US spec 1977 CB400F throttle cable question

[mattsz]

One of my cables had a broken ball end at the carb mount, so I thought I'd get a new pair.  I thought I'd found a good deal at newmotorcycleparts.net, from an entry which indicated them specifically for my model, including the reminder, "NOTE; '77 CB400 has slightly taller bars than earlier CB400F's '75-'76."  As it happens, they're NOS, but not Honda manufacture: "Very high quality Japanese made cables that replicate original design."  Part numbers are 17910-377-710 and 17920-377-710. (https://www.newmotorcycleparts.net/deals/deals2.html)

They just arrived, and I have two concerns - one of the cables has, over the casing at the carb end, a fine flexible spring about 6" in length, which is rusty.  No other obvious dirt or rust on either one, and no such spring on the other one, does this sound right?  My bike is "in storage" so I can't look at the old cables. 

Also, both of the wire cores seem to be loose in their casings - looped in their packaging, I can move one ball end about 1/2" before the other end moves.  Would you call it "lash?"  I suppose if in use, both cables are stretched out fairly straight, and they only pull, then this slop can be adjusted out, but I'm not sure if this is normal or not, and whether I should try to return them.

Finally, does anyone have the specs for the actual lengths so I could check their measurements?

[Bryanj]

The spring was on some make of cables and not others, free play will disapear when fitted, no idea on length.

[Deano400]

Hi mattsz,
These were fitted to my 1978 400. Don't know if they are original but the fit was ok.

[Trigger]

US market are different to UK units 

[mattsz]

Today I removed the throttle assembly from the bars, so now I can easily compare the cable lengths...

[mattsz]

So... the new "open" (what's the correct vernacular?) cable matches exactly, but the "close" cable is 1/2-inch short... both the cable and housing are each 1/2-inch shorter than what came off the bike.  But I don't know if what was on the bike is correct...

Here's a pic of the original cables - the open one has a "6E7" number on it.  The close one has a "6E6":

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The cables also have other writing on them, but it's worn off the close cable, and is only legible on the open cable: "T.S.K. MADE IN JAPAN 52202":

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

That's definitely a "52202," here it is in another location of the cable housing:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The "new" cables (NOS according to the seller) have no writing on them - the end fittings all look correct, only there are no little rubber sleeves to cover where the cable housing joins the metal adjusters at the handlebar end.

Does anyone have a thought about whether that short 1/2 inch is enough for me to try to return it?  Or is it ok?  Keep in mind that the actual free movement of the cable will be the same as the old one, since the cable and the housing are the same overlength.  I'd just have to be able to absorb the 1/2 inch in the overall cable run...

(EDIT: I mixed up short and long in the first paragraph, so it was conflicting.  Fixed it...)

[mattsz]

Are the open and close cables meant to be the same length?  If so, comparing them all with each other might be a way to try to confirm what's happening...

[mattsz]

No takers on the replacement cable question?  Not sure if I should be bothering the seller about the discrepancy or not...

[Sprocket]

I've just reattached my throttle cables to the tube on the handlebar, and noted they are different lengths. Don't rely on me though, I can't even be sure they are throttle cables, let alone for this bike or indeed any bike. (every single part of my rebuild is a massive lesson in 'prior restoration'.)

No takers on the replacement cable question?  Not sure if I should be bothering the seller about the discrepancy or not...

[mattsz]

I'm finding all sorts of discrepancies between different cable makers all referencing the same Honda part number.  Where do you concours restoration guys go to find out specs?  How do I find out what the length of these cables should be?

[Nurse Julie]

I can't help with your cable length at all as mine being a UK model has got the lower bars fitted. Sourcing the correct length cables is a nightmare at times. Sometime it is a case of just keep ordering different ones until you get the right length. As you say, even referenced to the same Honda part number, you can still end up with 3 or 4 sets that don't fit before you obtain the correct ones.

[mattsz]

I can't help with your cable length at all as mine being a UK model has got the lower bars fitted. Sourcing the correct length cables is a nightmare at times. Sometime it is a case of just keep ordering different ones until you get the right length. As you say, even referenced to the same Honda part number, you can still end up with 3 or 4 sets that don't fit before you obtain the correct ones.

Thanks Julie.  It seems odd that the information is so hard to come by.

4into1.com shows dimensions for most of their cable listings.  Their Motion Pro cables reference the specific Honda part number for the high-bar bikes.  Their no-name cables reference a different part number, but the descriptions say they fit the high-bar bikes.  The listing for the NOS cables I bought do both.  Yet all have different lengths, of cable, housing, and free play. Which is what you are saying, I guess!

Oh well - if only all the pieces were assembled, I could easily just try to fit them and see - as it is, I won't be able to do that and it could be many months before I find out that they may not work, but by then I'll be stuck with them...

[Nurse Julie]

Yep, we have a draw full of new wrong cables but they will all get used eventually I have no doubt.