Throttle Cable routing

Technical Help Forum

Throttle Cable routing


richie171 07-19-2008, 12:40 PM

Does anyone know the proper route for the open/close throttle cables? I got both cables fitted and adjusted and the throttle grip snaps shut nicely when the handlebars are in the straight ahead or fully right positions, but turn the bars fully left and the throttle grip returns very slowly.

I thought I'd found the best route for the cables as being behind the top of the right hand fork, around the stering head and along the left side of the frame, but for some reason the cables both stick up before they go to the attachment points - as a result, when the gas tank is on, the cables get pushed downwards, possibly causing the stiffness. 

The cables appear to be the correct ones for the bike; I did think at first that they were too long. Bike is a UK CX500B with standard 3" rise bars.   

I'm darned if I can figure this one out; am I missing the obvious?

 


1982 CX500B

Re: Throttle Cable routing


Ayal 07-19-2008, 3:19 PM
On my '79 CX500C, the cables go down the handle, bend around the front pivot (behind the headlight) directly into the bunch on top (left) of the radiator, inside that cable holder there, then under the tank along the frame middle practically straight into the carbs.

Strive to learn something new every day

Re: Throttle Cable routing


DaveF 07-19-2008, 6:32 PM
 richie171 wrote:
...I got both cables fitted and adjusted and the throttle grip snaps shut nicely when the handlebars are in the straight ahead or fully right positions, but turn the bars fully left and the throttle grip returns very slowly...

Usually this means the cables are too tight.  When this happens, they pull against each other and bind at certain steering angles.  Try loosening the throttle release cable some or even disconnect it entirely to see if this eliminates the sticking.


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1981 GL500I
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Re: Throttle Cable routing


Daniel45mpg 07-19-2008, 8:32 PM
i had good luck with the free-play adjuster below the Throttle turn while snapping throttle.
1980 CX500C
1980 CX500D

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Re: Throttle Cable routing


richie171 07-20-2008, 1:12 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Now here's a thing; I dug out the old cables and took the new ones off (what a PITA job that was) and found that the new cables were over 5 inches too long. Small wonder I struggled. I double-checked the part numbers against a parts fiche I've got and the part numbers check out. So I'll be taking it up with the supplier - David Silver Spares here in UK.

Hopefully if I can get the right cables, then fitting them should now be a breeze. Thanks again


1982 CX500B

Re: Throttle Cable routing


Willj 07-20-2008, 11:05 PM
I bought some cables apparently for a cx off flebay.( throttle, clutch ) I installed them and they were nasty. Crappy response. As it turn out they were 5 inches too long like yours. I recently replaced all of the cables with genuine honda cables from CMSNL. What an amazing difference. I certainly wish I new then what I know now about cables. Who would have thought though that the extra length would make such a difference in performance. Moral of the story? Don`t use or substitute other lengths of cables from the factory length. Also, just because some fleabay seller says Honda CX500 cables for sale... don`t assume they are CX cables and don`t assume they going to fit your bike!

Re: Throttle Cable routing


Anonymous 07-21-2008, 2:44 AM

I hear what you're saying Willj, I've already bought items off fleabay supposedly for the Cx and thenhad to do a lot of jiggling around to get them to fit. The thing with the throttle cables is that they were in a bag with a Honda Genuine Parts label stuck to it and, as I mentioned in my previous post, the part numbers check out.

And things like throttle cables are hard to bodge up; they either fit of they don't. So what do we do...........

Re: Throttle Cable routing


richie171 07-21-2008, 5:36 AM
Sorry, this was me - forgot to sign in 
1982 CX500B

Re: Throttle Cable routing


RichNCT 07-21-2008, 9:45 AM

A couple of years ago there was some writeups about CX500 throttle cables coming the wrong length from Honda, and as I recall, even with the correct PNs.  Probably was on the old Swedish board.  Kathy/OZ was the author and investigator as I recall, but I don't remember the outcome or solution, but I think Honda was not vewry helpful.  She is very well informed and her info is well researched and field tested.

The "real" Honda service manuals have diagrams showing the correct routing of cables on the bikes.


Born to be relatively wild

Re: Throttle Cable routing


dozer1 07-21-2008, 10:00 AM
I have, with all 3 replacements of the throttle cable(and the clutch cable) gotten them a bit too long, even being original Honda parts. They work tho, no big deal I suppose.

1979 CX500 Deluxe(Parts For Sale!)
1980 CX500 Ratbike "Stella"
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