Hello,
This is my first post and I was wondering if anybody else has had my problem. The bike is a 1973 R75/5 SWB. I am restoring this bike and ordered new BMW cables from Benchmark Works. After installing and syncing the idle, I attempted to synch off idle but I didn't get very far. I soon discovered that the barrel on the end of the cable was binding in the carrier after a returning from a strong throttle pull causing one side to be just slightly off idle. Flicking the cable with my finger solves the problem but that's still a problem for me. After measuring the barrel on the new cable i found it to be .020 smaller than the cable I took out. The cable carrier on the carb measures .26" and the old cable measured .258"; a perfect fit. The new BMW cable barrel measures .238" at the edge and .240" in the middle. Kinda sloppy. I can put the old cable back in but does anybody have any insight here?
Best regards, Dave
Let me tip-toe around this very carefully.... My friend, you don't have a bad set of BMW cables, you have a bad set of Benchmark cables. Send them back.
Then order real BMW cables from a real BMW dealer. I know first hand how tight BMW owners tend to be, but when it comes to critical-function, must fit, must function parts, there's really no reason to buy un-tried, un-tested 3rd party parts. And actually, real BMW cables seem to be one of the more fairly priced items in inventory. The last time I bought 2 throttle cables and a clutch cable from MaxBMW I was delightfully surprised how realistic the price was. I don't think I could have done any better at the shop I used to work at, even with my employee discount.
Just saying.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Really? Am I missing something? I was told they are BMW cables. They are stamped BMW with a part #. Is Benchmark Works not a reputable player? I am somewhat new (or should I say returning after ten years) to Airheads and they were recommended by local BMW guys. They are super helpful with hard to find technical advice.
The local dealer here sucks so I do little business there as they have to order EVERYTHING and it always takes two weeks. Also, their service people know nothing about airheads and can't even change a tire without screwing it up.
Dave -
I've never heard of Benchmark, but I'm not surprised because we live in different areas. When I did a Google search on "benchmark BMW" it returned about 20,000 possible answers. The most likely, I assumed after studying their web page, seemed to be a 3rd party supplier. But I don't definitely know that your "Benchmark" is the Benchmark that I located.
All I know is that there is REAL pressure on parts sellers as the number of motorcycle riders decreases. And it is seriously decreasing because Gen X is not taking up the hobby. That means fewer parts sales for everyone. That means cables made in China costing them $1.98 look very attractive when compared to the German cable costing them $14.39.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Sorry, the full name is Benchmark Works out of Sturgis, MS. It's Craig "Vech" Vechorik's shop along with other the other great guys, Richard and John.
I thought everybody knew of them. Vech is practically a legend in the BMW community. The cables cost me $15.00 each so they weren't cheapies. Richard says they get them from the same supplier as BMW. They are marked BMW and they look like BMW cables. He also said that he's never heard of my problem but I've heard that many times throughout my life. I guess I was hoping someone would measure their cables and see if this is actually a problem.
As for the decline in motorcycling, I am very sad about that. I couldn't even imagine not riding. When I was a little kid we all dreamed of any motorized conveyance and even a motorized lawnmower would do to pull us around on roller skates at three MPH. My father got my mother a Honda express (that she never rode). My brother and I fought to ride it and we rode it two thousand miles round and around the house because we were too young for a license. I got my first concussion on that fine green machine. I'm afraid we are becoming a nation of pansies afraid to do anything the least bit dangerous.
Vech and his people are a great source of information and parts for just about anything pre-'94
As far as your cables, they'll pop out if you haven't taken the slack out from the handlebar, through the splitter, to the carb.
Just about everyone knows to have 2-3mm free play for at the throttle and choke top of carb. What too many people overlook is the need to take the slack out at the splitter too. Not doing that will result in your issues.
I see it all the time.
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