Each time we test a Johnny Campbell replica race bike, every test rider raves how perfect the riding position and control setup are. It helps that JC starts with a Honda, and the company takes extreme pride in its human engineering. But any one of Campbell's bikes rises above the Honda family genes. At least half of the reason is that JC is a good test rider, with a clean and correct riding style. He's just on the tall side of average and sets up his bikes with an eye toward the long run. The other part of the control setup is Precision Concepts technician Eric Siraton and his attention to detail. Ever since Siraton and PC owner Bob Bell started working with Campbell, his bikes have had zero mechanical failures. When we contemplated a story on control efforts, we knew exactly who to call. We borrowed a clean-looking, apparently wellmaintained 2006 Honda CRF450R as a guinea pig. Despite appearing clean and nice, the control efforts were hard and the throttle didn't return cleanly. It just looked like it had been washed thoroughly and a little too often.
 01 Siraton started with the...  01 Siraton started with the throttle, because that's the most critical safety issue. It sported a new, wired grip, but it had obviously been slipping. The waffle side of a half-waffle grip shouldn't be up like this one. |  02 The entire throttle was...  02 The entire throttle was taken apart and the throttle tube came off the bar in order to inspect all of the individual parts for damage and wear. The cables weren't kinked and the housing was intact. |  03 There was no unusual wear...  03 There was no unusual wear on this internal cable guide, and the throttle cables weren't kinked or frayed, but there was dirt inside the housing where there shouldn't be any. |
 04 A heavy lubricant that...  04 A heavy lubricant that looked like anti-seize had been used under the throttle tube, and it had turned sticky and abrasive. The handlebar had this step worn in it. Aluminum can easily break when scored like this. |  05 Every part of the throttle...  05 Every part of the throttle was cleaned and not merely spritzed with an aerosol cleaner. Siraton wiped every internal surface in addition to using contact cleaner. He does this level of cleaning for every race! |  06 Siraton prefers a new...  06 Siraton prefers a new throttle tube with the stock grip glued at the factory. He left the throttle parts soaking with Hondaline silicone spray inside. The tube gets a quick shot inside, then is turned opening down to drain. |
 07 We had to replace the...  07 We had to replace the Renthal bar with a new one, and the surface where the throttle tube rides was treated with Hondaline silicone spray. Siraton likes the silicone since it doesn't attract dirt as easily as oil-based lubes. |  08 The cables are cleaned...  08 The cables are cleaned and pressure-lubed with silicone spray before being worked in and out to spread the liquid through the housing. Make sure that the throttle cables run parallel and aren't twisted. |  09 Despite being glued at...  09 Despite being glued at the factory so it shouldn't slip, the grip gets two double wraps of fine stainless steel safety wire as insurance. The wire mostly prevents water from getting under the grip. |
 10 Almost all of the controls...  10 Almost all of the controls on modern bikes can run dry and feel decent. However, once you lube the pivots, levers and cables, they must be cleaned and lubed regularly. The benefit is smooth action and avoiding wear like this pivot bolt exhibits. |  11 Siraton and Campbell swear...  11 Siraton and Campbell swear by the Works Connection Elite perch. It uses this billet lever with a bearing in the pivot point, but washing will eventually ruin the bearing, so it needs to be checked routinely. |  12 Once the bearing wears,...  12 Once the bearing wears, you can switch to a stock lever, but you get a slightly harder, less-smooth clutch pull and release. These nubs on the front of the lever (arrow) must be filed off to work with the Elite perch. |
 13 Siraton begins working...  13 Siraton begins working on the other side of the bar by gluing on a grip. He uses small tubes of Super Glue he buys in an eight-pack at Home Depot. One tube will do two grips. You have to work very fast with the Super Glue. |  14 Slide on the grip and...  14 Slide on the grip and spin it a bit to spread the glue, then rapidly position the grip. Siraton uses this pin from the glue to let air and excess glue out. The grip should be ready to use in minutes. |  15 The clutch cable showed...  15 The clutch cable showed some fraying,so it was replaced with a new stock cable. Pay attention to the routing. The manual shows it, and Siraton likes the stock routing. |