Topic: '74 550 - Patience and Wisdom Project

[Jay D.]

I just replaced the right hand starter switch and I have kind of a sticky throttle. I have never had to lube a throttle cable before. How did you do it?

Pick up a cable lubrication kit like this.  Available online, of course, and at most local shops.  Get a brand name tool - they're cheap anyway.  You'll have the tool forever and the lube lasts a good while, too.


The screw draws the rubber internal bits down on the cable itself and butts up against the cable shroud.  Then the lube is sprayed through a hole in the tool, using WD-40-like snorkel, and you spray until it comes out the other end. You can hear it bubbling and makes that ascending pitch on its way down - like you hear when you fill a bottle.  This is really dumbing down an already easy process but I had never done it until I picked up the tool last year.  It is a good maintenance habit for our classic OR modern bikes.  Most cables are pretty cheap these days but it's a great annual Springtime task to keep things operating smoothly.

[Jay D.]

My new plate arrived yesterday.  I was quite surprised that this combination was still available.  PA's site makes it easy to search for available options and it's only a one-time $20 fee for a personalized tag.

I prefer somewhat subtle plates that appear, at least to the general public, as randomly assigned characters.

[Mcwilliams570]

Very cool nice it was still available to get.  Matt

[Two-Bit]

I just replaced the right hand starter switch and I have kind of a sticky throttle. I have never had to lube a throttle cable before. How did you do it?

Pick up a cable lubrication kit like this.  Available online, of course, and at most local shops.  Get a brand name tool - they're cheap anyway.  You'll have the tool forever and the lube lasts a good while, too.


The screw draws the rubber internal bits down on the cable itself and butts up against the cable shroud.  Then the lube is sprayed through a hole in the tool, using WD-40-like snorkel, and you spray until it comes out the other end. You can hear it bubbling and makes that ascending pitch on its way down - like you hear when you fill a bottle.  This is really dumbing down an already easy process but I had never done it until I picked up the tool last year.  It is a good maintenance habit for our classic OR modern bikes.  Most cables are pretty cheap these days but it's a great annual Springtime task to keep things operating smoothly.

Thanks! It seems that every time I work on my bike, I learn something new. But, I also screw something up. Which forces me to learn something new. Are you seeing the cycle here? 

[Jay D.]

Thanks! It seems that every time I work on my bike, I learn something new. But, I also screw something up. Which forces me to learn something new. Are you seeing the cycle here? 

That's what makes this hobby so much fun.  Learn something and pay it forward.

[Jay D.]

Installed Hondaman ignition module on Saturday.  Took about 3 hours but I was really taking my time and enjoying some music and beer in the garage.  If I had to do it again it would take less than an hour.

I was not keen on having the green ground wire in the open running to the points plate so I fished it through the OEM loom covering the points wires.  Module is secured with black zip ties to the bottom of the battery box.  After covering them with heat shrink, I snipped the four module point wires (blue, violet, yellow, orange) to a neat length and crimped on the provided m/f connectors.  Unless someone knows what they're looking for the mod is pretty stealth.

Had a nice ride yesterday and the bike ran fine.  I still have some fine carb tuning to do to get my idle worked out.

[Jay D.]

Well, it's probably going to be awhile before any new work gets done...
Our first child, a girl, was born this evening. Mom and daughter are doing great. Decided to get some rest tonight with her in nursery but can't wait to see her again in the morning.

I'm sure it won't be long before I post a motorcycle-related baby pic.

Life is good.

[FunJimmy]

Congratulations on the new addition to the family.
All the best.