Choke Cable Stuck/Frozen

[Revjoel]

It was about 19 this morning when I attempted to fire up my GS. The only challenge was that the choke cable was stuck (I presume frozen) and I couldn't pull it out. Ended up driving the cage.

The cable was lubed with a silicone spray not too long ago. What is my best option for getting it to move again? (Given that it's not going to get that warm today and I'll want to ride tomorrow morning)

My thought was to go get a dual-screw cable luber from Cycle Gear and soak the cables good...

[eil]

I wonder if the silicone spray had some water in it, or if there was already water in the cable.

Don't know off-hand if the choke cable can be taken apart without cutting it. If so, it would be best to do so and clean it thoroughly. If not, it may be best to buy a new one. (OEM, of course.)

For cable lube, I would tend toward lithium grease or the special cable lube that they sell. I'm sure others will chime in with their preferred lubricants as well.

[Guest]

Never heard of a choke cable freezing before, how bloody cold is it where you are?? Are you sure the cable hasn't gotten stuck near the carbs? or that something has gone wrong under at the handle bar? anyways, if it was frozen wouldn't a hair drying fix things?

[Revjoel]

Thanks. I'm in Atlanta, GA just a ways south of you.

if it was frozen wouldn't a hair drying fix things?

It would but I'm in an apartment and don't have a 60-foot extension cord. That does give me reason to go to Lowe's though. I like your thinking...

[Steve]

Never heard of a choke cable freezing before, how bloody cold is it where you are??

He answered that in the first post, 19F, which, for you, is -7C.


Revjoel, the BEST solution would be a new cable, but you would not have it for tomorrow's ride.

Part number 58400-45110, it will cost $18.61 at Parts Outlaw.

When you get to the checkout page, enter the word "BANG" in the promo box, you will get free shipping.

.

[ryanrod]

if it was frozen wouldn't a hair drying fix things?

That's what I was going to suggest ha

[Revjoel]

Thanks, Steve. I'll spring for one soon. Pun intended.

[Guest]

Are you sure it's the cable? Did you check choke rod on the carbs? It can get all gunked up making it hard to slide through the carbs. Clean it and lube the rod good. Then see if it is cable as well.

[Revjoel]

MrBill, the rod slides back and forth easily. Going to lube the cable first and see. I bought the luber and lube tonight.

[Guest]

He answered that in the first post, 19F, which, for you, is -7C.


Revjoel, the BEST solution would be a new cable, but you would not have it for tomorrow's ride.

Part number 58400-45110, it will cost $18.61 at Parts Outlaw.

When you get to the checkout page, enter the word "BANG" in the promo box, you will get free shipping.

.

Why is someone riding a motorcycle in -7 weather???

[habsdoc]

Why not ride at that temperature??? Alot of times that is an overnight low temp, but then it does warm up during the day. You can just manually pull the choke on at the carbs and usually by the time you finish your trip your cable is freed up again. Lubing the cable may help some, but if it is corroded at all, it will only get harder and harder to use. Replacement advised.

[habsdoc]

Temperature???

The only reason to not ride when the temperature drops below 0, is if there are bad conditions like snow and ice. If I was to not ride when the temperature gets close to or below 0, I would loose 30-45 days of my already short riding season. I just gear up and enjoy as much time on my bike as possible. We all can't live in tropical areas because it would just be to crowded there then.

[Guest]

The only reason to not ride when the temperature drops below 0, is if there are bad conditions like snow and ice. If I was to not ride when the temperature gets close to or below 0, I would loose 30-45 days of my already short riding season. I just gear up and enjoy as much time on my bike as possible. We all can't live in tropical areas because it would just be to crowded there then.

That is very true!!! there's nothing special going on over here, best to stay where you are

[Guest]

Listen to these guys riding in below zero weather, here I hate the 80 degree 50-60 mph dust storms here in the spring....

[mikerophone]

Not happy about putting the bikes away for winter here either! Hoping it warms up for a few more rides, last year I rode all the way into December but this pre-Thanksgiving cold spell might signal the end of my season. I'll take the heat and dust storms over the snow in the winter here in Utah but you can keep the heat in the summer!