clutch cable replacement

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "jacodebr7545" wrote:

> > I broke my (second) clutch cable, luckily in the stable, and not > somewhere out there. I went to my local shop, and they called the > Kawa dealer on the phone, and a new clutch cable would cost abt. $45,- > I waited six days, and no clutch cable came, they called again, the > dealer has no clutch cables in stock. By now I had discovered that > it is not necessary to buy a complete clutch cable from Kawa, one can > replace the steel cable only, generic steel cable, cost ONE DOLLAR, > and shove it inside the old cable sleeve. > Some of the rubber of the old cable unit had deteriorated due to the > proximity of the exhaust pipe, so I improvised with heat resistant > red silicone, and aluminum wrap from my wife s kitchen. I made sure > that the whole is lubricated, greased and oiled in excess. On the > engine end I will have to put a special screw-on stop. They sell > that too, less than a dollar I would say. Is this procedure normal, > well known, or is it third-world cheap-skating? It seems to me that > the stock steel cable is rather thin for this kind of bike, they had > a much thicker cable at the store, but it would not go into the old > sleeve. > Is the clutch cable from Fred same as stock, or is it sturdier and > better quality? > Is it normal that the 1" lowering links may cause the swingarm and > the muffler to touch? I feel that I have spent enough on this bike, > and do not want to invest in new springs or shocks. > I like the lower seat height, I brought it down from stock 89 cm to > 84 cm, and it has advantages off road in stability and more effective > feet contact. But it seems that the spring is a bit weak for this > farkle. It is as the world famous soccer player Johan Cruyff so > wisely put it: Everything that has its fore, has its against. > I thought I should share this, even if only for entertainment and > chuckles. I am listening for your wisdom. Jake. >

Bike shops used to carry an assortment of both solder-on and set-screw cable ends, to allow you to make field repairs, or make up custom cables. You don't see that so often these days. I think Fred sells Motion Pro cables, which are reputed to be a little better than stock, although I haven't laid them side-by-side to figure out why. Your lowering links will increase the leverage that the swing arm exerts in compressing the spring. Not only does the tire sit closer to the fender, but the spring also compresses more easily. You can compensate by adjusting the shock for more preload, or depending on your weight, installing a stiffer spring.