Clutch cables...

How long do clutch cables last in your bike....

Mine broke today, and the last one broke exactly a year ago today... surely they should last a little longer than that... I mean, all the other cables are the orignal 1976 cables... I checked the adjusting screw/cable guide on the clutch lever perch, and it doesn't look sharp, or have a barb on it.... but that's where they both broke at.... hmm, something aint jiving...

Make sure that your using the proper length cable that fits right with no sharp bends, lube clutch mechanism under cover, keep cable lubed and I even put a little dab of grease where the little lead thing is in the clutch lever. I've put on one replacement clutch cable (Motion Pro) on my 650 in 29 years and 55,000mi.

I'm thinking it might just be a bad cable.... because it broke where the lead cylinder is... exactly at the lead cylinder..

Barber, Cable ends are usually sil-soldered to cables.This makes them prone to stress fractures at junction if bent upon installation or unable to pivot freely, and are usually the weakest portion of cable. also, 4 cyl zed cl. cables are typically routed near exhaust and frequently melt housing if not secured. as many can attest, a new properly routed cable results in an ease of lever nearly as light as most hydrolic's. a dab of grease at lever and removing lever for install (as opposed to say the pryse/pop in method) has worked well for me. I'll no say anything bad about motion pros' goods, I use 'em, but still..I keep a spare cl cable coiled inside my h/l bucket, and in a pinch, throttle "B" cable can be re-located at carb (abbet requireng backwards manipulation at grip, to get home. luck g

How long they last depends on how often you use the clutch obviously. On my KZ1000 with 80,000 miles it's still the original cable, but 99% highway, so not much clutch. The 1978 KZ650 with 168,000 miles, 90% city has probably had 10 or 12 clutch cables over the years. They will always break right at the lever no matter what you do.

Some wheel bearing grease on the splines where the cable is attached at the clutch release helps too. It's a pain removing the left foot peg and clutch/front sprocket cover but you would have to anyway if replacing the cable.

I put the new clutch cable in it yesterday, and after looking at it, I believe it was because the lead ball was frozen up in the lever.... so I sanded the new lead ball with 220 grit sandpaper, and greased the hole in the lever.... so It should last a while..... but I will be putting an extra cable under the seat...

i would check and lubricate if needed, the clutch throwout mechanism under the left side cover.