Engaging pull throttle cable to carb link

[Kool_Biker]

Is there a trick to engaging the throttle pull cable on to the carbs throttle link.
Is there anything this side of separating, AGAIN, my just rebuilt & mated carbs rack to the engine, with lot pulled back and fastened on to the frame ready to go?

So utterly frustrating

Thanks, Aris

[Jeff Bennetts]

Aris, the easiest way to get the cables on the carbs is to secure them before you mount the carbs to the motor. The easiest way for me is to open the carb's linkage to full throttle, thus exposing the mounting point for the cable. I made up a simple tool for this because you never want to jamb anything in the carb throats or linkage to keep them open.

It consists of an electrical connector and a small length of picture frame hanging wire.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Thanks for the pics, Jeff.
I will be putting the carbs back on my '80 tomorrow and will give this a try.

[Kool_Biker]

Great idea Jeff, thanks for the pics!
Does this method have ANY CHANCE of working with everything back on?
Well, guess I will find out soon enough enough; I will definitely give it a try before dismantling everything again.
Cheers, Aris
P.S. I was fully aware of this trait of the CBX and both cables were located correctly before mounting the carbs.
But somehow this one cable slipped and jumped out at the most inconvenient of times, as I was assembling the throttle on the bars to finish the job.
Probably I allowed it too much slack. A lesson learned.

[Jeff Bennetts]

Yes Aris it will help you while the carbs are on the bike, I also use an assortment of dental picks to guide the cable end into the linkage. When you tie off the wire to hold the carbs open make sure its not in the way of the cable stops like this.

[Kool_Biker]

Jeff you are right, I just did it; but it took a long time and is very frustrating process (first time?).
Arguably the whole process including building my know how took as long as it would take me to dismantle everything and put it all together. But it did save the hassle.
I include 3 pics which could save another rookie some time.
Thanks again for your support.

P1060650.jpg

P1060643.jpg

P1060652.jpg

[Mopar_Tony_SF1]

Disaster scenario here. Installed the carbs on engine with cables hooked up before hand. Couple weeks later got a chance to work on again ... hooked up throttle too the bars and ...doh!! Got the cables mixed up! Have to twist throttle opposite direction to open up carbs. Ugh. Besides the above, and other tips / tricks to replace cables without pulling the carbs ... thanks.

[Rick Pope]

Tony,

You'll only do that once. Don't ask how I know.

[Mopar_Tony_SF1]

Yeah .. removing the carbs is the way to go to engage the pull cable. Any other way is a good way to get admitted to the funny farm.

[asquier]

Thank you all for this post and the photos. I am in the final stages of a frame up restoration and received the rebuilt engine back from the shop with the carbs already mounted and was terrified to have to pull them just to attach the opening throttle cable. After many failed attempts and about 4 hours of frustration I finally got it!
I would like to point out that the attachment point on the bell crank for this cable sits at somewhere between the 4 o'clock and 7 o'clock position depending on how open the throttle plate is. It's very difficult to see this and once I did the cable slipped into place with the tools you Gents recommended. Thanks again!

[sixofsix]

The hot set up is to pre-curve the cable and if you are so lucky practice on a spare unmounted set. I also find electrical tape holding the cable from turning inside sheath helps. Now if you could zip cut out the frame rails above the carbs so you could see the detail of where the cable goes...Anyways, a nice curve on the end and picks to guide the cable is paramount. If you can get the cable installed, practice turning the shift fork shaft around with the engine in the bike...that is even more loads of fun.

[DaveBern]

I just had to do this as I connected the cable before mounting the carbs, but didn't fit the outer into the holder as I didn't like the bend in the cable with the engine tilted. Of course, it came out as I was cranking the engine back up into position. I used the eyelet method to hold the throttle on full, but the trick was to have one hand under the rack to guide the nipple into position while maneuvering from the top. I also found that removing the whole cable from the frame so it's not constrained made a big difference. It also helps to have little hands....

[Artie]

Disaster scenario here. Installed the carbs on engine with cables hooked up before hand. Couple weeks later got a chance to work on again ... hooked up throttle too the bars and ...doh!! Got the cables mixed up! Have to twist throttle opposite direction to open up carbs. Ugh. Besides the above, and other tips / tricks to replace cables without pulling the carbs ... thanks.

Don’t think you’re alone!

I did the same exact thing boy I did I beat myself up for dumb move like that but will be sure I don’t make that mistake again

[Rick Pope]

Me too. You'll only do it once.