kz650 throttle cables?

Hey guys,

one of my throttle cables snapped in my bike and a buddy of mine kind of answered my question but I feel he might not know what he's talking about. the cable that snapped is the one that makes the bike accelerate. Is that the push or pull cable?

Also, are the push and pull cables any different from each other? or are they interchangeable.

and finally, I have a 1978 kz650 H. can I get a throttle cable for a kz650 B, or A, or other model and still be ok? I don't understand the difference in the letters.

thanks!
Nate

del

Skydivelife wrote:

... Is that the push or pull cable? Nate

Hello Nate, and Welcome to the site. We're glad you're here!

All braided cables are PULL (think rope). The only push cable I know about is the solid inner wire style cable used on some lawn mower throttles (for example) where the same cable pushes and pulls without benefit of a return spring system.

If you have a 1978 it has to be either a B (std.) a C (Custom) or possibly a D (SR). These should share a common cable. The H models (650 CSR) were not produced until 81 and because of the mini ape handlebars they have longer cables. If your cable that broke is an oem cable it should have a number printed on the outside of the cable ex. 12-140 is the pull cable from a 650 C and would translate into part # 54012-140.

FYI

Z1E throttle cable

And in case it wasn't explained it is the "pull" cable you want. The 2 cables "push" and "pull" are not the same cable, although many people dispute this. The difference is in the chrome elbows on the cables up by your throttle grip. Look at how they are mounted, you'll see that the length and shaping of this elbow is different between the two cables. It has to be this way because of the close spacing between the cables to twist them into the throttle housing one would butt against the other if they were the same, so you'd fully screw in the first cable, then go to fully screw in the second only to find out you can't because the first one is in the way. You could probably use the same cable, but one would be scewed all the way in and the other only a few threads until it butted against the first. Look at your steering stem for serial number as patton said, the letter after the KZ650 determines what model you have. B, C or D in 1978

thanks guys!

the reason I thought is was an H is because it says that on my insurance? looks like I have to get something fixed or checked out. but thanks for all your advice!

-Nate

As explained above, both cables are "pull" cables. They each pull on the throttle cable pulley which in turn operates the carb throttle valves (slides); one cable pulls them open and one pulls them shut. Sounds like you need the throttle opening cable, but I would replace both (they are different) while you have things pulled apart. Also, I would check to ensure they are routed correctly and not binding. That may have caused your cable to fail as the Kawasaki cables last nearly forever if lubed annually. Ed.

The H model designation on your Insurance papers should be fine.
The Insurance Co's listings for the KZ650 often go back only 25 years, giving them an H model to relate to, and use the longer VIN #s sometimes as well.

Mine is like that as well.

Welcome. Throw up some pix of your ride/s as well, and put your bike info and your location in your signature. It helps when trying to answer your questions.