@ hawk, good write up.
@Vision,
If you really feel the cable sticking in a way, don't remove the cables lining. Take the throttle assambly off your handlebar, free the cable from assambly and lubricate your cable until oil, WD 40 or whatever you spray, exits down at your carb or inj.unit. Still no smooth gliding of your cable?
Ok, then change the cable inclusive cover by connecting the "old" cable/cover and pull the "new" cable/cover towards carb. So you need not to fiddle under plastics and other hindrances. Slow pulling and good connection between old and new is the way to success.
Yes, LOCTITE.