Dropped front end 2 1/2" now shorter cables?

Hello, this is my first post.

Last year I picked up a 1980 kz650. My goal was to make a cafe racer. I'm about 75% there, and the problem I am running into is that as I have lowered the front end about 2-2 1/2", my clutch cable and throttle cables are too long. I am not having much luck finding any that are already shortened and I am not excited about the thought of trying to cut and solder them. Any help? THANK YOU!!!

I would get ahold of Jim at Redline. Had the the same problem with my KZ900.

Jasonhasakz wrote: I have lowered the front end about 2-2 1/2", my clutch cable and throttle cables are too long

Did you shorten the forks or install lower handlebars? "Lowering" the forks shouldn't need shorter cables. If you installed handlebars with less rise then you can get shorter cables OR sometimes you can do some creative re-routing and still have the stock cable work just fine.

BTW....Welcome in!

Later, Doug

try Barnett cables

www.barnettclutches.com/cables.html

Jasonhasakz wrote: Hello, this is my first post.

Last year I picked up a 1980 kz650. My goal was to make a cafe racer. I'm about 75% there, and the problem I am running into is that as I have lowered the front end about 2-2 1/2", my clutch cable and throttle cables are too long. I am not having much luck finding any that are already shortened and I am not excited about the thought of trying to cut and solder them. Any help? THANK YOU!!!

Hello, Jasonhasakz, and WELCOME to KZr!

Would contact Z1 Enterprises about the needed cables.
Click here > www.z1enterprises.com/

Good Fortune!

Z1Ent might be able to make a suggestion, but you probably ought to figure it out for yourself.
Disconnect the clutch cable at the lever & figure out the overage. Zip tie or otherwise firmly hold the cable in place while turning the bars to make sure the length is good. Then remove the cable, measure it, & subtract the overage, and check Z1E to see if they have anything close.

You can do the same w the throttle cables, but I guess disconnect them at the carburetors. Try to get cables w the same amount of "slack". I got some alternate throttle cables for my 81 650, but the "opening" cable didn't have enough slack.

If need be, MotionPro can make special order cables.

I lowered the front end, and I am using clip-ons. I measured (eye-balled) the excessive length to be around 5-6". It looks like I am going to have to order some custom cables. I couldn't find anything on z1. I will try some of the other suggestions. I kinda just figured that there would be someone who had them in stock as this is a pretty common mod for cafe's. Thanks for your help though!

Jason, try using KZ1000D (Z1R) factory cables. I wouild think they shd fit your smaller Mikuni carbs... but I'm not 100% sure. Call Z1E and they shd know. The length of them shd work, I run them on my bike since I changed handlebars and am using superbike type bars,

Doug

You can reroute them and hide 2 1/2 inches