Further to your request for pictures and information, I thought it easier to post them on here so you can see them and forward to CSP as required.
I must state from the very beginning that I have only done around 150 miles with this setup before the throttle kept seizing on me in the open position, and after stripping the set apart and closer inspection, I am absolutely disgusted with the poor quality of parts that you have supplied. I paid a lot of money for this linkage, and I feel that after you have read and digested these pictures, that you will also be very ashamed of what you have supplied.
The CSP linkage was of exceptionally poor quality right out of the packet.
The instructions said to remove the OEM linkage from the carbs, and fit the CSP linkage instead. As you can see from this picture, the throttle stop arm on the new linkage plate does not come anywhere near the adjusting screw on the carb. This is just badly made.
And whilst we are mentioning the poor quality of this part, I also have to mention the bad way it fits on the shaft, and if you look at the shaped hole with flat sides that goes over the shaft, you will notice that the shape allows for a lot of rotational movement making it impossible to balance the carbs correctly.
The kit was fitted in accordance with the instructions, although I did not use the above catb plates and opted to keep the Alfa Romeo links as they were of superior quality. Despite the instructions asking to remove the return springs from the carbs, I kept both of them in place as well as the extra spring on the hex bar, as I wanted to ensure that the throttle snapped shut immediately. Had I not done this, then I am certain that I may have been killed on the M5 when the throttle refused to shut.
The linkage as fitted was indeed silky smooth in its operation, but did not seem to react very quickly. I put this down to the use of Rose Joints instead or conventional bearings, but I fugured that you had supplied me this kit as the "premium" version, and that you knew best. I had always been led to beleive that Rose Joints were for use with axial and lateral movements, and not rotational. I have been proved right.
Although the picture does not show it, there is plenty of room around the linkage, and nothing will foul its operation throughout its travel.
Starting with the Left hand end, with the supposedly sliding rod, it was fitted in a way that the rose joint was positioned half way along the shaft working on the theory that any expansion of the engine would allow movement either way.
I am appalled by your comments that CSP are actually aware that these joints are stiff, because its this stiffness that is causing them to be dangerous. Here you can see taht they are so stiff that they do not return nor move under their own weight of the heavy end, and this is supposed to allow high speed and rapid shut off for the carb? I think not.
You asked me to measure the sliding bar at the end, as I said it was a stiff fit, and I think this picture will show that it does not need measuring, and it also shows that under the gravitational weight of the Rose Joint, that neither the Joint itself, nor the tolerance of the sliding bar is allowing it to move freely. Remember this is the joint that stops fuel being added when children are stepping off the pavement in front of you.
Now its easy to see why the sliding bar is oversized, and that is because the thread has not been comepletely machined off, and the grooves can still be seen. Using a threaded section as a rotational bearing is just a receipe for disaster, as it will allow dirt and debris to eventually creep in.
One of the vertical links felt a bit "gritty" and upon closer inspecion, the internal coil, that acts as a bearing retainer can be seen to be very pitted and not of a smooth shape as required for correct operation. 2 out of four of these ball joints were of a similar state. Again, this is just bad quality control.
Looking at the right hand end of the hex bar, something tells me that fitted like this with the spring under tension, that it should not be possible to allow it to sit flat on the deck for a photograph. The Rose Joint has also siezed in place.
Closer inspection of the internal bearing surface shows the culprit, as it is badly pitted with a poor surface. This is supposed to be a brand new bearing.
I think you will agree that these pictures show a very poor quality product, and virtually every single piece has failed in some form or another. I do not have to remind you of the consequences that could have happend as a direct result of this had I not managed to bring the vehicle under control. I am however, bloody annoyed that you charged me a premium price for this piece of junk, and I think that the least you can do whilst holding your heads in shame is to offer me a refund in full against this as a goodwill gesture.
I eagerly await your comments, and at the very least, a phone call with an explanation as to how you could allow this to happen.
David Watts