Need to replace throttle cables - any helpful hints out there?

[lljjmm]

I need to replace my throttle cable, any advise out there that will make the job easier?
Probably will also replace the throttle tube. I do know the tank will have to be removed.
The cable did break. Should I also replace the return cable?
Bike is an Valk Interstate with approx  70,000 miles.
Thanks

[Firefighter]

No advise other than tie a soft wire or similar to the old cable so you can make sure you go back exactly the same way. I have never replaced mine but I have new ones incase. Did you have any warning? Was the throttle rough or stiff before it broke? That could ruin your day out on the road.

[Hook#3287]

Yeah, the tank comes off.  I would do both.  One cable needs to be "unscrewed" from the throttle assembly.  If you loosen the bolts of the handle bar holder, you can shift the bars to the left and remove the throttle assembly, after taking the 2 screws out. 

[lljjmm]

There was no indication that it was going.
It happen about half way into the Lolo Pass (Idaho). Just had been doing some hard ridding around the hills of Kamiah Idaho.
I was fortunate to be with 6 other bikes. So we we all had input into a unique fix. As it was an Valk Interstate - we left the old cable in it's place and took one of the  trunk cables and  cut it in half to fit as a splice to the old cable (which we cut back to expose some cable and used a small bolt with washers the hold the splice together). Took some plastic ties and tied the throttle cable to the handle bars so when the throttle was rotated the cable would hold firm and just inside cable moved.

The end of the trunk cable has a similar end the throttle cable (just a bit too wide - so  had to file it narrower to fit the casing slot in the cable holder.

I know it may be hard to picture, it took about a total of 2 hours to complete,  trying to figure what to do and then do it.
Thanks to the guys with me. We all had various tools, a Leatherman tool helped lots, along with small vise grips, a file, needle nose pliers, pliers, plastic ties, small bolt with washers.

I continued my trip  for another two days of riding ( Missoula, Kalispel, St Marys, returning back into Alberta, Canada - another 1000+ miles or so back home (being careful not to put too much stress on the the cable - although i did not baby it too much-  it stood up very well - almost as good as a new replacement). Passed vehicles, climbed the passes with some caution.

All done on the side of the road. Hope this may help some one in the future.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There was no indication that it was going.
It happen about half way into the Lolo Pass (Idaho). Just had been doing some hard ridding around the hills of Kamiah Idaho.
I was fortunate to be with 6 other bikes. So we we all had input into a unique fix. As it was an Valk Interstate - we left the old cable in it's place and took one of the  trunk cables and  cut it in half to fit as a splice to the old cable (which we cut back to expose some cable and used a small bolt with washers the hold the splice together). Took some plastic ties and tied the throttle cable to the handle bars so when the throttle was rotated the cable would hold firm and just inside cable moved.

The end of the trunk cable has a similar end the throttle cable (just a bit too wide - so  had to file it narrower to fit the casing slot in the cable holder.

I know it may be hard to picture, it took about a total of 2 hours to complete,  trying to figure what to do and then do it.
Thanks to the guys with me. We all had various tools, a Leatherman tool helped lots, along with small vise grips, a file, needle nose pliers, pliers, plastic ties, small bolt with washers.

I continued my trip  for another two days of riding ( Missoula, Kalispel, St Marys, returning back into Alberta, Canada - another 1000+ miles or so back home (being careful not to put too much stress on the the cable - although i did not baby it too much-  it stood up very well - almost as good as a new replacement). Passed vehicles, climbed the passes with some caution.

All done on the side of the road. Hope this may help some one in the future.

Put 7 riders together and they can usually come up with something.  Very good thinking out of the box.

[pocket aces]

Thats putting the ole Macgyver skills to good use. Good job!!

[Valkpilot]

There was no indication that it was going.
It happen about half way into the Lolo Pass (Idaho). Just had been doing some hard ridding around the hills of Kamiah Idaho.
I was fortunate to be with 6 other bikes. So we we all had input into a unique fix. As it was an Valk Interstate - we left the old cable in it's place and took one of the  trunk cables and  cut it in half to fit as a splice to the old cable (which we cut back to expose some cable and used a small bolt with washers the hold the splice together). Took some plastic ties and tied the throttle cable to the handle bars so when the throttle was rotated the cable would hold firm and just inside cable moved.

The end of the trunk cable has a similar end the throttle cable (just a bit too wide - so  had to file it narrower to fit the casing slot in the cable holder.

I know it may be hard to picture, it took about a total of 2 hours to complete,  trying to figure what to do and then do it.
Thanks to the guys with me. We all had various tools, a Leatherman tool helped lots, along with small vise grips, a file, needle nose pliers, pliers, plastic ties, small bolt with washers.

I continued my trip  for another two days of riding ( Missoula, Kalispel, St Marys, returning back into Alberta, Canada - another 1000+ miles or so back home (being careful not to put too much stress on the the cable - although i did not baby it too much-  it stood up very well - almost as good as a new replacement). Passed vehicles, climbed the passes with some caution.

All done on the side of the road. Hope this may help some one in the future.

You can also swap the two cables.  The "pull" cable is the one that usually breaks and then you've got no throttle at all, but you can get by without the return cable.  The return cable is shorter and it takes some creative positioning and you have to tie it in place, but it will work.

Also, I haven't checked the length, but I believe the enricher (choke) cable is another possible donor. in an emergency.

[Colin]

There is no need to actually remove the tank. You can do it by taking out the 2 mounting bolts and putting a piece of 2 x 1 under the front of the tank. There is then enough room to get in there and change them.

[Michvalk]

To answer your other question, Yes replace both cables. If one was bad the other can't be far behind

[gordonv]

Do one at a time.

I believe someone suggest some white out on the cable end and the connector it goes to, so you can figure out which cable is which. But shouldn't need that if you do one at a time.

Remove the cable end, and tape the new one onto it, and pull it through the bike.

When I did my GL1100, I used a string tide to it. Untied, tied to the new one, and then pulled it back through the bike.

[Hook#3287]

There is no need to actually remove the tank. You can do it by taking out the 2 mounting bolts and putting a piece of 2 x 1 under the front of the tank. There is then enough room to get in there and change them.

That's true, no NEED to remove the tank, but as I leaned the hard way back in 1973, when working around the tank with tools, it's always better to take the time to remove the tank.

I bought a new tank, while working on a CB200 at Popoli's Honda, because I was lazy.

I relearned that lesson in 2000 when a socket wench extension fell off and dented my Valk's tank.

I now make the time and effort when working near it.

[SirLancelot]

Hey Firefighter, being as you have new cables why don't you replace the old ones in the comfort of your garage at a time that suits you rather than doing it roadside in the rain when it breaks?

[Firefighter]

SirLancelot, that has been my plan. Today I did alternator service and changed the brushes, I will do the throttle cables very soon. I don't want any road side irritating inconvience!  Thanks

[baldo]

There was no indication that it was going.
It happen about half way into the Lolo Pass (Idaho). Just had been doing some hard ridding around the hills of Kamiah Idaho.
I was fortunate to be with 6 other bikes. So we we all had input into a unique fix. As it was an Valk Interstate - we left the old cable in it's place and took one of the  trunk cables and  cut it in half to fit as a splice to the old cable (which we cut back to expose some cable and used a small bolt with washers the hold the splice together). Took some plastic ties and tied the throttle cable to the handle bars so when the throttle was rotated the cable would hold firm and just inside cable moved.

The end of the trunk cable has a similar end the throttle cable (just a bit too wide - so  had to file it narrower to fit the casing slot in the cable holder.

I know it may be hard to picture, it took about a total of 2 hours to complete,  trying to figure what to do and then do it.
Thanks to the guys with me. We all had various tools, a Leatherman tool helped lots, along with small vise grips, a file, needle nose pliers, pliers, plastic ties, small bolt with washers.

I continued my trip  for another two days of riding ( Missoula, Kalispel, St Marys, returning back into Alberta, Canada - another 1000+ miles or so back home (being careful not to put too much stress on the the cable - although i did not baby it too much-  it stood up very well - almost as good as a new replacement). Passed vehicles, climbed the passes with some caution.

All done on the side of the road. Hope this may help some one in the future.

That's pretty clever....good job.

[gordonv]

SirLancelot, that has been my plan. Today I did alternator service and changed the brushes, I will do the throttle cables very soon. I don't want any road side irritating inconvience!  Thanks

How warn where the brushes and miles? Would a cleaning just be good enough for another 30K?

[Firefighter]

gordonv, 55,000 miles, and according to the book I still had plenty of brush left. Looks like it would go to 150,000 miles if the wear stayed consistant. I have read here about the alternators needing a cleaning once in a while, and since I ride alone nearly all the time, I needed piece of mind I guess.

The alternator wasn't too dirty in my opinion, and I opted to replace the brushes since I was there. Now I can say I have done that!             Firefighter