Another Clutch Cable Failure

[Fibersnake]

Well it was my time today. While riding back from work, I had the clutch cable break right as I was getting off the Interestate to fill up. What a bitch and was still 35 miles from the house.

Manage to get it home using the old roll and shift methods, but still not too fun while trying to roll in Interstate traffic. Worse when having to make stops and slow down on the last country roads to the house.

Well will replace and check everything over, but just a little frustrated since it went. To make matters worse, I have been keeping it greased and adjusted and have had no issues with drive line. Oh well another hundred dollars to get back on the road to enjoy the miles and smiles.

Some days I is best to jsut sit home!!!!

 

[Mickeetwo]

Sorry to hear Fiber, glad you was able to limp home. How many miles did you have on the cable. I've got 7500 miles on mine and starting to get nervous. Thought about just replacing it.

 

[Fibersnake]

Mickee,

I had about 17,500 on it when it broke. Have not taken it apart yet to see where it broke at, but was a little pissed, though to be honest I shouldn't be, but still happen at the worse time.

That I have been keeping it maintain and lube. Sometimes I just wonder if it would be best to just say F it and forget all the maintenance and ride the crap out of. Seems everytime I do a little maintenance another small items goes out.

Oh well, already call the local shop and they are going to get back to me and let me know the price and availability. Hopefully will have it in stock and I can get it fixed Friday after work in time for some possible riding this weekend.

I know if I take a cross country trip, a spare will be on my parts list to carry with me!!!

 

[Mickeetwo]

17,500 :2thumbs: ..... I still have a little breathing room then . A spare is not a bad idea though.

 

[TCALZ06]

Mine just went at 7100 miles.
Dealer charged Big Dog $134 to fix it. I plan on having one with me from now on for out of town trips

 

[Fibersnake]

Mine just went at 7100 miles.
Dealer charged Big Dog $134 to fix it. I plan on having one with me from now on for out of town trips

That seems fair price. The cost of a new one is about $60.00 and with labor thrown in, seems fair. Will do the change out myself.

Did yours break while out riding and if so, did you ride it on home or have it picked up???

 

[LUPHOLE]

sorry to hear that fiber. i am thinking i should pick up a clutch cable and keep it in the garage for just this kind of thing. i have a "dog rescue box" with straps and some items to get the little ho onto a trailer when she does me wrong.
where have the cables been breaking?
i know you take good care of your bike, but is there anything we should be doing to avoid getting caught out on a clutch cable failure?

 

[TCALZ06]

That seems fair price. The cost of a new one is about $60.00 and with labor thrown in, seems fair. Will do the change out myself.

Did yours break while out riding and if so, did you ride it on home or have it picked up???

Mine broke while riding. I had the dealer come pick it up I didn't want to ride it home I was 1hr away.
The dealer picked it up and fixed it that same afternoon.

I'll have to call and see what they charge for the cable. The dealer only charged 1.5 hrs labor but it was there 3 hrs and that doesn't add up to $134 with their labor rate

 

[Chopper Dave]

Fiber...glad you made it home safe.......sorry to hear about that.....hope your back on the road soon....

 

[P8RIOT]

Bummer, Fiber - makes the rest of us a bit paranoid. KnotSo just broke his a coupla weeks ago, too.

I do wonder if they are all breaking in the same place, indicating some kind of design issue.

I'll be curious to hear what you find.

 

[Fibersnake]

It appears that mine broke at the cam end rigth where the lead ball is. Not positive yet, but the cable length seems to be long enough and the break appears to look more like the end ball came off.

Will pass more info once I get it apart!

 

[Thumper]

It appears that mine broke at the cam end rigth where the lead ball is. Not positive yet, but the cable length seems to be long enough and the break appears to look more like the end ball came off.

Will pass more info once I get it apart!

Hmmm, I believe the others were breaking at the lever end?

 

[P8RIOT]

BTW, I thought there would be a lot of commonality with the clutch cables, but our most excellent warranty chick told me they are all different, because each one has both ends stamped on. She said they have trouble keeping all of them in stock. That's when I considered having one in my tool box.

 

[lee]

sounds like a must have spare part to me

 

[P8RIOT]

Probably especially way over there, Lee. :up:

 

[lee]

Probably especially way over there, Lee. :up:

exactly what I was thinking

speak to me Nelson speak to me

 

[chacha]

Fibersnake -- sorry for your "snap"

I got a cable from Full House last week -- Had Manda mail it to me. It's going on this weekend. I think mine has streached to the point I'll replace it before there is a problem after 17,000 miles on it. The ends look fine, but I'm not much for pushing a part!

Glad to hear you made it home OK!

 

[Fibersnake]

Chacha,

Full House has got me one on order. Due to that they are different between models (due to length), it may take a few days to get it in.

I had check and greased mine just a little while ago, maybe 1000 miles at most and from observation, everything looked good. Have not taken it apart all the way yet, but I was able to pull the cable out of the outer housing and it is good on the lever end and seems to be complete except for the ball at the cltuch end.

Hopefully there is no other problems and just change out, but I will find out here in a day or so and tear it all apart and check clutch side, tranny, etc.

Did not like having to shift by trying to match RPM, but it seemed to handle it alright and nothing sound bad. Would not recommend for normal but since no trailer nor near the house, had to go old fashion, something I haven't done since I had one go out on a Duece years ago.

May remove the Tranny Top Cover and give a good look over the gear set, just to make sure nothing is out of whack also.

Do know one thing, once I get it back up, will order a spare cable.

 

[Gas Man]

Fiber that is EXACTLY why about a month ago I ordered a new one. Got it in the garage... if these were HD it wouldn't be a big deal everybody would have one on the shelf... but being custom I got one in the garage.

 

[BubbleHead]

Tim I contacted Barnett about my cable and they said to ship it to them and they would repair it or replace it for free. My adjuster broke and they felt that was a defective failure the same as I did. That was good of them.