Thank you. Yes, I will definitely do that after I change the throttle cable from one of my British spares to an OEM Yamaha cable, which I just received.
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My 1980 XS650 Runs!!
- Thread starter JonW
- Start date
Take care when installing the lower end of the cable. There's a right way and a wrong way to do it. The right way is to install the ball on the end of the cable in the throttle arm first, with the cable sheath not in it's holder. That way you can come at the arm from the side with the cable and the sheath. Once the ball is installed then you can put the sheath in it's holder/guide above the throttle arm. Removal is just the opposite - remove the sheath from it's holder/guide first, then pull it down and to the side. Then you can remove the ball from the lever. This keeps you from bending and kinking the end of the cable. If done correctly, the exposed end of the cable should be nice and straight, like this .....
If you do it the wrong way, putting the sheath in it's holder/guide first, you need to bend the end of the cable to get it in the arm, and it can end up looking like this, lol .....
And going by the number of bad throttle cables I've seen around here, the correct way to install/remove one is a little known fact, lol.
If you do it the wrong way, putting the sheath in it's holder/guide first, you need to bend the end of the cable to get it in the arm, and it can end up looking like this, lol .....
And going by the number of bad throttle cables I've seen around here, the correct way to install/remove one is a little known fact, lol.
Yep, I have been doing it just as you recommend. I have done it this way with cables for many years. I must have figured it out many moons ago!
Well, good for you. But as I said, many haven't figured it out yet, lol.
No doubt. The wrong way was apparently what the PO did with the cable that was originally on it, and can be seen in the first video in this thread!
Oh, I forgot to mention, you'll want to change those pods. They check all the wrong boxes (K&N style pleated element, physically too small, tapered). Get some UNI foam pods, they work the best. For your BS34s, get the UP4229 filters. This is a 4" long straight all foam filter (foam on the ends too, no end cap).
Cool! I will look into ordering a pair, thank you.
I have the UNI filters installed, and have had a couple of short rides in. Starts easily and feels good going down the road. I installed a taillight bracket from a 1975 model with an aftermarket taillight from Mike's XS. I did some polishing today, too.
I was able to get the muffler reinstalled after ordering a correct muffler clamp (the previous owner was using hose clamps to try to clamp it in place... a fruitless endeavor!) I took it on its first voyage beyond around the block today, and clocked a 6-mile ride. It pulled well, shifted great, and sounded great going through the RPMs. Idle was a little high from before, and after the ride, I adjusted it back down to 1,100 RPMs. Sounds good, and I am happy with the results. Now, almost ready to put it away for the winter, and will be looking forward to Spring to do a lot more riding on this bike!!
