Had Stuck Throttle....

1981 KZ750E (running a going down back road at about 45 mph, fifth gear, whacked throttle open and hold for 3-4 seconds and ease off - but it ain't easing off! Start braking...pull the clutch, valves are floating, where the heck is the kill switch!?..no that's the flasher..need 'em anyway..there it is..whew!..ok pull over...WTF??!! :ohmy:

Was out for a spin after finally getting the carbs cleaned and everything adjusted, idle etc (after three tries following a long layover). A lttle soft off the line but just slip the clutch a bit more. Running great otherwise. I checked everything out after stopping and the throttle was closed, started up fine, revved a few times and nothing out of the ordinary. Rode home a little careful to stay out of the throttle too hard - everything running normal and fine. Got home and parked in the garage - checked back in ten and found a small (3"-4") puddle of oil on the floor and noticed oil dripping slowly from the air box drain.

Questions: Any ideas on the throttle sticking open? Is the oil in the air box a symptom of something or just the result of the high rpm/no load fun? Thanks for any thoughts!

Bad for gas milage...NO????

Oil in airbox - how have you been checking your oil level? ed

It was definitely at the top end of the sight glass - I suppose that could account for it. I'll try pulling a bit out or just changing it - it has low miles but it's been a while since I changed it.
Thanks

How old's the throttle cable? One or more strands of the steel cable may have frayed inside the sheath, causing the binding. Or where it joins to the throttle grip.

Oh, as old as the bike - on inspection, I can see the metal of the cable sheath right at where it connects to the throttle housing. I might have pulled on the cable a bit removing and replacing the carbs multiple times. Will give it a closer look - and make double sure nothing is possibly getting caught in the linkage. Thanks

Unless someone has changed the throttle it should be a "push/pull" type. So you should have been able to close the throttle by twisting the throttle grip hard to the closed position. If you follow the Kawasaki Service Manual when adjusting the throttle you will notice it provides the ability to force the carbs fully shut. I suggest you check to make sure this is operating ok before riding again. Ed