Sticky throttle cable?

[DimitriT]

This is the first week of owning my first bike (1982 GS550L). So far I am loving it. There's a couple of little problems I'm seeing.

When I let off the throttle to shift gears and grab the clutch the engine will sometime rev up on its own. I have to wait a little (like a second) before shifting and letting out the clutch or I will jerk the bike.

Is this a sticky cable? The bike has very low miles but had been sitting in storage for years.

Carbs have been professionally serviced and the bike has been tuned up. Runs great otherwise.

Any tips on how to lube cables (clutch, throttle, choke, brake). I have a can of chain lube but don't understand how to get the lube on the cable.

[Pete Logan]

Assuming it's an oil type lube and not graphite powder, here's a link to an easy and free way to do it:

http://www.harleyhog.co.uk/clutchcableoiling.htm

Who says Harley guys aren't friendly and helpful

Pete

[Clone]

If you blip the throttle from an idle does it return to idle immediately or work its way back down?
ex:
1000rpm-blip-2000rpm-1000rpm
as opposed to
1000rpm-blip-2000rpm-1700-1500-1200-1000idle

Sitting on the center stand looking at the carbs when you blip the throttle you will see if it returns quickly or not. If not, you can shoot some lube into the cable with an adapter, or like I do, disconnect it hold it verticle and shoot some lube in work the sleeve up and down a little shoot more work sleeve repeat until all the rusty stuff stops comin' out the bottom, if there is a lot of rusty crud or the sleeve feels like it is sliding on sand paper, the inside is really rusted and should be replaced.

Now if the throttle cable returns quickly and the linkage returns to the stops quickly and the rpms stay up and slowly return then the problem is inside the carbs and will require one of the other experts to deal with it.
What's 8) is that there are a bunch here

[Anonymous]

Could his choke just be sticking?