OK, I'm about due to install my third throttle cable in 18 months on my Traveler. Last one the cable "sawed" through the housing, leaving me to use a bungee cord as a cable to get home since stepping on the gas just took the slack out of the bends in the cable. Now the cable sheath cracked and broke right at the fitting on the carb end, leaving a 90-degree bend in the cable and a throttle that sticks open.

So has anyone come up with a cheap, easy, better replacement? Maybe some sort of mechanical linkage?

Thanks,
Darel

i have been using a Lokar throttle cable and it seems very strong and its lasted me for a long time. I'm gonna change my throttle return spring to something not quite as tough to push down too because my pedal is a son of a bitch to push down, :D , and that should let the cable last longer as well. The cable cost something around 30 dollars i think and i got it at a racing performance store.
charlie

Made one out of a ten speed brake cable. About $5.

Now there's an idea! I should have thought of that earlier.

I've never heard of this. Should I take preventative measures???

I think your doing something wrong. Mines original, 26 years old, works great!

I think your doing something wrong. Mines original, 26 years old, works great!
same here, is yours at a weird angle or something??


You have some issues somewere, or just really bad luck.



The 10-speed idea is good, and the Lokar you would probably never have to worry about.

I think I have one from a ford (something) can't remember where it came from. Getting old - can't rember where half my parts came from now. :D

Ritch

OK, I'm about due to install my third throttle cable in 18 months on my Traveler. Last one the cable "sawed" through the housing, leaving me to use a bungee cord as a cable to get home since stepping on the gas just took the slack out of the bends in the cable. Now the cable sheath cracked and broke right at the fitting on the carb end, leaving a 90-degree bend in the cable and a throttle that sticks open.

So has anyone come up with a cheap, easy, better replacement? Maybe some sort of mechanical linkage?

Thanks,
Darel
The stock throttle cable housings are prone to splitting, ESPECIALLY if you have no slack when your skinny pedal is mashed to the floor. You can get the cables to last if you re-adjust the cable so the pedal bottoms out on the floorboard before the carb is at WOT. Already stated, but too heavy of a return spring will also split the housing in short order.

For cheap insurance against splitting again, you can wrap the outer cable housing along it's length with some 0.030" wire, then tape or shrink wrap the whole thing. I did this to my diesel fuel cable (waaayyy longer than the gasser cables, but they are made the same pis-poor way).

I will wrap the new cable when I get it but the one i have now is too far gone to worry about.

Is there a reason the cable is so long in the Scouts? Mine has a fairly large loop in it. I would think it would last longer and give a little better "feel" if it just barely had enough slack in it to allow for engine/body flex and that's it.

Thanks,
Darel

I have never lost one but I did buy an extra and it rides around with me. Didn't cost that much and sure doesn't weigh much and gives me peace of mind.

Broke mine at the dunes this year. Put another used factory in it's place and it's fine. Although I did have to modify it a bit, my 79 had a differant style. I have thought about a bicycle cable too. I now carry a spare.

I broke my original off while installing my MSD. A foot was placed in the wrong place and snapped it. Guess it was better to snap there than in the middle of BFE.... I just bought one from a light line dealer for the heck of it......but the ten speed idea would be cool....and cheaper.

I've been lucky and have never snapped one, I just have problems with the sheath either cracking at the ends, splitting, or getting sawed right through at a bend. I think this weekend I'm going to get out the bike cable.
Darel