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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through March 24, 2005 » I think Erik needs to redesign the xb clutch/cable « Previous Next »

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Archive through March 14, 2005Wyckedflesh30 1 03-14-05  04:50 pm
         

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Cataract2
Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 05:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Um. 5K miles. I think I need to oil the cable.....
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2k4xb12
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 12:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
$475 is out of my price range for the Hydraulic Clutch.

That's Euros, not Dollars! Try around $635.00!
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Dj_rider
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 01:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
for 635 i could have one helluve nite in vegas; )
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Tpoppa
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 02:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
With this many people having clutch cable problems, perhaps Buell should consider a recall or a voluntary upgrade (like the wheel bearings).

I ride in some very remote areas and don't want to get stranded or abuse my tranny with clutchless shifts.
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Opto
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 02:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Reminds me 20 odd years ago when I broke a throttle cable right on dusk, and then rode another 60 miles or so to the nearest large town using some 4" visegrips clamped to the broken cable, and getting pulled up by the local constabulary for having a blown tailight at said large town. He didn't notice the visegrips.}
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 07:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
'As opposed to sitting by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere? Even if its a temporary fix to get you home where you can double-check your work its worth the money.'

Best you look into doing it before you pack that cable in the hump of your bike, there aren't the right tools to do the job in the OEM tool kit. And as for the cable not taking up much room, how about you remove your from your bike and try fitting it in the Buell storage area, if you do get it to fit, it will be worth 5h1t all by the time you need it.

And be very careful not to drop the adaptor off the tranny end of the cable, you will have a great time getting it back out on the side of the road.

You might wanna pack some tranny fluid, too. Since you'll be on the side of the road, not using a workshop stand, you'll loose a bit of fluid...

Then, of course there are all the other spares we have discussed carrying, but parts just don't last in the hump of a bike, especially one that vibrates like the Buells.

What I'm getting at is that we just don't have the room to cater for al the possibilities.
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Best you look into doing it ....
Tbs hasn't a Buell.
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Good taste in bikes anyway...
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Jerseyguy
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
I noticed that plastic bushing in the lever that is on the swaged end when I lubed it the first time. In my dirt bike experience those type of bushings get ground up & fail so I ended up making a replacement out of oilite bronze. Also, thin lubricants like WD40 don't hang around too long once applied, so I think white grease or oil might be better at that connection.
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M1combat
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
What about a teflon spray lubricant?

"With this many people having clutch cable problems, perhaps Buell should consider a recall or a voluntary upgrade (like the wheel bearings). "

I think this just means that there are a lot of people who should learn to lube cables myself...

For the record... 11750 miles and I have NOT lubed my clutch cable. I'll do it when I get home tonight, and check it for fraying : ).
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Tbs_stunta
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 11:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
>>Best you look into doing it ....

Both my bikes have hydraulic clutches and came with SS clutch lines as well. Never had an issue with feel and more importantly I don't have to worry about snapping a cable. The Triumphs that do have clutch cables don't seem to have problems with them snapping.

If carrying a spare isn't an option then just be vigilant about inspecting it.
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Spatten1
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 12:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
When changing my handlebars I noticed a kink in the cable near the end, and wondered how I caused it, as I was careful. Now I know. Thanks for sharing.
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Ingemar
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 12:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
quote:

With this many people having clutch cable problems...



Uhm, how many people are we talking about? Out of how many bikes sold?

With all respect but a recall for the clutch cable would be authentic nonsense.
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 01:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
I agree.
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Flick
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 02:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
...BRAG roadside assistance?????????
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Tbs_stunta
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 02:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
How are you going to call them if you have no cell-phone signal?
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Flick
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Tbs...hitch a ride to the nearest pay phone?
I know I can't carry all the tools I would need to do a self-service roadside assistance!
Well, perhaps I could, but think of the weight!
Then again-roadside assistance...think of the wait!
Anyways, almost nothing goes wrong with the torquey critters, so I'm not sweating it!
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Starter
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
The swaged end of mine came greased from the dealer. I saw it and have continued to grease it since.
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Joele
Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 11:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
How much do the replacement cables run?
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Wyckedflesh
Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 12:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Replacement cables run about $25 depending on if you want the firebolt or lightning cable. As I mentioned to Glitch when his broke O so long ago, there is a "roadside Repair" swage/ferrul that is ment for temporary repairs. carry a wrench to loosen and adjust your clutch with, and if the cable broke at the swage this ferrul will replace it long enough to get you home. I have seen it listed mostly in OLD School H-D/Classic Bike mags and LOTS of VW magazines. Mostly its a round tube with a hole for the cable that goes all the way through and a set screw that compresses the cable end tightly. Put just enough tension on the clutch cable to get the clutch to work and it will hold pretty damn good. IF the broken cable comes loose, just tighten it all back up again. If however your cable breaks further down, then you could look into having a custom cable made that feeds in to the exhisting housing. Use the ferrul mentioned above on one end once its fed through the housing, and have a match to the clutch side on the other. That will coil up small enough to fit without kinking it rather easily. I haven't carried this kind of setup since my last old skool Honda CB360 but have been thinking about putting one together for this bike, Especially since the last 4000 miles have been with a 20% heavier clutch.
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Xbolt12
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 12:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
I stopped by American Sport Bike today and Al is looking into putting together a better, more reasonably priced hydraulic clutch. I might be the first customer. He also is ordering some OEM cables so he will have them in stock for us : )

xbolt12
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Opto
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 03:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Also, thin lubricants like WD40 don't hang around too long once applied, so I think white grease or oil might be better at that connection.

You may be right there Jersey, but WD40 is also a very good cleaner, and when I keep it in a handy location like on top of the fridge, if the clutch cable squeaks (at the lever), I spray it. Economical, quick and effective. Not neccessarily the best solution though...
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Opto
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 04:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
This is a good tool for lubricating a cable using a spray can of your choice

lub
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Cataract2
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 09:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Xbolt, if that's true I want to see it and know the price when it comes out.
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Spyder12s
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 09:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
just got one of them ..looks like it should work well ..
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Xbolt12
Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 12:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
Cataract2,

Contact Al and let him know your interest. He had a pretty nice Magura setup on the bench but it was above $500. Maybe if we get enough interest it will happen.

Personally while I think lubing may help, I think the cable is simply over-stressed and will break with time. Although at around $24 bucks it would be no big deal to change one pro-actively.

xbolt12
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Buellman39
Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 08:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)
At $24.00 I'll keep an eye on it and change it when needed. When I'm done riding my buell and ride my ducati, There is just something nice about that positive fell from a mechanical clutch over a hydraulic one.
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