Help with choke cables - 1980 GS550L

[OneStaple]

Hey,

I have a 1980 GS550L and my choke cable froze recently (probably from being left in the rain one too many times).

So I got a choke cable off ebay that was supposed to fit, but it doesn't. It's from Parts Unlimited (part number K28-2148) which is supposed to replace OEM part number 58400-45110. From looking at online microfiche, that's the correct OEM part number.

So I'm trying to figure out if there's something wrong on my end (like maybe I have some 1979 parts on my bike or something because they were using up old stock as they switched to the 1980 model) or theirs (wrong part, somehow).

I've included a picture of the old and new choke cables. They're the same length. The major issue is at point (A). The plastic threads there, which must screw into the steering column, don't match the old ones. The sides of the threaded part on the new cable are also flattened off, but that probably doesn't cause much of a problem. The other decent issue is at point (B), where there's an extra plastic collar (which kind of implies that the new choke cable is supposed to be installed from the opposite direction as the old one). However, if the threads matched, I could just grind that off.

So, any thoughts? Does anyone recognize either cable and know if they're supposed to go to a different year? Any info would be helpful!

Thanks,
Tyler

[psyguy]

send that nice picture of what you need to your suplier and ask them to find you a match - that might be the easiest way
you can also check parts fiche for different models/years but they're not always that clear or accurate

btw, my 80 850 uses the cable as on the right on your picture

[catbed]

smooth out the threads on the steering column and take the bottom most nut off the choke cable. insert the cable in the steering column and then put the nut on and tighten it. just a suggestion though, last resort.

[DMPLATT]

Not really sure how the choke cable mounts. But looking at the new cable, looks like the O.D. of the thread on the NEW one is much smaller. Almost like it should mount from Underneath something and the Nut would secure it into place.

Just tossing around ideas.

On the other hand, when I first got my GS, I didn't realize that the letters in the model were different. I mean, I had an '83 GS750ED and NOT an '83 GS750ES. However, on some websites - they didn't differentiate.

[OneStaple]

catbed - I had thought of something like that, but I really don't want to have to alter either the choke cable or the steering column if necessary (and especially the steering column).

DMPLATT - I thought about that, especially with the solid plastic piece at the base of the threads. However, you can't remove either of the plastic nuts over the choke knob, so it'd be impossible to slide it from underneath and then clamp it down.

The only way that I can think the new one should be mounted is from the top down. If you notice in the picture, the plastic piece (which is solid and doesn't move) at the base of the threads has a little square section (facing you in the picture). That would have to slide down into a groove and then twist sideways to lock it (keeping it from coming back up) and then the bigger plastic nut tightened to lock it in place. But my bike isn't set up that way.

Edit - Either that, or with the flattened sides of the threaded section, perhaps it could be inserted sideways and locked in in a similar fashion as described above.

--Tyler

[chef1366]

It appears they sent you the wrong part.

[DMPLATT]

It appears they sent you the wrong part.

I Concur with this reply.

[psyguy]

It appears they sent you the wrong part.

can't agree more