Topic: New throttle cables?

[Kevin D]

This off season, I’m trying to replace old parts on my CB that might put me on the side of the road.
I’m happy to say this bike has been utterly reliable.

My throttle cables are 50 years old, as is just about everything else on this CB. They have not given me any trouble at all, and they may be higher quality than any replacement cables.
I have read that the return cable also works as a pull cable.
Inspect/lube and good for another 50 years?

The clutch cable was replaced about 5 years ago. I had roughed up the old cable removing it, but the old cable is still adequate for emergency use.

 Yamiya newsletter arrived today with a new item, carb needles, recommended for 836cc.

[Stev-o]

My throttle cables are 50 years old, as is just about everything else on this CB. They have not given me any trouble at all, and they may be higher quality than any replacement cables.

Hey Kevin...that is so true, I had an aftermarket throttle cable fail on my '74 Kawasaki, it was less than two years old.

Have you searched for Honda OEM cables yet?  There may be some out there?

Just an example here, doesnt really look like NOS.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173883695598?epid=1150240787&hash=item287c46a1ee:g:T1gAAOSww9BcwT9H

[Kevin D]

Yes, both Yamiya and David Silver have Honda cables, and they are twice the price of aftermarket. Yamiya has a
3-pack, both throttle cables and a clutch cable aftermarket $45, and a hefty shipping charge on top of that.
I don’t know if the JMarks Honda parts store is still operating?

If I replace every part that’s old, before long I will have a new motorcycle. I’m just trying to figure out which old parts might be tired and ready to be retired. Maybe just stick to tires brakes points plugs.

[seanbarney41]

Kevin, in my experience, all cable failures happen at the ends.  Closely inspect your controls and the mechanisms at the far end for poor adjustment, rubbing, chafeing, pinching or any fraying or unraveling of the wire.  9 out of 10 times, a cable fails where it meets the barrel at the end.  Make these inspections part of routine maintenance.  Once any sign of damage is found, that cable is living on borrowed time.

[RAFster122s]

JMarks business is closed after his death... unfortunately...

[Don R]

 I asked a question about carb needles recently, those needles may be the answer to it. In my case I had gone from a long muffler 4-1 on a ported/cammed/836 back to 4-4 no no.'s. I hadn't considered the need for a re-think on the needle position and jets. When I did, I looked at a lot of different model needles, they all appeared to be the same.

[stocky]

My throttle cables are 50 years old, as is just about everything else on this CB. They have not given me any trouble at all, and they may be higher quality than any replacement cables.

Hey Kevin...that is so true, I had an aftermarket throttle cable fail on my '74 Kawasaki, it was less than two years old.

Have you searched for Honda OEM cables yet?  There may be some out there?

Recently was stranded because of an aftermarket throttle cable that snapped only after about a year's worth of use. Luckily I was at a gas station nearby home went back to grab my old OEM cable that I replaced when I was rebuilding the bike thinking it'd be better and safer to use a new one...wrong! Not only did I get the bike home, it fixed a really stiff throttle issue that I thought was normal, the OEM cable throttle operation was SO much smoother.

 

[RAFster122s]

Honda cables really are worth the extra few dollars as the liner they use is far superior and they do not require nor should they be lubed with traditional cable lubes…

[Kevin D]

I have ridden my sons Hornet a bit and the throttle response is immediate and exaggerated, nothing like my CB. After a while on the Hornet I was longing for the CB and the 50 year old cables and carbs, stretched out and slack, controllable, modulated. My CB doesn’t go tearing down the road unless you intend for it to. I adjusted the slack out a bit on the pull cable adjuster below the master cylinder, but it started me thinking that a new pull cable will turn my 50 yr old CB into a kitted FI Hornet, haha. Also thinking the 50 year old cable is very tired.
 So I will give it a once over and maybe a new Honda pull cable.


Merry Christmas to all🧑‍🎄

[Stev-o]

I don’t know if the JMarks Honda parts store is still operating?

His eBay page states they will be back 1/14/22...

https://www.ebay.com/str/josephfmarksmotorcycleparts