Topic: 77 CB550 Choke Cable Differences Honda vs. Motion Pro

[edbikerii]

Hello all,

I've got a minor nuisance issue with the choke cable on my 77 CB550.  I replaced the original choke cable back in 1997 with a Motion Pro replacement.  The bike was my daily commuter back then, so I simply replaced the stuck cable and learned to live with the oddity in the new cable as it was better than nothing.

The new cable, or my installation, has never really been quite right.  I've always had to hold the cable knob fully pulled out to start up the bike, and hold it for about a minute or two until it warmed up enough to keep the bike running.  No amount of adjustment to the friction knob has helped.  In addition, the housing length adjustment is near the maximum setting, so I'm unable to make the pull shorter.  It seems that once the knob is pulled out a certain amount (maybe 1.5 inches or so) the cable shaft gets narrower so that the friction adjuster no longer grips.

I see on the microfiche that the original cable 17950-404-670 has no length adjustment (I guess Honda knows how long it should be better than Motion Pro does).  Also, the Motion Pro cable is listed for 550K, 750A, 750C, 750F, 750K, 750L, 900C and 900F.

So, I'm wondering if anybody has had similar experiences with this Motion Pro cable?  Has anybody got both a Motion Pro cable and a stock cable to compare it to?

[edbikerii]

Well, I've been able to determine more information.

Honda part numbers differ from application to application covered by the same Motion Pro part:

77 CB550K:  17950-404-670
82 CB900F:  17950-425-000

[edbikerii]

So, hasn't anyone got a 77 or 78 550K and replaced the choke cable with a Motion Pro?  Did you have any problems?

[jsaab2748]

Haven't run into your particular problem before, but I'd bet that if you e mailed Z1 Enterprises, Jeff would be more than
happy to help you out. He stands behind what he sells, and answers e mails. Might give him a try....good luck

[rhinoracer]

I'm hoping to read what others say about Motion Pro. I'll be ordering all three control cables, their website looks pro so I was expecting the same from their product.

[medic09]

I recently replaced the throttle (2) and choke cables on my 78 750K with Motion Pro.  Yes, the choke is a little different; but I've had absolutely no problems with any of the cables.  They shipped fast, and the cables have worked fine.  The choke installs the same, I just ended up with it a little longer.  It tucks under the tank just fine.

[jdigga]

edbikerii, just chiming in to say that I'm experiencing the same problem as you.  I have the friction knob as tight as it can go, but I still have to hold it on initial startup.  A little trick I use is to twist the choke cable knob a bit--since the cable is indexed, twisting it in the little housing will apply enough stiction to hold it in place by itself.  But that probably wears down the plastic sleeve after repeated use, so I don't recommend it.

As I recall, my original cable was one piece, but the MotionPro has some kind of coupler towards the carb end.  What's that for?

[edbikerii]

edbikerii, just chiming in to say that I'm experiencing the same problem as you.  I have the friction knob as tight as it can go, but I still have to hold it on initial startup.  A little trick I use is to twist the choke cable knob a bit--since the cable is indexed, twisting it in the little housing will apply enough stiction to hold it in place by itself.  But that probably wears down the plastic sleeve after repeated use, so I don't recommend it.

As I recall, my original cable was one piece, but the MotionPro has some kind of coupler towards the carb end.  What's that for?

OK, so now I know it is not just me!!!  The coupler is a housing length adjuster.  It determines how much cable is exposed at the end.  I've got mine all the way expanded to expose the minimum amount of cable, yet it still appears to have too much.  Has anybody adjusted this on their 550 properly and have any advice?

Also, does anybody have this problem with a stock 77 or 78 CB550K with the stock choke cable (just in case)?

[JG550]

Also, does anybody have this problem with a stock 77 or 78 CB550K with the stock choke cable (just in case)?

This is the case on my 78 500K. It's one of those "next on my list" things to change, and while it is a Honda part I really don't know how long it's been on there and whether it's stretched a bit over time. My left hand is usually dedicated to holding it up for a minute or so, and then I usually raise the idle up and then adjust that down so I don't have to hold the choke anymore. Without holding it up I'd say it only likes to stay up about 1/3-1/2 way up on it's own. Just one of those nuisances I live with I guess...

[edbikerii]

Also, does anybody have this problem with a stock 77 or 78 CB550K with the stock choke cable (just in case)?

This is the case on my 78 500K. It's one of those "next on my list" things to change, and while it is a Honda part I really don't know how long it's been on there and whether it's stretched a bit over time. My left hand is usually dedicated to holding it up for a minute or so, and then I usually raise the idle up and then adjust that down so I don't have to hold the choke anymore. Without holding it up I'd say it only likes to stay up about 1/3-1/2 way up on it's own. Just one of those nuisances I live with I guess...

Oh well.  There goes my elation, thinking that I had a way to repair this annoying problem easily (using a stock cable).  Have you tightened the friction adjuster, too?