choke (starter) cable

[letchworth rider]

The unobtainium starter cable for a 1981 GS750EX. Has anyone modified the parts unlimited cable so it works? 3 days of searching for original came up with NADA.

[Eli69]

I have a bunch of choke cables. What does it look like?

[rphillips]

I may be wrong, but it seems the "81" 750 E starter cable, part # 58400-45110, is readily available by part #, from ebay. Both OEM used or new aftermarket. The one not available is for the GS100GL, part # 58400-49010. Hope this helps.

[letchworth rider]

Been there done that. The aftermarket cable does not screw in to the center of the steering like original. Have yet to see and original looking cable on ebay. If you find one please let me know. The threading into the center of the headstock is the issue.

[Grimly]

'Bout twenty years ago I had a similar problem. I just used a car choke cable and welded the dashboard retaining nut to the headstock top nut. It works fine.
The other bike has a bonnet release cable as a choke cable - exact same procedure.

[rphillips]

OOhhh, sorry to hear. 2 on ebay are advertised as new OEM, but from Japan. Seeing the trouble you're having, I probably couldn't trust they would fit either. Seems odd as other GS's use that same cable. I remember the day there were no choke cables, only a little lever, or knob for the CV carbs, that worked perfectly & we never needed to fool with nor find a replacement choke (starter) cable, then they "improved" them & now there are folks in a bind because of the improvements. I never have & still don't like those useless cables.

[Rob S.]

It's an 'improvement' because you can keep your left hand on the clutch so the starter can spin as your thumb works the choke. I never had a problem with the lever on the carbs of my CB350 or Z1, of course those bikes didn't have the clutch starter lockout.

Even after my thumb lever was repaired on the 11E, I still helped it with other hand on the carbs. I didn't want to put too much strain on the thumb lever.

[rphillips]

"IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT?????? Rob, you ain't had a few nips have you?? Point was, your "thumb lever was repaired", I never remember the lever nor knob on the earlier carbs needing any repair. Didn't want to put "too much strain on the lever", never had to think about too much strain on the earlier lever nor knob as they weren't plastic, this thread is about "finding, buying, & replacing" a choke cable, with the old ones there was no chance of finding, buying, or replacing a choke cable. I never needed to "adjust the choke setting while holding the clutch & starter was spinning" I've never done that, never needed to...but that's just me, without a nip.

[Rob S.]

"IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT?????? Rob, you ain't had a few nips have you?? Point was, your "thumb lever was repaired", I never remember the lever nor knob on the earlier carbs needing any repair. Didn't want to put "too much strain on the lever", never had to think about too much strain on the earlier lever nor knob as they weren't plastic, this thread is about "finding, buying, & replacing" a choke cable, with the old ones there was no chance of finding, buying, or replacing a choke cable. I never needed to "adjust the choke setting while holding the clutch & starter was spinning" I've never done that, never needed to...but that's just me, without a nip.

I happen to agree with you completely, but here's what the July 1982 Cycle World had to say:

"The GS1100 finally comes with the choke lever mounted at the left handlebar rather than in the center of the steering stem. Remote choke lever locations are not a big problem on all bikes, but Suzukis as a group need a lot of choke fiddling during the first minute or two after startup. The engine starts immediately on full choke and then goes to about 4500-rpm-and-climbing unless the choke is quickly backed off about halfway."

The choke levers on my CB350 and Z1 were right on the carbs and worked fine. And yes, I am 'partaking of the sacrament' right now. Don't forget to genuflect when you say, "Cycle World."

[letchworth rider]

At this point I have ordered the best appearing used cable on EBAY. Wish me luck!

[rphillips]

No doubt, wishing the best. It's easy to just pull out on the choke linkage, down on the side of the carbs, would work fine if it had a stop to hold it out while squeezing the clutch....Naw that would be too simple & old fashioned.

[letchworth rider]

I got a used cable off EBAY, No fraying, but very stiff. Ended up slitting the cover at the binding spot and lubing. It freed up. Covered the slit with a long section of shrink tube Also changed the knob cover from the old cable. The seller did give me a partial refund . For the price it will work.

[rphillips]

Congrats, I hate it when something that should be so simple gets so aggravatng. Good to go till next time.