when the spring-loaded clip is in the tightest position) :-[. Once I figured that out and loosened up the clip, I finally got the screw into position and tightened it down. Whew !!!
Never again will I believe you types who say “oh, it was easy.” Ha !!!!! Thank goodness I didn’t opt for the more expensive and more complicated unit what was discussed.
Just my thoughts

sounds like me, if it states a 15 minutes job, hell, it takes me 15 minutes to open the package :-[ you forgot one more thing, can't see the dang small screws :(

[simdog]

Can you still buy the flip-a-lever throttle locks anywhere?

Yep ... got mine off ebay. I got mine for $49 shipped last year. They're now $57 + shipping. Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycle-Cruise-Control-Throttle-Lock-Kawasaki-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3367352606QQitemZ22077 4868486QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[schoeney]

Welcome to my world. At least you didn't have leftover parts or bust your knuckles http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[leadbelly]

That's an interesting Trike Simdog.... How do you open the saddle bags?

[simdog]

That's an interesting Trike Simdog.... How do you open the saddle bags?

I replaced the stock hinges with special ones from the conversion kit manufacturer. Instead of opening outward, they open just slightly outward, and the doors raise up and down. I still get full use from them if needed.

[ken]

Haven't tested the cruise control on the road yet, but after lying in bed and thinking (do my best thinking there - less painful), I realized I had failed to tighten one screw. Will get to it in a few minutes. Glad to know there are other folks out there with two left hands like me. I think my mechanic is becoming rich off of me....

[vulcans2]

Never heard of the Flip a lever throttle control. Interesting. Since my Nomad has cruise, I don't need one, but my wife's 900LT doesn't have anything, and she needs a throttle control. She adamantly dislikes the VistaCruise control, so I ponied up the $199 and got her the BrakeAway throttle control. This is a well made unit, made from aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel. It has the unique feature of being able to disable it either by pushing the lever on the backside of it with your thumb, or lightly tapping the front brake lever. In either case, it snaps off quickly. In case of emergency, the first thing a rider does it grab for the brakes. If the throttle control is on, with a VistaCruise or other such units, the device remains engaged, which could be dangerous. With the BrakeAway contol, it's immediately disengaged when you pull the brake lever. It was spendy, but well worth it, especially if it's something that makes it safer for her.

[ken]

I think the breakaway is certainly the better product, but the Vista cruise control is OK if one just wants to relax the right arm and hand for a few minutes. In the final adjustment, the instructions point out that one should be able to off the throttle by hand....in other words, the grip of the control should not be so tight as to not allow the rider to down throttle even if the control is still engaged. I tested it today and I need to adjust mine a bit tighter as it was not holding speed as well as it should. Just a minor twist on a screw head and voila !!!