Ironhead CV throttle cable

[scottiemcdoogle]

Quick question for those with CV carbs on their ironheads. What throttle cable are y’all using?

I tried the stock replacement for an 81 XLH from J&P but I had to cut the housing back, that worked for a little while but it broke. So I bought one for a 1990 sportster thinking that bike came with a CV so it should work, but even with the slack adjusted all the way out the housing is too short. Not really sure which way to go now.

The nut that threads into the throttle tube was too small on both cables too. Not a huge deal but figured I’d mention it.

[JBinNC]

The screw in cables for CVs are from roughly '91 - '95. In '96 they went to the push-in cables. The CV throttle cables have 5/16-18 threads and fit the dual cable housings ('81 - '95). Depending on the length you need, you can choose from big twin or XL cables. In most cases you can drill and tap a single cable throttle housing for the later cable.

Jim

[Dragstews]

These Boys will make up a cable for your needs.

http://www.barnettclutches.com/cables.html

Can get fanny with the outer covering ...

[scottiemcdoogle]

Plenty of people here have CV carbs on their ironhead and I doubt they all had custom cables made. I just need to know what combination of throttle tube and cable will work so if it breaks I’m not ordering another expensive custom length cable.

[KevinN]

I have a stock throttle cable from a '95 dyna on my IH with CV carburetor. My throttle housing is an aftermarket Arlen Ness single cable model. Works as it should with the single cable.

[Tater66]

https://www.dragspecialties.com/products/?productId=248787

Poke around and find what you need.

Otherwise, if you happen to have W&W catalog, they have every possible cable config listed.

[farmall]

I cut cables and sheaths all the time and never use special cables because I don't want to hunt down another when I wear one out vs. grabbing a common cable and being back on the road that day. I have a serious "be able to fix everything in the field" fetish.

If it broke you did it wrong but it's easy to do it right. Exactly what broke and where? I use whatever cable fits the throttle but I'm not picky since the relationship between inner cable and outer sheath is what matters.

An abrasive cutoff disk in anything from a Dremel to an angle grinder severs cables and sheaths neatly without leaving burrs. I use the cheap Kiwav and Dorman cable end kits (their ends are reusable) to terminate the cable at the carb end.

https://www.amazon.com/KiWAV-universal-clutch-throttle-collecting/dp/B009YEYN6A

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-3336-Cable-Assortment-Piece/dp/B000COCPZM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B04QHN0GRQ5G46AK0FSX

I've used Barnett cables since the 1970s.

[scottiemcdoogle]

I have a stock throttle cable from a '95 dyna on my IH with CV carburetor. My throttle housing is an aftermarket Arlen Ness single cable model. Works as it should with the single cable.

Would the housing that came with the dyna cable not work?

If something breaks on the road I want to be able to fix it without having to special order each piece individually.

[scottiemcdoogle]

https://www.dragspecialties.com/prod...oductId=248787

Poke around and find what you need.

Otherwise, if you happen to have W&W catalog, they have every possible cable config listed.

I don’t know what I need, that’s the problem.

Knowing only the housing length doesn’t do me any good because I need the perfect amount of cable length in order for it to hook up right.

[scottiemcdoogle]

I cut cables and sheaths all the time and never use special cables because I don't want to hunt down another when I wear one out vs. grabbing a common cable and being back on the road that day. I have a serious "be able to fix everything in the field" fetish.

If it broke you did it wrong but it's easy to do it right. Exactly what broke and where? I use whatever cable fits the throttle but I'm not picky since the relationship between inner cable and outer sheath is what matters.

An abrasive cutoff disk in anything from a Dremel to an angle grinder severs cables and sheaths neatly without leaving burrs. I use the cheap Kiwav and Dorman cable end kits (their ends are reusable) to terminate the cable at the carb end.

https://www.amazon.com/KiWAV-universal-clutch-throttle-collecting/dp/B009YEYN6A

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-3336-Cable-Assortment-Piece/dp/B000COCPZM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B04QHN0GRQ5G46AK0FSX

I've used Barnett cables since the 1970s.

That’s my whole point, if this breaks I want to be able to walk into a store and get another one.

The cable that I had on there that worked for a while started acting weird one day and it wouldn’t return to idle so I broke it out of frustration trying to get it off. It was a stock cable for 81 XLH that I had took a cutoff wheel and shortened the housing on. But the barrel on the cable didn’t match up with the nut on the throttle so it had a sloppy fit.

I don’t know if I trust those cable ends kits. I would rather find a cable that works right out of the bag so I can replace it on the road in case it snaps on a trip.

[JBinNC]

I don’t know what I need, that’s the problem.

Knowing only the housing length doesn’t do me any good because I need the perfect amount of cable length in order for it to hook up right.

Look at my post #2, this thread. I gave you your answer. The CV specific throttle cable will have the correct free length to function on a CV carb, no matter the bike it is specified for. Figure out the housing length and elbow angle you need for your bike, and pick one. Note the part number so you can replace it if it ever fails. I have done this dozens of times on pieced together bikes, and the only time I've needed a custom cable is for the tall apes, and even some of those are stocked by distributors like Drag Spec.

Jim

[scottiemcdoogle]

Look at my post #2, this thread. I gave you your answer. The CV specific throttle cable will have the correct free length to function on a CV carb, no matter the bike it is specified for. Figure out the housing length and elbow angle you need for your bike, and pick one. Note the part number so you can replace it if it ever fails. I have done this dozens of times on pieced together bikes, and the only time I've needed a custom cable is for the tall apes, and even some of those are stocked by distributors like Drag Spec.

Jim

What’s the difference between 1990 and 91 if they both had CV carbs?

[DustyDave]

I keep a sack full of cable parts and make whatever is needed at the time seems like a no brainer to me. http://www.flandersco.com/FlanCableSearch.html If I hit something really wierd or a 4 handed panic I keep some 1/2 brass stock and can machine up those ferrels , ends and adapters.
Dusty

[JBinNC]

What’s the difference between 1990 and 91 if they both had CV carbs?

In your initial post, you stated that the threads on both cables you tried were too small for the throttle housing. That would indicate that you may have had the wrong cable in both instances.
The dual cable throttle cables all have 5/16-18 threads. The idle cables have 1/4-20 threads, as do the throttle cables for the earlier single cable controls.

Jim

[JBinNC]

There is a difference in the cable guides on CV carbs, depending on whether they were originally for a big twin or an XL. I do not know if that affects the free length of the cable, but I do not think it does, as I have not noticed any issues when mixing and matching these parts. Do you know where your CV came from?

Jim