72 CB500 Four Clubman Bars Cable Length??

[gioventures]

So im looking to install some clubman bars that i purchased from DCC on my 1972 CB500 Four K0. They are EMGO bars with a Width of 27.5" Center: 6.5"
Pullback: 4.5" Rise: 4.75" DIA: 7/8"

The question is, what cable length do I need for this set up with my push/pill throttle cables, clutch cable, tach, and speedo. If any one has exact measurements, it would be helpful. What cable length do you have on your set up? Will my stock cable lengths work, or will there be too much "slack" for positive throttle feedback with low bars???

 

[carnivorous chicken]

There are other folks who can point you where to buy shorter cables, but I usually just make the stock length ones work by rerouting. Throttle cables, for example, can be turned to point forward coming from the grip before turning and running along the frame and under the tank. It looks perfectly fine IMHO, but like I said, others will likely disagree and tell you where you can spend more $.

 

[chillinfellow]

First try running with rerouting the stocks like Carnivorous said, worked fine for me, threw a set on on 78 kz 400 and worked just fine, took a little putzin around for routing them but a lot easier then switching them out.

 

[gioventures]

If only my stock cables were still good then I would.. How ever they are all rusted out from the previous owner keeping it exposed to weather so now I'm forced to but new ones either way. I figured since I'm buying new ones and adding clubmans, I might as well find measurement info to make it look good and function properly.. But thanks for the tips.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

I'd say if shortened ones are gonna cost you an arm and a leg compared to stock length ones, consider just running stock length ones. Should be around $20 new for stock.

 

[75cb550]

I just got new shorter cables for my 75 cb550. I ordered them from motionpro, it was expensive. I got both throttle cables and the clutch. I ordered the throttles to be 4" shorter than factory, but I could've gone with 5-6" shorter. I really didn't want to order them too small, since they don't accept returns on custom cables, so I ordered a little bigger to be safe. Same with the clutch. I ordered the clutch cable to be 6" shorter and I probably could've gone to 7-8". But the housing of the cable was too short in relation to the inner metal cable, so I'm still trying to figure out how to make that one work at all. I also ordered their cable lube tool and its kind of garbage, the ends of the cable don't really fit into it, but it's fairly necessary. All together its kind of an expensive risk, but if you need shorter cables it's kind of your only option. Anyway, hope this helps. I know I was looking for this same info a month ago.

 

[lassenc]

I just got new shorter cables for my 75 cb550. I ordered them from motionpro, it was expensive. I got both throttle cables and the clutch. I ordered the throttles to be 4" shorter than factory, but I could've gone with 5-6" shorter. I really didn't want to order them too small, since they don't accept returns on custom cables, so I ordered a little bigger to be safe. Same with the clutch. I ordered the clutch cable to be 6" shorter and I probably could've gone to 7-8". But the housing of the cable was too short in relation to the inner metal cable, so I'm still trying to figure out how to make that one work at all. I also ordered their cable lube tool and its kind of garbage, the ends of the cable don't really fit into it, but it's fairly necessary. All together its kind of an expensive risk, but if you need shorter cables it's kind of your only option. Anyway, hope this helps. I know I was looking for this same info a month ago.

It is the only option? What happened to soldering new cable ends and shortening stock cables?

 

[75cb550]

He said his factory cables are rusted through and he has to buy new ones anyway. So yes, this is his only option.

Nice try.

 

[lassenc]

He said his factory cables are rusted through and he has to buy new ones anyway. So yes, this is his only option.

Nice try.

Buy stock, shorten. Buy cables from Venhill, make them yourself. That's two options right there.

 

[75cb550]

Good job man. Maybe I underestimated gioventures abilities, but he didn't strike me as someone who wanted to go through all that. The best way to make cable ends is by using a solder pot, and I figured he didn't have one laying around. I didn't want to suggest something that may fail on him, especially if he has no experience soldering. I gave him what he asked for, which I doubt he even saw. It seems you have some sort of emotional attachment to homemade cable ends, sorry that I offended you.

 

[gioventures]

Thanks Noisewater. Yes your first post did indeed help. And you are right I don't have the experience, time, skill, nor the want to make my own cables. This is simply a restoration/cafe build using simple after market parts to give it the cafe look and OEM replacement parts to keep a bit of its originality. I did take a look at motionpro's site and found that they had cables specifically made for the CB500 which is nice to see. Out of curiosity I just wanted to see if they could custom make the cables a bit shorter to fit my clubman set up along with their very nice looking stainless steel cable coat. I emailed them to get some quotes and found that the wires, for obvious reasons, shot up significantly in price. Im talking aprox. $400 smackers for Push/Pull Cables, Tach & Speedo, and 1 Clutch cable. And that excludes shipping which apparently is aprox another $12-$15 on top of all that. Not to mention the cables aren't lubricated so it would be a good idea to purchase their cable lube spray AND in order to lube up those nice cables of theirs you would need to ALSO purchase the cable lubricator tool they have.

After adding up the total price and changing my pants, I decided to look for any possible alternative cable making companies that also offered the cables I was looking for in a stainless steel configuration. I came across a company called Barnett whom also specialize in custom cables. They how ever, did not have any products specifically for the CB500 on their site like Motionpro did but they can customize cables as well if you send them the originals and specify the length you'd prefer. Again they too were quite high in price how ever they were a bit cheaper than motionpro. Id say by $50. In addition to that they mentioned in their email that unlike motionpro, their cables do not require lubrication but if in the future id like to add my own for preventative maintenance, its more than welcome. Lesson learned...unless im going for a show bike and looking to spend more money than anticipated for a little flare, I think ill just stick to Motionpro's normal black wrapped replacement cables that are made for the cb500 off of their site that is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than having them custom made. Im sure i can bend them to fit my clubmans. Thanks for the info and maybe others can take away some more info with my reply if they too are looking into stainless steel flare.