Restoration of 1951 Vincent Rapide - Part 93 - Making dual throttle cables

[@KymHammond]

Splaying the cable strands to take solder, great idea. Splaying the cable strands with your nervous thumb - half expected at any moment one of the wire strand would slip deeply under your nail and there would be an odd jump cut back to the soldering with thumb now in a tight bandage. Never thought for a moment, as Steve says above, that such a simple task could be so captivating: both carbs need gently curved brass guide tubes at a suitable length for each, so that the cable shield either doesn’t travel all the way back to the carb under such strain or that they are big enough to slide the cable shield and all into so as provide extra support. There. See how fascinating that was. I must say Mike, a workbench with a British bike motor shell, crankshaft and suitable bearing laying about on it is a very fine bench indeed. Best

[@nigeldavis4220]

All I can say is that you’re very brave to film and post what you did and even more brave that you left your mistake in. Great job Mike and fabulous camera work as always.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you so much Nigel! I really appreciate your comment. Hope all is well! Best wishes, Mike

[@ninjafrogg5721]

I'm sure you needed something a little stronger than tea after this one.😉 Great job Mike, you're a very patient man.👍😎🏍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, I sure did need something stronger my friend! It wasn't my favorite project 😉

[@johnb5519]

Well done. Eliminating the extra drag of the splitter, should make for an overall easier, and smoother pull.

[@eddiebradford1571]

Hi Mike good job done and very neat soldering, keep up the good work mate😊👍

[@tadpoles10]

Thanks as always for sharing Mike, have to say it's a 'long long' time since I made up or repaired a throttle/brake cable, bought back happy memories .. 👍 😉 atvb t ..

[@Frightningman]

I must commend you for having the honesty to show your mistakes. It would have been all to easy to edit things to make it look like you got it right first time. Well done!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you very much, Frank. I appreciate it. Best wishes, Mike

[@dducdude6315]

Good on ya Mike! Thanks for the detailed, lesson. I hate making cables, that is why I have the same cables on my carbs that came from the PO.. Cheers Eric

[@TheDavey333]

Nice job in the end, we all make mistakes and drinking tea is a must 😀 Better using two cables, it does make things easier, when it comes to adjusting. Have a great week Mike 👍

[@KymHammond]

Yes, the tea! Dremml filing and silicone spray would taste very odd I’m sure. Needs one of those little Chinese tea cups with a lid for in the workshop.

[@wdhewson]

I've been using bicycle shifter cables, inner and outer, for throttles. They seem more supple and less friction in bends that the generally supplied motorcycle cables. Plenty strong enough. And often stainless. But there are cheaper bicycle shifter cables to avoid that have very stiff outers.

[@RWayne-nu2fi]

Another great video....... nice work on the cables.

[@gerrypowell2748]

Now that looked tricky but satisfying😉

[@thomastraddles1204]

Very nice video. many thanks. Your Rapide project is wonderful to follow.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Thomas! I really appreciate it. I can't believe that it's nearly at 100 videos! Best wishes, Mike

[@metman3]

The REAL "Drive By Wire"! 😆 Great job, Mike! Thanks for leaving in the "Uh-Oh" as well... we've all been there on projects. Nice recovery. Cheers!

[@erwinballings9155]

Nice job Mike, thanks for sharing.

[@glenbreaks5448]

Hi Mike I did much the same with my Rapide a few years ago. Prior to that the cables were nylon lined ( not Venhills Teflon)with the splitter. Nylon is hygroscopic, as I learned on a wet trip from Vancouver BC to Grass Valley, CA. On the second day of hard rain the throttle cables began sticking. The nylon liner had expanded from the moisture. Not fun! Once home I purchased a Tomaselli dual pull throttle and sent a throttle cable drawing/sketch off to Venhills. I have used their universal kits but wanted these cables in Featherlight, the SS inner with Teflon liner. The kits I've used have all been regular galvanized, they don't/didn't sell the Featherlight stainless in kit form. This is because it requires silver soldering which is maybe a bit much for most home shops. The nice thing about the full Featherlight cable is that they do not require lube, in fact they work better without lube( stay clean and grit free) The friction of SS on Teflon is almost nil. Teflon is not hygroscopic, thankfully. I also had threaded steel elbows added at the carb tops, made by Venhills to specific angles on my drawing . This was an area of concern with the old setup. In the end my drawing was off a bit, the free length was almost too great. I've put the changes on the drawing and a few other Rapide owners have used it with good results. I think you will find the dual pull to be a much better setup.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Glen for the great advice. I didn't know that Venhill will make cables to order. I may just look into that!! Best wishes, Mike

[@glenbreaks5448]

@@TheMightyGarage Hi Mike The Venhills custom cables are a bit pricey but the quality is superb. They also stock quite a number of ready made cables in Featherlight for more common bikes like the Commando. I switched from a freshly lubed standard clutch cable to a dry Featherlight (ss& Teflon) on the Commando. That reduced clutch lever pull by 1/3 as measured with a spring gauge. Cost was around 16 GBP iirc. There is also Venhills USA, perhaps you purchased your kit from them?

[@TheMightyGarage]

@@glenbreaks5448 Thank you very much Glen. I will take a look for sure. I also forgot to mention that I loved the idea of the elbows coming out of the top of the carbs. I can see already that the cables are bent more than I would have liked, and I haven't got the bike of the bench yet! Best wishes

[@chrisnightingale6417]

Nice job Mike 👍

[@54macdog]

17:38 Wonderful memories of that show. "They don't like it up 'em!"

[@gisellesuffolk9826]

Exactly the same setup on 76 Ducati 860. Changed them to two individual cables for the same reason. Note on the Ducati I deleted the choke assy altogether by replacing the choke cables with flip-up types from Moto Guzzi. Great work and you have way more patience than me.

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉 thank you! I was running out of patience towards the end I must say. Best wishes, Mike

[@danmcneil7181]

Congratulations Mike on a successful cable refit. Seems like a lot of fussy fitting but looks great. Cheers, 🏍👍🇨🇦

[@whiterabbit201]

You should try Barnett Cables. I've used them on a few custom bikes and their quality is excellent.

[@charliesharpe5004]

Mike, I know I'm old-fashioned but the original cable set-up has its benefits. Try this: Using the friction adjuster on the twistgrip, open both throttles until each slide will just accept a half-inch drill shank. Now move the handlebars to full lock both ways and check the slide height again. Dual cables have a differential curve front and rear, therefore the inner/ outer lie is unequal. Admittedly the front cable can be improved with a copper or brass elbow and a huge zip tie around the U.F.M. holding the cable close. The original design meant that once 1/8" of play was allowed for handlebar movement both cables stayed equal once the rear cable was balanced with the front one. P.E.I. knew what he was about. Cheers from OZ.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks Charlie. I really appreciate your help with this. Best wishes, Mike

[@klaasbloem]

Very good idea to eliminate the splitter!

[@rscaryrsc]

Your skill and patience illustrate why I like single carb engines. Excellent job, Mike.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

My old 1981 T140E Bonneville has a similar set up as the stock Vincent for it's throttle cables.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks David, yes the Norton Commando also has the cable splitter! Cheers, Mike

[@derekgee4223]

Good video Mike thank you

[@ketilfrengen]

Good job 👍

[@paulwoods682]

Good video Mike, I just spent hours and hours on the same project on my 1973 Bonneville. The parts that I bought (new double twistgrip and cables) were really poor quality, I ended up refurbishing the refitting my original two into one throttle cables and eliminating the chokes altogether. I had to make a new ferrule for the top of the throttle cable in order to get the right amount of adjustment. Interested in the comments of WD Hewson because I also found the replacement cable inner I bought way too stiff, with high amount of friction where the cables bend. All in all an extremely frustrating exercise, particularly buying replacement parts that were not able to be used.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Paul. That's a great idea to make your own ferrule to help with the adjustment. I haven't tried them with the bike started yet, but they seem a little tight and so I've been thinking of possible options. Cutting down the end of the ferrule came to mind, so thanks for the advice. Best wishes, Mike

[@andrewmeers2086]

well done mate

[@trevorlock642]

I had to make custom throttle cables for my 1976 Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport when I fitted Mikuni carburetors. My biggest piece of advice is to buy a gas soldering iron, they are way better! I hope you used silver solder, as it is stronger. Finally, Oxford Sturmey Archer 3 Speed Cable works beautifully for older bikes, as it is thinner than the Venhill cable.

[@stevewalden3814]

This was very helpful to me - thank you!

[@autodidact537]

It's strange how motorcycle cables don't use the technology of bicycles. The control cables I installed on my bicycle have a low friction liner inside the outer cable housing & the control cable is coated with Teflon. It makes the function of the brakes & gears buttery smooth & since it needs no oil or grease they run dry & dirt free & last longer.

[@Colin399]

It’s like cutting the legs on a stool that job😂

[@mickducati1947]

Top job m8 😜👍

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Neat job Mike, why change from the 1 into 2, to the dual cables, is it more original or more efficient or both?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Kevin, the original is actually the 1-into-2 setup. I'm hoping that this 2 separate cable setup will be smoother to operate by removing the splitter. The cables ended up taking the same route as the originals, but the splitter requires some extra adjustments. I also removed the chokes, so that should hopefully help with the tightness of the cables. Best wishes, Mike

[@candymintz]

it would appear that the secret to getting lots of subscribers is to include cupcakes, just watched Alan Millyard and his Triumph...way to go cupcakes!

[@TornadoCAN99]

Good work Sir. I've learned how to make up cables following this bloke "Lunmad"'s work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHzGZpqAe89kbdk Did you check for proper slack at the extremes of left/right handlebar position? I've found that can be an issue if the drooping section from the grip isn't slack enough.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you very much for the advice!! I love watching Lunmad's videos and have watched some of them many times. Thanks for the note about checking the length of the cables. That's a great point and I will definitely check when the bike is off the bench. Best wishes, Mike

[@TornadoCAN99]

@@TheMightyGarage Ive found if not right the engine rpm at idle can change as I turn the bars left/right. Since learned that the cable needs about 1/16-1/8" minimum free play at the throttle end at either extreme bar position. Seems to prevent idle rpm varying.

[@TheMightyGarage]

@@TornadoCAN99 Thanks a lot. I will definitely look out for that. I appreciate your advice, thanks. Mike