clutch cable lifespan

[Jim Hyman]

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, "Karl Raupp" wrote:

> Tonight I was lubing my clutch cable and I noticed near the

nipple end at the lever, it was starting to fray. [snip] But how long 'should' one last? My KLR is a 99 with about 11,500 kms on it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Karl, Tips to prolong cable life: Lube the "barrel" end before connecting it to the clutch lever with, wheel bearing grease or 'never-seize'. The primary cause of the cable fraying near the barrel is that the barrel can't pivot freely and the result is similar to bending metal back & forth until it breaks. White grease or WD-40 is too light weight for the job. Periodically clean & relube the cable-end if your left handlebar visits with mother earth. Never have the adjuster slot for the clutch cable pointed up or forward, this invites dirt & water to collect in the cable end. I always position the slot downward & to the rear. In 30+ years of riding, I have never had a fraying clutch cable. However, I replaced numerous customer's clutch cables due to neglect. I route my spare cable parallel to the working cable, & seal both ends of the spare to keep out dirt & water. If I ever need to replace the cable, it is already pre-routed. Professor '95 KLR650 A9 Federal Way, Wa [USA]