SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
teflon-lined cables?
Mikep328:
I can't say with certainty - I loosened the adjustment screws at the grip and the grip moved easily within the limitation of that travel. But I didn't disconnect the cables. Now that the weather has been a bit warmer, the stiffness is reduced where the spring will now return the throttle but it's still pretty stiff.
Obviously, I need to disconnect the cables to be sure BUT I've also noticed the clutch seems much stiffer than it was last season. I ASSUME it's the cables in both cases so I was looking for some teflon lined versions. It appears the only way to get that for the 400F is to purchase the "raw" cable and make them up using the fittings on the existing cables. I'd rather not do that but the only other "remedy" that might help is lubricating them as has been suggested. I used to do that regularly back in the "old days" (when I used to clean the chain in petrol then put it in a pan of grease melted on the kitchen stove!!) but I haven't needed to lubricate a cable in quite a while! Even the cables on my '73 Norton Commando are teflon-lined!
I can't recall how often I needed to lube the cables back then. I replaced all the cables on the 400 - throttle, clutch, speedo, tach - about two years ago...
Bryanj:
Original Honda cables are lined with rubber on the inner cable and nylon inside the outer cable which is why the must NOT be lubed but there are two problems with genuine cables
1 Finding them
2 Paying for them!!
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
--- Quote from: Mikep328 on June 10, 2026, 06:14:25 AM ---I can't say with certainty - I loosened the adjustment screws at the grip and the grip moved easily within the limitation of that travel. But I didn't disconnect the cables. Now that the weather has been a bit warmer, the stiffness is reduced where the spring will now return the throttle but it's still pretty stiff.
Obviously, I need to disconnect the cables to be sure BUT I've also noticed the clutch seems much stiffer than it was last season. I ASSUME it's the cables in both cases so I was looking for some teflon lined versions. It appears the only way to get that for the 400F is to purchase the "raw" cable and make them up using the fittings on the existing cables. I'd rather not do that but the only other "remedy" that might help is lubricating them as has been suggested. I used to do that regularly back in the "old days" (when I used to clean the chain in petrol then put it in a pan of grease melted on the kitchen stove!!) but I haven't needed to lubricate a cable in quite a while! Even the cables on my '73 Norton Commando are teflon-lined!
I can't recall how often I needed to lube the cables back then. I replaced all the cables on the 400 - throttle, clutch, speedo, tach - about two years ago...
--- End quote ---
On my 400 the tube was split, gripping the throttle made it clamp on the bars, I ended up fitting a new tube IIRC using Silicone a lubricant to keep out water.
As you suspect probably the cables, the clutch cable is often reported here as having a short life due to the engine heat & load etc
Mikep328:
I checked back on my parts orders and see that I ordered pattern parts for all the cables. I bought the pattern clutch cable from DSS though I see they also list a "Honda" clutch cable which, I assume, is identical to the original. I bought the throttle cables from a different company, one of which didn't fit! The DSS throttle cables are listed as being from the same manufacturer and "identical" to the originals. Unfortunately DSS only has one of the two throttle cables in stock at present and the Honda clutch cable is a "special order."
TrickyMicky:
Just a random thought, but, are you sure that the cables are correctly routed? If you search this forum you will find "Ash's Dropbox" which contains a very good diagram of cable routing from the dealers' set - up manual. As has been said already, I replace my clutch cable approx. every two years, and to make sure the routing stays the same I cable tie the new cable to the old one at the engine end and pull it through from the handlebars.
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