Re: "when using flex cable, some people run hard solder into the last inch or so of cable that's unsupported by outer tube at both ends." < I have done instead of extending the support much further than the firewall and it works well. Reason being, the linkage cable has to run just below the muffler to connect to the carb on 2 stroke engines and if you extend the support for the cable it could interfere with the muffler. [8D]