Author Topic: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies  (Read 349 times)

Offline Kaladin

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sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« on: November 07, 2025, 04:17:39 PM »
1.  Is the sacred screw only a matter of idle quality, or is there something that I don't anticipate?   My red Norge idles very rough, and the paint is missing from the sacred screw.  Obviously it has been ridden thousands of miles in this condition, and I would normally live with it,  but because I am used to my silk smooth silver Norge it is annoying.  The stepper motor was bypassed 12 years ago.

2.  If I opted to buy some used throttle bodies and stepper motor to try to improve it, will the 8 valve throttle bodies work with the 4 valve engine, or do I have to be specific?  They seem to be easier to find.

Thanks
mark
First you look where it should be, then you look where it might be, then you look where it won't be, then you look where it mustn't be.  And when you find it you discover "that's where it should have been."
2007 Norge Silver
2007 Norge Red
2000 BMW R1150GS
2003 Jaguar XKR

Offline Bulldog9

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2025, 04:54:04 PM »
1.  Is the sacred screw only a matter of idle quality, or is there something that I don't anticipate?   My red Norge idles very rough, and the paint is missing from the sacred screw.  Obviously it has been ridden thousands of miles in this condition, and I would normally live with it,  but because I am used to my silk smooth silver Norge it is annoying.  The stepper motor was bypassed 12 years ago.

2.  If I opted to buy some used throttle bodies and stepper motor to try to improve it, will the 8 valve throttle bodies work with the 4 valve engine, or do I have to be specific?  They seem to be easier to find.

Thanks
mark

Huzo did some experimenting and wrote on this a while back.

It is the factory set of the TB's throttle stop/idle speed, and very difficult to get right once messed with. There are two on the TB, the one on the bellcrank is OK to touch for syncing the TBs (high speed 3Krpm), the other is 'sacred' should not be touched, and is the setscrew that your throttle stop comes up against. Both have paint.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2025, 04:55:07 PM by Bulldog9 »
MGNOC#23231
The Living: 1976 Convert, 2004 Breva 750, 2007 GRiSO, 2008 1200 Sport, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742
The Departed: 2017 MGX, 2014 Norge GT, 
In Stasis: 1978 XS750, XS1100SF

Offline Kaladin

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2025, 05:16:05 PM »
I understand, and wouldn't mess with it, but I bought it pre-violated.  I suspect that one of the prior owners was trying to get it to idle correctly with the stepper motor removed.

So since it is already messed with, I am wondering if it is just an idle problem.
First you look where it should be, then you look where it might be, then you look where it won't be, then you look where it mustn't be.  And when you find it you discover "that's where it should have been."
2007 Norge Silver
2007 Norge Red
2000 BMW R1150GS
2003 Jaguar XKR

Online Tom H

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2025, 05:47:44 PM »
I think Roper did a write up on the Norge TB's. You might do a search for that on your favorite search engine. IIRR it's basically like resetting a V11.

Tom
2004 Cali EV Touring
1972 Eldo
1970 Ambo V1000
1973 R75/5 SWB with Toaster
1973 R75/5 LWB
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1953 Triumph 6T (one day it will be on the road!)

Offline guzzi ride

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2025, 06:25:19 PM »
2.  If I opted to buy some used throttle bodies and stepper motor to try to improve it, will the 8 valve throttle bodies work with the 4 valve engine, or do I have to be specific?  They seem to be easier to find.

The 8V TB's will not work on your 2 valve motor.

Offline Pescatore

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2025, 09:59:03 PM »
Does it idle rough at any engine temperature?
Maybe it's not TB related.
2008 Norge red
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Offline blackcat

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2025, 06:31:23 AM »
I would start with the easy stuff first, adjust the valves and have you tried balancing the throttle bodies? Do you have Guzzidiag and have you reset the TPS?  I disconnected the stepper motor on my 07 Norge around 08 and never had a problem adjusting the idle.
1968 Norton Fastback
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Offline Kaladin

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2025, 12:05:53 PM »
Does it idle rough at any engine temperature?
Maybe it's not TB related.
Yes, at any temperature.
First you look where it should be, then you look where it might be, then you look where it won't be, then you look where it mustn't be.  And when you find it you discover "that's where it should have been."
2007 Norge Silver
2007 Norge Red
2000 BMW R1150GS
2003 Jaguar XKR

Offline Kaladin

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2025, 12:08:19 PM »
I would start with the easy stuff first, adjust the valves and have you tried balancing the throttle bodies? Do you have Guzzidiag and have you reset the TPS?  I disconnected the stepper motor on my 07 Norge around 08 and never had a problem adjusting the idle.
I have reset the TPS and changed the inner spark plugs.   I'll try balancing the throttle bodies today after the game.
First you look where it should be, then you look where it might be, then you look where it won't be, then you look where it mustn't be.  And when you find it you discover "that's where it should have been."
2007 Norge Silver
2007 Norge Red
2000 BMW R1150GS
2003 Jaguar XKR

Offline Bison

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2025, 05:52:48 AM »
Hello folks,
If the sacred screw has been played around with would both the plugs be the same colour?
If you have done all the above you could try the CO2 trim?. My 2007 was snatchy at low revs and the gearbox clattered at idle. I have a Beetle map. My CO2 trim read zero, I adjusted it to +2, the difference is marked, the gearbox clatter has all but gone, and when tested it will pull smoothly from 30mph in 6th,(not that I would recommend it). I'm checking to see what the fuel consumption is like, but the plugs look ok, perhaps slightly rich, if it's using much more fuel I'll adjust it back to +1.
Alan.

Offline Bulldog9

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Re: sacred screw and alternate throttle bodies
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2025, 10:08:36 AM »
I understand, and wouldn't mess with it, but I bought it pre-violated.  I suspect that one of the prior owners was trying to get it to idle correctly with the stepper motor removed.

So since it is already messed with, I am wondering if it is just an idle problem.

Understood. The throttle stop is related to idle speed and orientation of the TPS, the bellcrank and air bleeds balance the TBs at speed and at idle. I was just pointing out that both are painted, and can be confused.

As Blackcat says, Fresh Valve Adjust and TB balance should help. I'm sure I will get shot here, but when you do the High Speed Balance with the bellcrank, the air bleeds should be completely closed, and then when you adjust the balance at idle you should start with them fully closed. You MAY be able to increase base idle speed by opening the bleeds more. The increased air will do what the Stepper Motor does by allowing more air to bypass the throttle plates.

A few other things
- Make sure the vacuum ports and EVAP lines are not leaking.
- Make sure the Stepper motor ports are completely blocked.
- Use GUZZI DIAG to reset all fuel trims and clear learning parameters
- Make sure the motor is up to proper running temps before doing the balance
- Is your stepper truly FUBAR? Missing?

You will get it it straight!
MGNOC#23231
The Living: 1976 Convert, 2004 Breva 750, 2007 GRiSO, 2008 1200 Sport, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742
The Departed: 2017 MGX, 2014 Norge GT, 
In Stasis: 1978 XS750, XS1100SF

 

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