Throttle Cable Routing

[XS400_Tampa]

I know this is probably a reach, but does anyone know how the throttle cable should be routed on a 1980 XS400? I know, I just have a little putter compared to the XS11, but this is driving me nuts. I bought this bike from a junk yard (my first street bike) and have it up and running and looking pretty decent after about 3 months of weekends devoted to it. This is one of my last problems. The guy who owned it before me didn't route the cable the right way and when you turn the handle bars left or right the idle increases pretty dramatically. I have tried several different routings and cannot seem to get it right.
Any suggestions?

Thank You!
--John

[Do Lee]

First thing is the throttle cable the correct one for this bike. Try not to cross clutch cable and throttle cable. Does this model xs400 have front disc brake or drum. If drum try not to loop this cable in between the throttle cable as well. Sitting on the bike with the gas tank removed.
If my memory serves me correctly the throttle cable should be run between the top of the right headlamp arm and under the instrument cluster throu the right side of the triple clamp down along the right side of the frame under the gas tank to the carbs.
after the cable has been re-routed put bike on center stand turn front wheel from left to right checking cable for movement that will cause the carbs linkage to rise re-adjust if necessary. Replace gas tank start bike turn front wheel left to right again to see if rpms will increase when front wheel has been turned. Hope this will help lead you in the right direction.
Do'Lee

[Ken Talbot]

I'm not familiar with the XS400, but I've seen a similar problem on one or two XS11s. Those were cases where somebody had used the cable length adjusters to try to set the idle speed, rather than using the idle adjust screw on the carb linkage. The idle speed shold be set with the adjusting screw. Then the cable adjuster(s) should be adjusted to give enough slack so turning the handlebars does not pull the cable enough to affect the engine speed.
JAT.....

[XS400_Tampa]

Fixed

Thanks for all of your advice. I made sure it was the correct cable, then routed it as stated in the replies. I did find that the adjuster at the throttle Grip was turned out a bit. I turned it all the way in and adjusted the idle at the carbs, and Viola! Fixed. Now it idles the same no matter where the handlebars are turned.
Thanks again, now I only have 99 more problems to worry about!

--John