Clutch cable test results

OK, I got the Motion Pro cable from Z1 fast and easy as always and compared to the stock Kawasaki KZ650 cable. Here are the results. Kawasaki first, Motion Pro 2nd.

Overall inner cable length 51.875 (52.5)
Outer cable length min 47.125 (47.75)
Outer cable length max 48.312 (48.625)
Adjustment range 1.187 (.875)
Spring on lower cable same length.
Spring turns 163 (115)
Inner cable diameter .082 (.080)
Lower cable diameter .265 (.255)
Wider part of cable diameter .360 (.345)
Ball at lever same diameter.
Ball at lever height .306 (.297)
Diameter of end of cable at clutch lever adjuster .306 (.297)
Torque to pull lever fully after install 70"/lb. Same on both cables.
The ends are more molded on the kawasaki cable vs the motion pro crimped which isn't a big deal.
Conclusion is the MP cable is relatively close to Kawasaki and fit pretty good. That little bit of difference in the cable diameter up at the lever adjuster is noticable. More wiggle in the MP. The MP is 3/4" longer but didn't cause problem. The only real problem is the adjustment range. At full minimum cable adustments, both cables are exactly the same at 4.75" longer inner cable that outer, however at maximum cable length adjustment the MP adjustment range is 0.3" less than Kawasaki so Kawasaki cable gives you more adjustment range by quite a bit. More spring turns on the Kawasaki Cable should give better heat protection, but MP seemed pretty good too.
So those are the findings. Take them as you like.

Ya,but...did that factory cable have the original paint on it?:laugh:

Just kidding Ron...good info.

Which one is made by elves and which one by dwarfs? I have always heard that elves use elvenmagic! (JK)!

An interesting study. Thanks for taking the time and effort to do it.

One question remains........what are you going to do with the PM test cable now? :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :woohoo:

Thanks Ron.
That's very helpful, and I appreciate the time and effort.

I will sell the MP for $10 and I'll pay the shipping in the lower 48 if anyone wants it. I paid $21 with shipping. It fits Cable - Clutch - KZ550A KZ650 KZ750 KZ900B (LTD) KZ1000 KZ1100
I still have a couple new Kawasaki cables that I still prefer, but the MP seems decent enough. PM or email me if anyone can use it.

well ron, i think you went above and beyond on this one and for one, Appreciate your efforts.
you just confirmed that z1 has quality parts if you are on a budget.
i would love to have all mother kaw parts on my bike but they are getting scarce and really expensive.

bury the hatchet?

kawsakiman wrote:

well ron, i think you went above and beyond on this one and for one, Appreciate your efforts.
you just confirmed that z1 has quality parts if you are on a budget.
i would love to have all mother kaw parts on my bike but they are getting scarce and really expensive.

bury the hatchet?

Sure thing, sorry I'm so moody. Moody runs in the family for a long time

Ron, thanks for the post.

The Motion Pro 03-0006 cable is the equivilent to the 54011-087 clutch cable for some of the KZ500, 650 and 750 models. This cable is no longer available and has been superceeded to the 54011-1026 cable - a similar, but slightly different Kawasaki cable.

Kawasaki cables are drying up for some models. It's already very tough to find some of the LATER Kawasaki cables - 750 Ninja throttle cables are extinct now - so are most the two-stroke triples cables.

Motion Pro are a decent company to work with. They actually care about the product they sell, and have very good customer service. That's not to say all of their cables are perfect, but it impresses me that after 20+ years in production, they still make changes to cables when problems are brought to their attention. The key comment here - if you do have a problem with one of their products, make them aware of it...

We sold a customer one of the new Motion Pro carb sync tools - this is the equiv to the old Mercury stix tool without the Mercury. The customer was using the tool on a big outboard motor that generated more vacuum than the tool could handle - when this was brought to MP's attention, they replaced the sync tool with custom version of the tool at no charge.

I thought I always used Kawasaki OEM cables, but just looked at the cable on my KZ650 I ride to work here and the cable say 03-0006 right on it. It's a Motion Pro cable! This has been on here for several years now and has worked just fine. So there's a long term test, no problems at all.

I just priced a clutch cable for my computer-challenged friend this weekend, for his 750 twin. Kawasaki cable over $50 at bike bandit!! Motion Pro cable, $13. I prefer genuine Kaw, but that is too much of a difference in price to justify.

Thanks for all of the info - very interesting!

RonKZ650 wrote:

I thought I always used Kawasaki OEM cables, but just looked at the cable on my KZ650 I ride to work here and the cable say 03-0006 right on it. It's a Motion Pro cable! This has been on here for several years now and has worked just fine. So there's a long term test, no problems at all.

It takes a good man to admit that Ron.

And thanks for the interesting comparison write up..