Clutch Cable Install

Buellxb Forum

Help Support Buellxb Forum:

B

bitter rod

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2008
Messages
358
I will be installing a clutch cable on my XB12R in the next week or two...anyone give me an easy way to get that bugger hooked up.
 
If it is the same as a tuber, it was easy.
Pull the inspection cover, thread the cable into the primary housing, hook the cable lever and the clutch fork, and adjust the clutch release. replace the primary oil since I had it open anyway.
Later
 
the biggest thing to remember when replacing the clutch cable is to keep it completely straight when removing or installing into the primary cover. those threads can strip very easily if you try to crank on it while the cable is still bent. thread the cable as if it was a solid rod.

if you disconnect the cable from the lever and keep track of how its routed as you remove it, its a pretty simple job.
 
ONE HUGE PIECE OF ADVICE.... make sure that the end of the cable that threads into the primary case is flawless. i just did mine about a month ago, and while threading it into the case the threaded section broke off inside leavine the nut hanging. Fortunately the parts manager at the local HD is a tuber guy and was sympathetic enough to order me a new one at no charge but beware. I was threading it by hand and it was just deep enough that i had to take my primary cover off and thread it through from the inside with some pliers. Good luck and soft hands.
 
I changed mine last weekend and what I did that worked well was to first start threading by hand and then keep the cable straight out and turn the cable and the nut at the same time until tight. THEN route the cable up to the lever.
 
1+ 03Firebolt9R - It really is a simple job. After you hook it all up and adjust your cable adjustment nuts, sqeeze your lever a number if times and check your gap at the lever (1/8") when you pull on the cable and it separates between the coupling and the lever. Give it a good pull. It will need to be adjusted a few times possibly. Mine needed adjusting like 4 or 5 times.
Also, careful taking the cable off the clutch ramp. A piece that holds the clutch cable to the ramp can fall off and into your tranny. That VERY bad, happened to me but managed to get it with a magnet on a cable and fish it out. Scared me pretty good though.
Good luck, and remember it really isnt that hard to do, so dont let it scare you.
 
Monster,
I had that same thing happen to mine, the Nut part cracked at the threads, and was leaking so I tried to tighten it didn't realize that it was cracked, and it snapped off. About 6 months after that My release bearing desintergrated while I was riding, got her down to safe speeds, and hit the kill switch. Pushed it into a parking spot.
Had the Primary off again. One thing to watch for is the Pri Cover bolts are three different lengths, make a template to hold them marking their locations, it will save you a headache when it goes back together, Don't ask How I know.:eek:
 
ophawk,
never knew that the primary bolts were different lengths....making me a little nervous about that. Guess maybe i shoud go ahead and research that some more.
 
Okay..the problem I am having is getting the damn coupling on the hook with the clutch cable attached...what is the trick here?? I keep dropping the coupling into the clutch case and I don't want to damage anything by bending it all up.. HELP!!
 
Lefox!!! BPG!!! DaveXB12R!!!!! Thaloc!!!!! FIDOSOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can any of you guys offer some help for my above post????
 
bitter rod - do you have the manual? If not you could stop by and borrow mine for a few days. Or I could make copies of it for you. I have a cable on order right now should be in this week, mine is leaking. I haven't changed one before, so I can't really help yet.

email me if you need to borrow the manual, tools, a heated garage or a second set of eyes/hands to work on it. I'm on lay-off this week so I could be available days.

[email protected]
 
Thanks EVLXB...I do have the manual, but it doesn't really explain what you need to do. Having said that, I got it on finally. And then, as I was tightening down the bolt into the case, the threads snapped. WTF! The threads on there are so weak. So, whatever you do, make sure you are careful with the threads. Hopefully Greatlakes HD will refund and order me a new one...or I am out $40![mad]:eek:
 
knowing Greatlakes HD, your probably out your $40. I havn't had too great of luck with them in the past.
 
knowing Greatlakes HD, your probably out your $40. I havn't had too great of luck with them in the past.
Click to expand...

Me either...I am gonna go talk with Tyler in the service side. He is about the only one I can tolerate.
 
Went to Greatlakes HD yesterday, and they actually took care of me. I was surprised to say the least. Tyler and John helped me out and are going to warranty the cable. So, in another week, I will be trying this again.
 
That is all good to here, since this seems to be a fairly common DIY type thing, could you maybe get somebody to take pics of the important steps while you're doing it next week? If you can't that's cool, but if you can that would be a wonderful addition to the DIY threads and the website as a whole, sorry I haven't done it before or I would have popped in and threw a few lines of wisdom your way.

WISDOM

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.

Take your time man, it makes all the difference in the world. If you get frustrated keep something nearby that you can hit, or throw or something. My buddy Mikey keeps a punching bag in his garage for occasions like that. He moved it into his garage because he never really used it in his house, he sort of started using it as a stress reliever by accident.
 
sorry...i missed this thread, bitter :eek:

what coupling in what hook are your talking about?
the thread of the cable snapped or @ the adjustment?
 
LeFox....I actually got it figured out the other day, right before I snapped the threads. The coupling attaches to the hook just inside the clutch cover. I didn't realize, at first, that you can loosen that adjustment screw and loosen the entire ramp assembly. Once I did that, I was able to get the coupling on correctly...but like I said, then I snapped the threads! Even though someone earlier said to be careful of doing that...oh well, no harm, no foul.

Thanks!
 

Similar threads

T
Clutch hub
Replies
8
Views
14K
34nineteen
34nineteen
Gus504
06 XB12R clutch basket assembly questions???
Replies
1
Views
164
Cooter
Cooter
F
05 xb9sx checklist
Replies
4
Views
144
Barrett
Barrett
F
05 xb9sx checklist
Replies
0
Views
79
Fielding05xb9sx
F
Gus504
06 buell xb12r, no start currently
Replies
8
Views
710
Cooter
Cooter

Latest posts

Back
Top