Tell me I'm wrong

Ok, so I replaced my clutch cable yesterday and apparently routed it poorly. So today I notice that there is a big tear in the sheath, apparently from rubbing against the cylinder lock.... I really really just want to put duct tape on the tear, but I know I should buy a new cable... someone tell me that I need to replace it so I can get it out of my head.

the tear goes all the way to the metal, not the actual inner cable, just the outer metal covering.

The tear may allow water to penetrate the cable (this is bad) but otherwise shouldn't hurt anything other than cosmetics. But if you don't re-route the cable correctly you may cause it to bind. Ed

As long as the tear isn't into the inner sheathing thus preventing smooth cable operations...i.e... the cable is wearing/catching on thew damaged area do the following...

1) Buy a new cable... Z1 has them for under $20...

2) Use E6000 (Black) or some other high temp black RTV over the cut. Once cured, RTV will stay pliable, prevent dirt/water from entering the inner cable and with the high temp protection, should be just fine if contacts the cylinder or engine cases.

Personally speaking, #1 for under $20... No brainer....
That's a big meal & a pack of smokes these days.... :ohmy:

OMR

EDIT: BTW, don;t throw this cable away if you chose option #1, tuck this under the tail section as a spare and carry with you....

I use electrical tape for small chaffing plus its black

Use heatshrink. Or, use black electrical tape and heatshrink over the tape.

I'm a rabid cheapskate, your cable's new, I also like fixing things other people throw away (I've made a lot of money buying beaten-down stocks with this attitude) and the heat shrink will cost maybe $2, get it at Home Depot or Lowes or Radio Shack, surely you have some black electrical tape.

Since buying a new cable requires removing this one, seems like you're already removing the current cable anyways.

Remove this one, put on the black electrical tape, slide the $2 worth of black heat-shrink tubing over the tear, use a hair dryer on high or a heat gun, DONE. The heat shrink + black tape will keep it clean and dry. And it will blend right in with the stock black sheathing on that cable.


Remove it, fix it, re-install and route it better.
$2, put the $18 into a beaten-down stock or a CD.
Or some steak and potaters, cook 'em on the grill.

Radio Shack or any other electical/electronic supply store sells 1/4" I.D. black spiral wrap tubing. It's slit to wrap around wires/cables and works well as a chafe guard in wear areas on bikes.

Spiral wrap comes in several sizes and can accept many times it's diameter when wrapping wires or cables.