Author Topic: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions  (Read 1488 times)

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Offline zackblack

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Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« on: June 12, 2011, 10:47:32 AM »
Ok so the project is coming along nicely (1972 CB500) but A couple of questions are nagging at me:

1) As you can see in the picture it looks like I should have two throttle cables attached to the carbs.  The Throttle control also looks like it should have two cables (and is missing one).  Can I run as-is or should I get the missing cable?

2) The spark plug wire in the pic is bad.  Can I just replace the wire or do I need to replace the entire coil?
:) If I ask a question and forget to post model and year my bike is a '72 CB500 :)

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Offline Nortstudio

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2011, 11:24:54 AM »
You can run without a push cable - but probably not as safely as with one. You just have to make sure you snap your throttle back. Since the bike can use it - it's a fairly cheap fix.

The plug wire can be spliced with a NGK splicer - but only if your damage is a couple inches from the coil. Looks like yours is right on the coil, so you need new coil. You can get used or new - but make sure you read all the threads on getting the correct ohm for your bike.

Good luck!
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Offline zackblack

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2011, 11:32:08 AM »
Thanks for the reply -

The wire picture is misleading.  The damage is right at the plug (it pulled apart in my hand when I popped it off of the spark plug).
:) If I ask a question and forget to post model and year my bike is a '72 CB500 :)

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Offline Nortstudio

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2011, 11:44:13 AM »
If it's down by the plug, you may be able to snip a little bit away, as long as you feel it's getting a good connection when you screw it to the cap. 

By the way, would not hurt to check the caps, if they are resistance caps (my 550 is, not sure about your 500).  If they are bunk, also not an expensive fix.  And it's one less thing for you to worry about when trying to diagnos issues.

 
« Last Edit: June 12, 2011, 12:06:15 PM by Nortstudio »
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
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Offline WarwickE36

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2011, 11:58:52 AM »
You may have just pulled the cap off of the plugwire.  The cap is a separate piece.  Inside the cap (on the wire side) there is a screw that screws into the wire.  If there is enough length just snip off 3/8-1/2" of the wire and screw the cap back on.  Easy Peasy and FREE! 
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Offline zackblack

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2011, 01:44:47 PM »
You may have just pulled the cap off of the plugwire.  The cap is a separate piece.  Inside the cap (on the wire side) there is a screw that screws into the wire.  If there is enough length just snip off 3/8-1/2" of the wire and screw the cap back on.  Easy Peasy and FREE!

Thanks for the reply.  I think it's exactly what I did BUT the inside of the cap where the screw is is dirty and fouled with grease(?) (and so is the tip of the wire) so I think I'll try to clean that up then do the snip off / re-screw and see what happens.
:) If I ask a question and forget to post model and year my bike is a '72 CB500 :)

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"Observe the snow. It fornicates."

Offline Nortstudio

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2011, 02:16:55 PM »
Check the resistance. Nothing like cleaning those up, thinking you've checked them off the list - and then the caps were bad.
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
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Offline xsmooth69x

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2011, 03:45:14 PM »
just get some nice new ngk caps.... there not that expensive!! i paid $13 for all 4 of mine

ngk xd05f

^this is for a cb550 but i would imagine its the same for the 500 but please check
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2011, 05:13:33 PM »
Having the second cable really improves your ability to control the throttle with your hand in turns rather than waiting for the spring to react. You will also notice when you reach for the brake lever your palm rolls the grip forward closing the throttle, so the cable would positively close the carb slides. 
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2011, 05:44:37 PM »
Having the second cable really improves your ability to control the throttle with your hand in turns rather than waiting for the spring to react. You will also notice when you reach for the brake lever your palm rolls the grip forward closing the throttle, so the cable would positively close the carb slides.
Are both the cables the same or are they different part numbers?
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Offline zackblack

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2011, 05:47:34 PM »
Are both the cables the same or are they different part numbers?

I was going to ask that very question. :)
:) If I ask a question and forget to post model and year my bike is a '72 CB500 :)

kaniktshaq moritlkatsio atsuniartoq: Umingmaktormiut dialect.

"Observe the snow. It fornicates."

Offline underachiever

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2011, 05:51:37 PM »
They're different. The mounts on the throttle housing end are different and the push cable is a bit shorter.

tony

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2011, 04:58:29 AM »
So how do we know which one to order? I believe i needs the secondary one
1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Nortstudio

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2011, 05:23:00 AM »
One is called the push cable, one is called the pull cable (and will be labeled that way on eBay or any parts store). If you look inside the control housing, at the throttle, it will be very obvious. Not a bad idea to replace both at the same time - that way you will know they are both fresh.

1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

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Offline Ryan66

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Re: Throttle cable and spark plug wire questions
« Reply #14 on: June 13, 2011, 09:08:46 AM »
Ya good call i think there like 12.95 a piece. I just saw one on the front of the carbs if sitting on the bike wasnt attached so it may just need reattaching
1976 CB550k (cafe project)