clutch cable too short for low bars

[Vince Lupo]

Let me ask you guys something, since you've been discussing the cable routing of the clutch cable with the low bars: What is the lever 'pull' like when it's routed that way? Seems to me that the cable makes quite a series of bends this way, and I'd think that it would increase the friction/resistance on that cable, or am I wrong about that? I mean, is it a 'two finger' clutch when the cable is routed this way? I chose not to route my clutch cable this way - partially due to my use of Magura levers, and partially because I thought the 'pull' was a bit stiff following this stock route.

[Wilf]

How have do you have yours routed, Vince?

Wilf

[e3steve]

Seems OK, Vince; certainly not a 2-finger pull though!

[e3steve]

I've got a new clutch cable (classic honda restorations) that looks great and is made for low bars but looks to me to be about 6" too short. I've tried every which way of routing it but it tightens right up when I try to turn the bars left. 29" sheath lenght, 34.5" overal. I've got the low (flat) bars from the same company, anyone else run into this problem? I've put a few clutch cables on in my life but this one is making a fool out of me! Help!

Yours, at 73.6cm, seems to be 4" (10cm) too short (29" jacket length); should be 83.5cm for flat-'bar, 105cm for intermediate 'bar.

Now, you lot, stop measuring in inches! These bikes were designed metric, built metric and still are metric. Centimetres = (inches ÷ 2.54); millimetres = (inches ÷ 25.4). ☺

[Vince Lupo]

Seems OK, Vince; certainly not a 2-finger pull though!

If you look at the more recent pages of my 'SuperHawk Meets Triton' thread, you will get an idea how the cable on my bike is routed, which is that it instead of it going underneath the tank, it goes straight out from the lever, and behind the throttle cable (where it exits the throttle), then there is a discreet cable guide near the right side carburator, then down to the clutch. It's a very gentle bend, and is a two-fingered clutch (could even be one-fingered if you really tried). It's not flapping out in the breeze like it might appear in photos, though admittedly it's more conspicuous than the stock routing method. I think there's much less stress on the cable this way, as it is basically one bend, and it was really all I could do with these Magura levers. As I haven't used the clutch with the cable routed the 'proper' way in a long time, I was just wondering what the lever action is like when it is routed the stock way.

[Gunner_CAF]

Let me ask you guys something, since you've been discussing the cable routing of the clutch cable with the low bars: What is the lever 'pull' like when it's routed that way? Seems to me that the cable makes quite a series of bends this way, and I'd think that it would increase the friction/resistance on that cable, or am I wrong about that? I mean, is it a 'two finger' clutch when the cable is routed this way? I chose not to route my clutch cable this way - partially due to my use of Magura levers, and partially because I thought the 'pull' was a bit stiff following this stock route.

I had to go out to the garage and check, a two finger ring/pinky pull is no problem. My clutch seemed a bit hard pulling at first, but got better as I rode it.

Gunner

[maia]

Thanks Steve, I agree it's too short. I'm making my own cable from bulk casing and will use the fittings from the "short" one.