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Started by Blindstitch2002 at 07-25-2008 10:16 AM. Topic has 16 replies.

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   07-25-2008, 10:16 AM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Greenfield Wisconsin
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Throttle cable return
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I just put a set of motion pro throttle cables on because they have been collecting dust for the past 3 years in my toolbox. I adjusted the cables several times and routed them the same way the others were and I am not getting the snap I want. When I turn the handle bars 1/2 to the right they still return fine but anything after that is slow.  Is there a way to mount a spring on the carb to pull them back in better?

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-25-2008, 10:23 AM
LRCXed is not online. Last active: 10/5/2008 12:11:28 PM LRCXed



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Re: Throttle cable return
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See your other post Blindstitch! I posted some possibilities!

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
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   07-25-2008, 10:33 AM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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Other posts suggestions by LRCXed

Most of the time, I find that little things like one cable over the other , or twisted around each other can cause a drag. Did the cables match up exactly in length? I found mine to be just a bit longer. I had to turn the metal curves under the Throttle controls forward a little to compensate for it. Make sure you get them in as free flowing arches as possible.Turn the throttle to where it's dragging and then move the cables around till you feel it smooth out. On mine, I had to also run the ends by the carbs in an upward direction and strap it in place with one of the center bar straps. They also might need some lube because they sat for so long and have a little corrosion inside! Hope all these ideas help!

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-25-2008, 10:42 AM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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The cables are in the same direction as the ones I had taken off. When I put the Daytona bars on my bike I ran into this problem and ended up facing the cables forward and ran them inbetween the two forks and then down the frame. So the cables run just under the headlight. There isn't any kinks or twists in the routing. I have already sat on the bike with the cables in semi binding condition and adjust the direction they were facing and tested for about 10 minutes and ended up with what i am getting. I should definetly try the lube. Oh yeah and the cables were exactly the same length as the ones I took off. so i looked at the settings with the adjustment nuts and set them the same.

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-25-2008, 1:04 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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Make sure you have a little slack in the cable itself at the carb linkage after you turn the bars to the left and right! You might need to raise or lower the adjustment a bit. I would think that to loose might push it against the housing to cause resistance too! Maybe! Just a thought.

Your not going through anything we all have not dealt with on our bikes! This seams to be a common issue with them. Some I have seen have even taken the return cable off and they work fine that way! It's only for emergency throttle pull off if the carbs were to get stuck anyway. You might try that if all else fails!

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
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   07-25-2008, 1:59 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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I agree. Try to mess with them untill they free up. I think I spent an hour trying to get to turn freely. I think mine was binding to the right as well.
1981 CX500 Custom
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   07-25-2008, 5:45 PM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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Well I played with it for another 30 mins today and lubed it and I almost got it but it still has some room to improve. I think I can live with what I got for now.

The grip snaps back all but the last 1/8 inch so I am not to worried. Haven't taken it for a ride yet so I will know tomorrow if it's acceptable.

Did I mention I hate all the phillips screws. I am replacing them one by one. 50% of them look like they have one or two turns left in them before all they are is a recessed cone.

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-29-2008, 6:50 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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I took out my carbs today, cleaned them, and replaced the diaphram kit on the accelerator pump (GL500 engine on CX500C body). It worked out well, and had great power on a 60 mile trip tonight. I adjusted the idle screw, but maybe 1500 is too high. I noticed the throttle twist grip didn't snap back as quickly as before. It also takes some wrist/forearm muscle to get it twisted. Is this normal for these classic bikes? I drove my friend's newer Yamaha V Star and couldn't believe how easily the throttle twisted. It sounds like you have the same problem. Should I lube the throttle cables? What kind of lube? Should I turn the idle screw down? I used to have it at 1200 but it would stall when warming up. What rpm should it idle at? Thanks for help.
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   07-29-2008, 7:05 PM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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You might check the way you routed the cables after removing the carbs. If they get the slightest kink in them they tend to respond slower.  They should snap back pretty good. It should be easy to twist them. No real power required. I used wd40 to lube mine and it did a decent job but thats only because I didn't have the time to ask people on here when the site was down.

If I am remembering right these bikes are ment to idle at 1100rpms but mine won't do that. My brothers does. Mine tends to stumble the closer it gets to 1100. I have mine set at 1800 only because it seems not to stumble and I don't leave it idling for days. If you want to use a bike that's what you should be doing.

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-29-2008, 7:10 PM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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Also the direction that your cables are facing out to the right control handle can change the way they respone. If there turned a little bit in either direction than the one that works best the response changes.  First make sure they snap back really good facing left and straight then tackle turning to the right. Examine your cables. My return cable had a gouge in it and was letting moisture in.

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-29-2008, 7:16 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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Thanks for the info. on idle speed. I'll turn mine down tomorrow. Is there a throttle lube made for this? Can I lube the cables from the throttle twist grip? How do you remove the cables? I'll look to see if the cables are twisted. Do you think the lock nuts on the throttle cables need to be adjusted? The bike runs great, it just needs a lighter throttle that is easier to twist and snaps back to normal position.
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   07-29-2008, 8:14 PM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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If the cables don't have a little slack in them near the carb they will be tight. You can remove the return cable from the trottle twist really easy. I sprayed wd40 down the openings at the front throught the throttle twist area. Also if you have any zip ties or wires pushing on or holding down your cables they could be harder to turn.

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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   07-29-2008, 8:49 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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You should not have to keep the idle set high just to keep it running during (a brief) warmup. The choke has a "high idle" function to handle that. If your choke won't stay out, tighten the locknut at the base of the choke rod (below the CHOKE knob) a little. Careful, some of the parts are plastic. Trivia question: Which carburetted CX/GL model(s) doesn't have a choke knob?
Born to be relatively wild
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   08-01-2008, 1:57 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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I adjusted the throttle cable at the carb (more slack), sprayed some Tri-Flow teflon spray in the line and it the throttle works great.
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   08-01-2008, 2:58 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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Hi Blindstitch,

I went through all the posts on this subject and I didn't see anything mentioned about taking the throttle grip housing off of the handlebar and making sure the area under the throttle "twist" part is clean and gunk free. When you've done that, put a little grease on the bar again under the twist part of the throttle grip so that it will move freely.

Back in April when I had a bunch of the locals over for my "stator party" David (R80Dave from Wisconsin) did the above. That along with two new throttle cables made ALL the difference!!!!

Greg

1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far


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   08-01-2008, 9:52 PM
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Re: Throttle cable return
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When I rebuild or clean a throttle assembly. I clean everything with lacquer thinner or the likes, and don't put anything on the bar or twist grip. When it's dry and clean, it seams to work the best for me. Grease or oil will slow it down in cold weather. Spray silicon would be the best bet in my opinion. Sewing machine type thin oil, or Air tool oil works well inside the cables to lube them. Flood it through the cable housing and let it drip for a while. clean off the excess and put it back together. I should work smooth and free after that.

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
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   08-01-2008, 11:00 PM
Blindstitch2002 is not online. Last active: 9/28/2008 5:04:32 PM Blindstitch2002



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Re: Throttle cable return
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 Graywolfs02 wrote:
Hi Blindstitch,

I went through all the posts on this subject and I didn't see anything mentioned about taking the throttle grip housing off of the handlebar and making sure the area under the throttle "twist" part is clean and gunk free. When you've done that, put a little grease on the bar again under the twist part of the throttle grip so that it will move freely.

Back in April when I had a bunch of the locals over for my "stator party" David (R80Dave from Wisconsin) did the above. That along with two new throttle cables made ALL the difference!!!!

Greg


I didn't even think of new grease.  I looked over that area on my bike when I did it making sure there wasn't any grit and wiped off some of the old grease but didn't think of starting over and putting new grease in there. Every other bike I worked on had grease or none at all under the grip so I didn't really know what to do.

Larry I do like your air tool oil idea. Wish I would have thought of that but it's only two screws away and I wanted to replace that other one that looks eaten up. I replaced the long one last week.


New question out of the post.
To grease or not to grease.
Is it better to have a greased twist grip or a dry one. And if greased what do you use. 

1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
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