Can't turn idle screw

[Philtor]

Forgive me if this issue has been discussed already, I did try searching this forum first, but didn't find any thing that applies to my problem. I have a '99 Interstate that idles too low. I read that the idle knob should be easy to turn by only using fingers. For some reason mine won't turn in either direction by more than just a couple degrees. It feels like it is seized. Anyone have any suggestions?   

[Thunderbolt]

Take pressure off the screw assembly via the throttle.  That should make it easier to turn.  It is normally a gray or black knob or wheel between the first two cylinders on the right side this will be #1 and #3.  You will turn the wheel counterclockwise looking at it from the top to increase the speed. 

[Philtor]

Take pressure off the screw assembly via the throttle.  That should make it easier to turn.  It is normally a gray or black knob or wheel between the first two cylinders on the right side this will be #1 and #3.  You will turn the wheel counterclockwise looking at it from the top to increase the speed. 

I tried your suggestion but it didn't seem to make any difference. It still only turns a few degrees. It's possible just the grey knob is the only thing thats actulally moving those few micro degrees. I'm afraid if I used a tool to force it I might break it. It's diffcult to get at too.

[Thunderbolt]

Are you positive we are talking apples and apples here?  We are both talking about the plastic wheel on the right side between the first two cylinders right?  I think what I would do next if we are on the same page is to take the three screws out of the choke cover on the right side and remove the cover and see if you can get some sort of lubricant on the screw threads.

[Philtor]

If I'm sitting on the bike, it's on the right, between the first two cylinders. It's a grey knob that hangs in a downward direction. I've owned a couple of motorcycles before the Valkyrie, and I've never needed to use anything other than my fingers to adjust the idle, like the Honda manual suggests. I will look at removing the choke cover and see if I can get easier access to it.

Is it common for the idle screw to need lubrication?

[9Ball]

You're idle adjustment screw may already be at the max adjustment.  You'll need to look at the linkages and see if there are other issues preventing the adjustment.

[Patrick]

It seems that you're looking at the right screw. Never heard of one freezing, but, stranger things have happened. It really isn't hard to get at though. Have you tried turning while its cold ? Or have you just tried while the engine was hot ? You may want to remove an intake runner for easier access.

[Thrud]

As noted previously, first relieve some of the pressure on the idle adjustment knob by applying a little throttle.  Also, the knob may be difficult to access if you have large hands and are wearing gloves.  (You are wearing gloves because you're adjusting the idle while at operating temperature, right?)  I find that I have to loosen the screws on the pod a little bit in order to move the pod slightly away from the adjustment screw.  What a PITA!! 

[Ricky-D]

Heck, all this when the first thing to do would be to generously spray the whole area, linkage and all with some PB Blaster or some other kind of spray.

Don't worry about the mess cause it will easily wash off.

I mean, what you really want is to get it working properly, don't you?

***

[Farther]

You're idle adjustment screw may already be at the max adjustment.  You'll need to look at the linkages and see if there are other issues preventing the adjustment.

  Good point.

[Rio Wil]

My guess is since that is a plastic screw and screwed into metal with a fairly stout spring to resist vibrating loose, it is simply frozen in position and will give with a pop when you apply enough torque.......don't be bashful.....another one is only $17 at Bike Bandit........

[GOOSE]

DON'T FORCE ANYTHING .... REPEAT .... DON'T FORCE ANYTHING !!!!  FIRST THAT KNOB TURNS IN CLOCKWISE TO INCREASE RPM'S, AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO DECREASE RPM'S.  TAKE A FLASHLIGHT, AND FOLLOW THE CABLE TO WHERE IT SCREWS IN .... YOU CAN SEE IT .... THEN SPRAY SOME WD-40, OR SUCH ON IT .... LET IT SET, AND IT WILL FREE UP.  THE SCREW END HAS THROUGH ELECTROLOSIS FUSED TOGETHER WITH THE FEMALE PART OF THE LINKAGE .... THIS WILL WORK .... DON'T BREAK IT BY FORCE.

[Rio Wil]

DON'T FORCE ANYTHING .... REPEAT .... DON'T FORCE ANYTHING !!!!  FIRST THAT KNOB TURNS IN CLOCKWISE TO INCREASE RPM'S, AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO DECREASE RPM'S.  TAKE A FLASHLIGHT, AND FOLLOW THE CABLE TO WHERE IT SCREWS IN .... YOU CAN SEE IT .... THEN SPRAY SOME WD-40, OR SUCH ON IT .... LET IT SET, AND IT WILL FREE UP.  THE SCREW END HAS THROUGH ELECTROLOSIS FUSED TOGETHER WITH THE FEMALE PART OF THE LINKAGE .... THIS WILL WORK .... DON'T BREAK IT BY FORCE.

DON"T THINK ELECTROLYSIS WORKS WITH PLASTIC.....

[GOOSE]

BINGO .... YOUR RIGHT .... BUT IT WOULD BE KINDA DUMB  TO PUT THE MO-JO ON IT, AND BREAK IT WHEN GETTING RID OF THE CRUD IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED.

[Philtor]

DON'T FORCE ANYTHING .... REPEAT .... DON'T FORCE ANYTHING !!!!  FIRST THAT KNOB TURNS IN CLOCKWISE TO INCREASE RPM'S, AND COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO DECREASE RPM'S.  TAKE A FLASHLIGHT, AND FOLLOW THE CABLE TO WHERE IT SCREWS IN .... YOU CAN SEE IT .... THEN SPRAY SOME WD-40, OR SUCH ON IT .... LET IT SET, AND IT WILL FREE UP.  THE SCREW END HAS THROUGH ELECTROLOSIS FUSED TOGETHER WITH THE FEMALE PART OF THE LINKAGE .... THIS WILL WORK .... DON'T BREAK IT BY FORCE.

Looking at the idle knob assembly I don't see any crud, no rust, and no corrosion. I'll try some WD-40 just to rule it out.

As noted previously, first relieve some of the pressure on the idle adjustment knob by applying a little throttle.  Also, the knob may be difficult to access if you have large hands and are wearing gloves.  (You are wearing gloves because you're adjusting the idle while at operating temperature, right?)  I find that I have to loosen the screws on the pod a little bit in order to move the pod slightly away from the adjustment screw.  What a PITA!! 

I've tried turning both directions when it was hot (used gloves), warm, and cold with the throttle in various positions and it make no difference. It won't budge.

You're idle adjustment screw may already be at the max adjustment.  You'll need to look at the linkages and see if there are other issues preventing the adjustment.

If it were maxed out, shouldn't I at least be able to turn it counter-clockwise?

When I got the bike it came with a throttle lock on it (looks like a Vista Cruise), is it possbile it could affect the idle adjustment assembly? It doesn't appear to be attached to anything but the handlebar.

[Hook#3287]

You're right.  Throttle lock has nothing to do with the idle set knob.

Sounds like you!re going to have take it apart.

Try what Patrick suggested, remove a couple of intakes.

[Rio Wil]

You simply have a plastic screw sitting in metal threads....tends to freeze a bit.....

[9Ball]

You're idle adjustment screw may already be at the max adjustment.  You'll need to look at the linkages and see if there are other issues preventing the adjustment.

If it were maxed out, shouldn't I at least be able to turn it counter-clockwise?

When I got the bike it came with a throttle lock on it (looks like a Vista Cruise), is it possbile it could affect the idle adjustment assembly? It doesn't appear to be attached to anything but the handlebar.

Maybe not...the screw may have become cross-threaded or bound up.  It was only a suggestion of something to check into.  I agree with removing a few intakes to get better view/access.

You can also check if the linkage is binding at closed throttle by rotating the mechanism manually.

Good luck.