TECH: $6 cruise control

Alright, When doing a long ride my hands fall asleep. I know a lot of newer bikes come with a throttle lock or thumb screw, mine how ever did not. I looked on line and found several places carrying them. Most were ugly or expensive. I'm a cheap ass, so I set out to make my own.
The idea came from my left hand bar end made from a PBR bottle cap. It only took a few beers to come up with the idea.

what you'll need;
JB weld: $5
1 bolt: $0.12 I suggest using coarse thread.
2 washer: $0.16 1 must fit inside the handle bar
nut: $0.12 again, must fit inside the handle bar
Beer bottle cap
small spring: $0.15
Tools:
hammer
drill & bits



1. I removed the throttle assembly.
2. I took 1 washer, sanded it until it fit tightly inside my handle bars.


3. I used a hammer and punch to drive the washer into the bars about the width of the nut.
4. I mixed a small amount of JB weld. I used JB because I don't have a welder at the house and I wasn't sure it was going to work (Don't worry it does)
5. I put the nut on the end of the bolt, just enough to cover the thread; BUT do not go past the end of the nut (JB on the threads will make your task MUCH harder)
6. I applied the JB to the inside of the bars and the outside of the nut. then inserted them into the bars.


disclaimer: I went a little deeper than this; but this made for a better photo.
7. let dry for an hour or so. Have a beer or two.
8. I then drilled out the end of my grip. Large enough for the bolt to fit. You want to go a little larger than the bolt.


9. I then mixed some more JB and appoxied the bolt to the center of the beer cap. Also the spring was added. I ground the head of the bolt down to about 1/8 of an inch, to keep it low profile.


10. Put washer on as well.


11. Screw into the whole at the end of bar.



The spring keeps enough pressure on the bolt that it does not rattle out. When you reach desired speed give it a couple turns clockwise. The pressure from the spring onto the washer, presses against the grip, keeping it in position. The nice thing is you control how tightly it grabs,
Also the bolt is easily removed if you find it unattractive.

Dude. I dig this.

Bitchin.

This is very cool man

so what do you do ta get the throtle control off in emergences an when ya get to desired speed ya gota let the throtle go ta tighten it or reach over with your left hand , i can see this as being named the suicide cruise control a real clasic

Originally Posted by fozz

so what do you do ta get the throtle control off in emergences an when ya get to desired speed ya gota let the throtle go ta tighten it or reach over with your left hand , i can see this as being named the suicide cruise control a real clasic

I thought that to; BUT that's where the spring comes into effect. It only puts enough pressure on the throttle to keep it in place it doesn't actually "lock" anything (basically negating the return spring). You can easily roll the throttle back into place. It's similar to internal throttle assembly where you have to manually twist it forward and back or like the stock thumb screw that comes on many newer throttle assembly.
You don't have to reach over with you left, you give it 2 twist BEFORE you hit the road OR use your small finger.
trust, I did think this through and test it before suggesting it to anyone.

Brilliant! It is simple, sounds effective, cheap to do and timed by beer. Love that shit. I will be using this on my next project bike for sure...Once I can afford another bike.

Thanks man.

great job Silas!!!!

Awesome job dude. Cheap, practical and a little fuckin crazy. I like it.

well done man...i dig it

I'll have to try that, I've been trying to come up with a slick throttle lock myself but never any luck. And yes having the process timed by beer consumption is great.

This is slick.

very cool

Cool, Sighless. I like the Pabst flair.

Will this work with other brands of beer caps? If get a fat tire bottle cap will this setup be more reliable since fat tire is more expensive than pbr??

Originally Posted by lobstermobster

Will this work with other brands of beer caps? If get a fat tire bottle cap will this setup be more reliable since fat tire is more expensive than pbr??

@ lobster- instant style points for Fat Tire, but PBR is the working mans beer resulting in a stronger, more durable cap.

Originally Posted by Jumpstart

@ lobster- instant style points for Fat Tire, but PBR is the working mans beer resulting in a stronger, more durable cap.

You speak the truth. You probably know as well as I do that a prize like Fat tire is something saved for payday.

You've got my vote man!! Cheap, easy and anyone can handle this. Real cool. Although I'm wondering how my Baxters would hold up against the bottle cap. They're made of some pretty soft rubber.

This is definantly more visually appealing than the rubber hose trick. As soon as I get my grip to stop slipping on the throttle tube, I'll be trying this.

Very nice.I used to use the "newspaper rubber band" or even the "gasket maker under the throttle" tricks but this one is pretty cool.