Moto Guzzi Club of Queensland Forum

Flew to Qld yesterday & paid for the Le mans MkV. One thing I noticed is the heavy throttle. Not being around Guzzi's before, is this something you get used to or is there something I can do? I had a fairly big accident about ten years ago & have lost some strength in my wrists.

Thanks again for your help

Warren,

It's a typical Carbed Guzzi trait. I'm sure there are others on here with a solution to this. My take is to replace the carb slide return springs from a suitable Ducati. Ensure that the throttle cables are well lubed and the cables follow a route that creates smooth bends. Polishing of the carb slides will help the return with the lighter springs as well.

Thanks for this I'll go & visit my local Ducati shop

The MK V has the PHF 40's with the bell tops. Evidently you can fit a lighter slide spring from a PHF 30, part No 1793 7167. (Guzziology)

If this isn't enough then you will need to change from bell tops to flat tops to remove the side lever spring from the equation. This will also involve new throttle cables as they have a different end.

The MK III has PHF 36's. There is no easy spring replacement for them.

Thanks Rod

In the process of putting kits through my PHF36's in the Le Mans, I noticed that the throttle spindles at the top of the carbs (the shafts that the levers turn) were very stiff. Lubed them with WD40 to free them and then with light machine oil and lubed the cables (NOT with Chain Lube but with light machine oil) and now they are beautifully smooth and light compared to what they were.

I've found that chain lube in cables is not a good idea. They end up getting very stiff and "doughy" especially when cold.

Have a look and give it a try.

Hi,

Had the same problem with my MkV, mainly on longer trips. At the time Martin Harvey in VIC was selling replacement throttle kits for the Le Mans comprising of new springs, flat tops, elbows, featherlight cables, tomaselli throttle and grips, worked a treat but had to also obtain a new kill switch as the one piece switch/throttle is replaced. A switch for a Ducati 851 is a good replacement as it has the same period style switches but is the right width.
The only down side is that you need to do a bit more work on the carb synch. but thoroughly recommend the swap. One hint - with the MkV that has the dash style instruments (as opposed to the MkIII/IV style on early MkV's) you need to install the new tomaselli throttle upside down with the cables pointing up then routed over to the top of the headstock and down under the tank to the carbs.

Cheers,

Guzzilemansv