Maintenance/repairs

**J.H.** · 7th March 2005, 18:16

I've only been biking for a few weeks so have limited experience. My throttle cable just snapped(luckily I was only 100 metres from home). I'm thinking of replacing the cable myself so I don't have to lug the bike to the mechanic and to increase my knowledge . I realise I'll have to take the tank off to get in there. while thats off I'll wash the air cleaner. my ?'s are what do you soak the air cleaner in. whats a good chain lube(o-rings)to use. wheres a good place to get these general accessories(and throttle cable) in wellington. who thinks I'm dreaming; trying to do this myself! any comments welcome!

**Madguitarist!** · 7th March 2005, 19:20

Welcome to the site! :spudwave:

Its good to learn abt your bike and how to do basic maintenance. The cable change is relatively harmless but I really can't help you with parts in Welly.

**scumdog** · 7th March 2005, 19:26

Go for it! Even if you don't get it right first time it's easy job to rectify you mistake.

Even the best mechanics started on jobs like this.

**Holy Roller** · 7th March 2005, 19:37

Just make sure you reroute it in the correct place. Even if you have to draw a little pix to help remind you.

I had a shop do mine on my GPZ and they got it wrong so that the throttle stuck open on a right hand turn resulting in dropping the bike on a roundabout, and a couple of heart stopping moments on the open road.

Hate to see the same happen to someone else.

**Storm** · 7th March 2005, 20:52

Get in there mate!!Its the only way to get to know your bike inside and out, and the satisfaction value will be immense
You can clean your filter in either petrol (not sure if this is safe on all types of filters) mineral turps or a dedicated air filter wash brew(see your local bike shops) .If you know any dirt bikers, they'll probably be more practised with it than I
Best of luck mate

**FROSTY:Me** · 7th March 2005, 21:12

do it yaself dude. its easy on a fxr.
The tip here is to route the new cable alongside the old one before ya fit it.
the most difficult part of the whole job will be removing the screws holding the switchblock together-sometimes theyre siezed in and the screw heads just dissapear.
heres the drill
remove seat.
undo the 2 bolts holding the front seat support then the two bolts holding the tank in place. Youl be able to lift the rear of the tank
Unplug fuel sensor and remove fuel line from the tank then pull the tank off backwards.
Underneath the throttle switchblock are two screws Undoo them and the switchblock will split in two.
Route the new cable alongside the old one.
Disconnect the cable from the carb and connect the new one up.
making sure you run it the correct way round the throttle tube connect the other end of the cable.
reverse as above and the throttle will work just dandy

**outlawtorn** · 7th March 2005, 22:55

Welcome to the website and good luck with the cable change, I'm terrified of that mechanical stuff, I can't even change a light fitting let alone a bloody bike cable.