throttle cable problem..plz help

wats up everyone!
I have a 83 xj550 seca. Now from the two ends of the throttle cable one is connected to the throttle housing on the handle bars. But what is the other end connected to? Does the piece have a specific name?...See I just got the bike rode it for about a week and then it snapped from under the tank when I took everything a part to see, it seemed the bottom end of the throttle cable was connected to the carb bracket with a simple wire. I dont think thats a stock part. Would really appreciate anyones help

 

Should be wire with a round stopper like a bicycle cable on both ends.

 

right so that is the throttle cable. Do you know what part that cable is connected to? The top side is connected to the throttle housing on the handle bar. What about the bottom side?

 

Should look like this

 

Dude ur awesome! thanx! where did you get that picture??? ive been looking all over the place w/no luck. Do you know anywhere I could find those parts??

 

The main part is pressed on the throttle shaft the rest is riveted on. So you may need a new throttle shaft.

Not sure where to get one - try local salvage shops.

Pic is cut from a PDF of the Haynes manual for my 650. You need to get a factory service manual. Worth it's weight in gold to fix problems you come across.

 

thanx again really appreciate the help.

 

Just to add my 2cents. As you notice the black cable sheathing going down with just a bit of the shiney chrome end cap showing, then it sits in an open end barrel with the cable (wire) going down under it, then connecting to the throttle linkage by means of a little barrel looking stub that fits into that backwards "C" at the top of the throttle linkage. Wow that was long to get to this point>>> Make sure your throttle linkage didn't collapse down onto the engine/carbuerators where you don't see it. It collapses in 2 or 3 sections and can sometimes fall down kinda far.
You may just need an inexpensive throttle cable you can buy at most any motorcycle shop.

 

All XJ550 Mikuni carbs use a separate "stub" throttle cable that runs from the throttle bracket (on the #3 carb) to the "main" throttle cable that comes from the hand throttle housing on the handlebars.

The picture posted above by Bill is a view of the Hitachi carb throttle cable attachment point, which is on a long, extended pivoting "arm" that is attached to the thottle shaft bracket on the #3 carb. The Mikuni's do not use the same mechanism; that short (2-3" long) "stub" cable accomplishes the same task.

 

Hey thanks Len I know the x's have the Mikunis I was (obviously) under the impression the 550s did not.

(but I also advised another member to change his 550 shaft oil 8O - senior moments are getting closer together )

 

I'll get you a 550 Seca pic later today as soon as the sun comes up a little more so I can take decent photos.

 

Well bill I think we did a great job on the xj650 in case anyone has that problem :lol:

 

Hey Bill, it's hard to keep all the details straight....especially the oddball situations! The 550 Mikuni carbs are the ONLY ones that use that particular feature....no other Mikuni carbs do. All other Mikuni or Hitachi carbs use a system like you pictured for the Hitachis (they vary a bit in detail and design, but they are all similar). Only the 550's use that "extra" bit of cable.

In fact, maybe Fitz will also point out (via pictures) another odd thing about the 550 Seca (only) Mikuni carbs....they have a stamped sheetmetal "heat shield" that fits under the carb float bowls. That shield is attached via the lower carb rack bracket screws, which means that you cannot remove the the float bowls from the carbs without removing the carbs from the bike!!! (550 Maxim's used the same carbs as the 550 Seca models, but do NOT use that heat shield).

How's that for a swell piece of factory engineering design?

 

Len is right. Pull the !@#$%^ rack anyways it's easier...anyway, where were we? Oh yeah, the goofy stub cable. Here are two pics, one on the bike, one off (from my spare rack o'carbs.) The little sheet metal bit is swedged onto the stub cable, the throttle cable fits into it and the other end fits into the cable swing on the throttle shaft. What broke? Your actual throttle cable end, or this silly little thing?

 

If you need another pic, say of how it fits onto the rack of carbs just say so. If the stub cable broke, PM Chacal and see if he has one. Let me know if you need any additional 550 Seca references.

 

I have an 1981 yamaha xj550, and I think my throttle cable bracket is to tall/long. Is there anyone else who had this problem? I bought a new aftermarket and just now an original 81xj 550 cable and bam it doesnt fit, the cable comes up to short but the bracket looks a tad long to me. (on my bike)

 

Hammer; go back and read "up" this thread. Install the cable at the twist grip FIRST, then route it to the back and into the holder. It then attaches to the "stub cable" in my pic, which actually attaches to the throttle quadrant. You'll have to rock the throttles to the "OPEN" position (against the spring tension) to bring it up far enough for the two cables to connect. If your "stub cable" is missing that's the problem. It might not be missing, just hanging down where you can't readily see it.

If you've got the original carbs, etc., then it's not a bracket that "grew" You're missing something. If you still can't figure it out, I'll shoot a couple of pics of one of my spare carb racks/brackets/cable quadrant so you can see how it goes together.

Sounds to me like you might be missing the "stub" cable. It's unique to the 550s.

 

Im for sure missing that stub cable dam, any idea on where I can get this or a fix for it?

 

Got 'em! In stock. Brand new. And sad to say, outrageously expensive for a tiny little cable.........

 

Let me guess $59.00?

 

Also what happens if we short the insulation around the wire cable and crimp it back shut?

 

HCP5196 OEM original THROTTLE "STUB" CABLE, short 3" long adapter cable that actually attaches to the #3 carb body throttle shaft bracket, and has the metal adapter that the main throttle cable (HCP2690 or HCP2649 listed below) hooks into, used on all XJ550 models only.
$ 36.95

 

Hammer; Take a close look at the pic. See the big nub on the "stub" cable? It engages the throttle shaft quadrant and wraps around it in a slot; the actual throttle cable hooks into the stamped/folded metal end piece, and the throttle cable itself has a different size nub that goes into the stub cable. The stub cable is exactly the right length for the job it has to do.

You pretty much have to have the damn stub cable. Any other solution risks a stuck throttle or an unexpected disconnect, neither any fun.

We should consider ourselves lucky that chacal has these because that little bugger ISN'T IN the Yamaha parts fiche for our bikes. Kinda like brake caliper sliding pin boots (he has those coming...)

 

Fitz, sorry for all my noob questions or statements but Im cheap and gotta make dew lol. I will have to order it I guess but hopefully from chacal because my local dealer has it for "59" haha those bastards

 

No apologies necessary. let me know if you need a pic or two.

 

Fitz, I need a pic or two.

 

No problem. Will get you some as soon as I get home, some time this eve (Thur)

 

excellent

 

Hammer; ask and ye shall receive:

Stub cable attaches to bottom of throttle quadrant



Throttle cable (imagine it) goes into bracket, and attaches to the folded-over end of the stub cable



On the bike, it looks like this. The throttle cable is seated in the bracket and pulling on the stub cable. Damn difficult spot to photograph without pulling the tank.



On both of my Seca 550s, the adjuster at the top on the curved piece that comes off the grip, is screwed nearly all the way in. Check there too.

Let me know if you need any more pics or info.---Fitz

 

WOW Fitz thanks alot for the pics, and yes its avery difficult spot to take a pic of.


GUESS WHAT GUYS

I just called my local parts store and they said they have it for my bike and will give it to me for 20 bucks. I hope this is the right one and will let u all know how it goes.

 

Yes I got that dam stub cable for 20 bucks wooow

 

nice! I was going to suggest maybe just trying to make your own if it came down to it, but OEM is always a better solution!

 

Yes it is.

 

Ok the top of my stub cable doesnt look like it will catch to anything, it looks to be a little bit off it not inline to catch anything. Fitz in your pics it looks like its straight in line to clip the quadrant but on mine it doesnt look like it.

 

Sorry for the confusion, photos #1 and #2 were taken of my spare rack o'carbs for clarity and what you DON'T see is the screwdriver wedged in to keep the throttles in the "open" position. Nothing lines up when the mechanism is at rest. Here's the easy way:

Slip the stub cable into the hole in the bottom of the quadrant (photo 1.) You will need to rock the throttle mechanism all the way "on" against the return spring to get to it. Then go ahead and let it relax, don't lose track of the end of the "stub."

Put your new throttle cable (already installed at the twist grip,) in place but just behind the bracket (photo 2.) Now pull the stub cable up (or rotate the throttle mech so that the stub cable comes up,) still photo 2; and attach the throttle cable end into the nubbin on the stub cable. If you rotate the mechanism itself don't let the damn stub cable fall out, or you'll have to invent a new name for it.

Now pull up on the throttle cable/stub cable and pop the cable end into the pocket on the bracket (the inner cable goes thru the slot) and go ahead and release the tension on the throttle mechanism.

Done. Adjust at handlebar, check at full lock in both directions.

 

Ok thanks, I was confused there for a second. Im doing it now so I will see how it goes. Sorry for all the noob questions.

 

No apologies necessary that's why we're here...