Adding a Vista-Cruise throttle lock to a 6th gen

Over the years, I’ve had several different devices to hold the throttle, simple clamps, bar-end friction locks, even a fully electronic automotive-style cruise control. My favorite has always been the Vista-Cruise thumb actuated friction lock. Simple, easy on-off, reliable. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a model specifically for the VFR. Since it’s such a simple device, I’ve been able to modify them to fit before, so I was confident I would be able to do so again.

I ordered the standard generic Honda model from Amazon, but as what seems to be happening more often, I received model #074044, which is specified for Yamaha bikes. The Honda model has plastic tabs that fit between the throttle cables to keep is from rotating, but can be kind of a loose fit, while the Yamaha model has a couple of metal brackets that seem to hold it in position firmly. I guess Amazon knew what I needed, not what I wanted – our machine overlords know what’s best for us. If you want to make sure you get the one for a Yamaha and not take a chance on the Amazon lottery, here is a link to the Dennis Kirk site: https://www.denniskirk.com/sound-of...-for-yamaha-mcvicy-p.p1912143.prd/1912143.sku

One of the metal brackets is designed to mount on the throttle cable of a Yamaha. To make it fit on my Honda, I used a Dremel to make the opening wider so it would fit around the threads on one of the throttle cables. I loosened the nut, slipped the bracket on, tightened the nut and it was done. After removing the hand grip, I saw the stock plastic throttle barrel had a raised ridge right where the throttle lock needed to clamp. Using a sanding drum on the Dremel, I ground the ridge down until it was smooth with the rest of the barrel. The throttle lock had a mounting tab that was a little too long for what I needed, so I cut it down, and after sliding it over the throttle barrel, it slid right into the metal bracket. Reinstalling the grip, I made sure not to put pressure against the throttle lock, which would cause it to bind. I added the bar end weight, and the job was done.

The lock tab is easy to access with my thumb, low enough to be out of the way, but high enough to still reach under it for the starter button. At full lock, it clears the gas tank by around 3/4". All in all, it probably took me around an hour and cost less than $25.

Here is the modified bracket:


Here is the bracket mounted in place (you can see where I ground the ridge off the throttle barrel):


Here is the unmodified throttle lock, I had to cut the tab off the bottom:


Here it is with the tab cut:


Here it is mounted in place:


And with the grip on:


Finished install from above:


Starter button access:

 

only two pictures are there, at least for me. The modified bracket & starter button access. But, thanks for sharing. I would really like to put something on my bike.

 

Anyone else having trouble viewing all the pictures? I tried from my work computer, and they all worked for me.

Keager, try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.

 

all photo's visible for me

 

Saw all pictures. Looking to get something similar

 

I had the same one on my bike when I bought it, it did touch the tank on full lock though. There is a little part of the Honda tank logo missing because of it. I actually cut some of the end off so that it does not contact any more and though it's now a little shorter it still operates easily. It's a great product, I use it all of the time.

 

I just installed the vista on my 2001 and I see the same thing with the tank.

I actually won the lottery and got the Honda double cable version. The only thing I needed to do was shave down the rib between the grip and the throttle cable cam.

Have had time to ride, but I can wait to try it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Interesting to see how different people tackle these installs..

Sadly it seems the old Rattlebars website is no more, but a quick delve into the web archive machine tracked down the solution which I went with - and indeed many years later their "upside down install" is still working fine on my 6th Gen.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070629075740/http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/invisible.html

SkiMad