cleaning throttle body

[rozie]

question for guys that have done this...
how do you open the butterflies for cleaning??

do you open with say a toothbrush handle then spray in some sea foam cleaner with engine off.. or
turn ignition switch to on with engine off and turn throttle grip wide open then spray in cleaner??
there is nothing in the service manual about doing this and haveing electronic movement, I dont want to bugger up the throttle calibration by doing this the wrong way. I tried the search method with no luck..

[ldhthept]

No need to turn key on, just twist throttle.

[rozie]

that does not work. 1700s have electronic throttle body. the butterflies are well recessed in the right side housing so I cannot reach them with my finger. Im not shure what the best way is to open them with out doing any harm.

[pete]

I spray the inside of the body 1st, let sit for a minute or 2 then scrub with a toothbrush - use your wifes if shes being a pain of late :)
Then turn on the ignition so I can open butterflies. Spray some cleaner on the toothbrush and give the back section a scrub. Once done, poke a clean rag in there to clean up any residue.
Have not had any starting issues ever.
Replace wifes toothbrush before she gets home.
Cheers, Pete.

[rozie]

job done... turned key on. opened up throttle and sprayed in enough seafoam cleaner to remove most of built up carbon deposit then scrubbed with old toothbrush and sprayed in more seafoam. then rolled bike out side and started up.it took a bit of cranking to fire up at first but when it did it smoked out the whole back yard for a good 10 minutes. when the smoke cleared I went for a 10 minute ride. noticeable difference. no more hesitation when I blip the throttle from idle and a bit more snap when I accellerate. after 34000 klms. I think it needed cleaning.

[pete]

[BonVoyager]

Originally Posted by ldhthept

No need to turn key on, just twist throttle.

Good luck with that. We have a hybrid system, cables that go to a shaft that then goes to a drive by wire throttle actuator that opens the butterflies. Turning The throttle does nothing for opening the butterflies until the key is on and the actuator has power.

[smokier]

Nice report, glad it addressed your concerns!


Ride safe,
Smokier

[bpd214]

I just cleaned mine again by pushing one of the butterfly’s at the top with my finger and putting something at the bottom of the other one to prop them open. Something thick enough to hold them open wide enough to get a toothbrush all around the inside of the throttle body. I use Sea Foam on the brush and it gets all the carbon buildup out of the throttle body. Use a cloth to wipe everything out. Be sure to clean both sides. Smooth idle!