Hey guys I need some help! I'm on my way back on a trip from ND to San Diego and I snapped a clutch cable in Salmon ID...anyone know anything I can do to rig it together? I have to make 1000 miles by Tuesday morning to get back to work in time. If not that are there any local buellers that might have a spare? I would really appreciate any advice...thanks!
-
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will see less advertisements, have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
I'm in trouble!
- Thread starter ndbueller
- Start date
Help Support Buellxb Forum:
Dellinger
Well-known member
Where did it brake? Does anyone even do overnight delivery on the 4th?
Chicknstripn
Well-known member
There are no HD dealers where you are at?
Those money hungry pigs are uaually open on Sunday's. If they can't get you a Buell cable see what they have that can work. There has to be something out there that has the same size threads at the primary that should work.
Think outside the box man! You got this. Come on man. Make Mcguyiver proud!
Try to adjust as much slack as you possibly can out of the cable. Then try to use a small bolt and washer combo to secure what little cable you have at the lever.
Think of the way a cable actuated brake works on a bicycle. A bike shop, hardware store or Walmart should sell the small bolt, for the bicycle brake, that you can use to secure your clutch cable.
I would not recommend riding it without the clutch. You're just asking for a bent shift fork. Repairing that will cost you more than just renting a cheap van or truck and driving you and your bike home.
Those money hungry pigs are uaually open on Sunday's. If they can't get you a Buell cable see what they have that can work. There has to be something out there that has the same size threads at the primary that should work.
Think outside the box man! You got this. Come on man. Make Mcguyiver proud!
Try to adjust as much slack as you possibly can out of the cable. Then try to use a small bolt and washer combo to secure what little cable you have at the lever.
Think of the way a cable actuated brake works on a bicycle. A bike shop, hardware store or Walmart should sell the small bolt, for the bicycle brake, that you can use to secure your clutch cable.
I would not recommend riding it without the clutch. You're just asking for a bent shift fork. Repairing that will cost you more than just renting a cheap van or truck and driving you and your bike home.
Last edited:
submax
Well-known member
Good advice, Chicknstripn! Like he said...you got this ndbueller! :up: Keep us posted! Just be extra careful out there once you Macgyver it!
user_deleted
Well-known member
86 and up evo sportster cable is very close. all H-D dealers stock wide selection of them. if the barrel end at the lever portion is larger than the hole in your XB lever you can simply file it down till it fits. try and get length as close as possible.....longer is better. shorter won't work.
ToneTheMoan
Well-known member
Go to a cycle shop or hardware shop buy some inner wire and 2 solderless nipples you can pull it through and clamp a nipple on each end, treat it gentle and it will work ok to get you home! :up: or safer maybe buy an inner wire with a nipple that fits the clutch end and clamp at the lever as you dont want anything to drop in the primary!!
Last edited:
ToneTheMoan
Well-known member
Or a dirtbike shop for one of these maybe? 
Chicknstripn
Well-known member
Way to go fellas!
I was wondering when the creative juices were gonna start flowing!
Shoot, this is the stuff bikers of old had to do. Back in the day when dealers weren't on every block!
We're so spoiled these days!!!!
I was wondering when the creative juices were gonna start flowing!
Shoot, this is the stuff bikers of old had to do. Back in the day when dealers weren't on every block!
We're so spoiled these days!!!!
ToneTheMoan
Well-known member
Another way to do it is to take the clutch lever off thread the broken cable end through lever perch and clamp some mole grips on the broken end you can then lever the grips against the perch (or pull if you have the strength) just enough to operate the clutch but this is far from ideal and you could break the perch but it worked for me once but that was on a jap bike (lighter clutch) the mole grips make darn good gear levers too clamp on the splines and away you go! 
Last edited:
Dellinger
Well-known member
One thing you can try is a bolt and nut small enough to fit in the hole of the lever. Loosen up the cable for slack and wrap the broken end around the bolt then use the nut to bite the cable. I'd use one more to lock the first. If you use a micro file from most hardware store to make 2 groves to better hold the wire against the bolt/screw head. If done right it may work like it never broke. You could use the lever normally, safely. Good Lucy.
Hey guy thanks for the help! I tried for the vice grips on the wire but it was just to hard of a clutch pull and not enough slack...but I got lucky and a buddy of mine wasn't far away with his pickup in Butte MT so I road around 200 miles with out a clutch. Just made sure that I parked facing down hill so I could give it a push start before popping it into first then shifted at about 2500 RPM's to keep it as smooth as possible. Once I got it into 5th there was no down shifting till it was time to stop so 60 mph was about as slow as i was getting...even through the 20mph mountain curves! I was puckered up so tight I think I might need to reupholster my seat! but hey no more chicken strips for this guy!
Chicknstripn
Well-known member
That's good stuff!
Definitely a story you'll retell many times before your time is up!
Glad you were able to get the bike and yourself home safely.
Definitely a story you'll retell many times before your time is up!
Glad you were able to get the bike and yourself home safely.
Yeah I'm pretty sad I didn't get to finish out the trip though...I still had 2 days of Yellowstone NP and the Beartooth Pass on the list. Oh well I guess I'll have to settle for the around 4500 miles I already got in...I dont' really know how many miles because my gages went out in sturgis and I didn't fix the fuse until I hit San Diego
ToneTheMoan
Well-known member
Welcome home! Glad you got back ok its a pity you didnt get to see everything you wanted to see but hey that means another trip to plan! mate you have unfinished business!! :eagerness:
