How often are you changing your clutch cable and what brand

Mgiossi

Mgiossi

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Joined
Aug 2026
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Hey everyone. So I'm reading issues where people are having the end at least of their clutch cable breaking off. I looked at mine inside the transmission and it's old and rusty and looks about ready to go. So of course I'm going to get a new one asap. How often are you guys having to change a cable? Also looking for suggestions on a solid replacement. Obviously after experiencing how stiff that clutch is I would hate to have my butt in that seat the day I'm easing the clutch out and have it go pop lol. Thanks again for all the support. You guys are all amazing.
 
When I brought my 850 Norton new I was breaking clutch cables regularly they break up at the handle bars end, gear box end never had a break there, but after a few years of coming home with a broken cable I started to put a dab of grease on the cable end and through the cable adjusters as that is what causes the cable to wear and break, haven't broken a cable since, last broken cable was back in 1979.
Replace the cable with a liner inside the cable for smooth trouble free run and also have the cable run under your tank without any tight bends, my Norton has always had a light clutch from new, I am still running with the stock plates but the clutch centre has been replace about 15 years ago from worn notches and a worn pressure plate that lost it's springy, could pull it out without a clutch tool, just lost its pressure on the plates.
I have no problems pulling my clutch with one finger if I wanted too, has always been like that.

Ashley
 
Clutch cables commonly fail due to fatigue at the lever ball, mostly avoided by lubing the ball. I see no reason why the cable won't last as long as the clutch, at least as long as the bike is stored inside to avoid corrosion.
 
A dab of grease will save you grief, just clean, inspect and a dab of clean grease on the lever fittings when you do an oil change, all part of maintenance and your cable will never break again.
 
How often are you changing your clutch cable and what brand

How often are you changing your clutch cable and what brand
 
Grease both ends on an ongoing basis .
Venhill I use , thick cable , teflon linered is good .
Cable lube injector yes .
That said, I pack an extra thick cable , lubed up in a plastic zip lock bag , and a spare cable adjuster too . If your cable snaps at the lever end and the adjuster falls out on the road ... good luck finding it in traffic .
This winter I will wimp out and install my CNW hydraulic kit . This needs a metric thread mirror stem , still looking for one that can match up with the Norton R.H. original one .
Enjoy .
 
concours said:
View attachment 130777
View attachment 130776
Click to expand...
Do those Venhill cables have properly birdsnested wire so they don't pull through?

In the past 20 years I had a brake cable nipple pull through and at least two throttle/ choke cable nipples pull through.

I know the throttle cables were Venhill. Not sure about the brake cable.

Bottom line I don't trust any of them now and make my own using Venhill components but my own bird nesting and soldering.

Clutches are a nuisance. Brakes life and death.
 
johnm said:
Do those Venhill cables have properly birdsnested wire so they don't pull through?

In the past 20 years I had a brake cable nipple pull through and at least two throttle/ choke cable nipples pull through.

I know the throttle cables were Venhill. Not sure about the brake cable.

Bottom line I don't trust any of them now and make my own using Venhill components but my own bird nesting and soldering.

Clutches are a nuisance. Brakes life and death.
Click to expand...
I haven't had a clutch cable break in many years . Like say 40 .
Inspect and change out if worried beforehand .
 
I've been lucky, never broken a clutch cable on any motorcycle. I replace them when they become stiff/lube no longer helps My '76 Honda CB400F is hard on cables due to their routing very close to engine heat - a couple of years per set.
 
Venhill Featherlite cables don't need to be lubricated as they are teflon lined.
johnm said:
Do those Venhill cables have properly birdsnested wire so they don't pull through?
Click to expand...
Yes.

Venhill Motorcycle Clutch Cables | Clutch Cable Kits & More

Discover Venhill's motorcycle clutch cables and kits - high quality and reliable. If you need a bespoke cable, send us the original and we can produce a replica.
www.venhill.co.uk www.venhill.co.uk
"Each cable is ‘bird-caged'"

If the clutch stack height is set correctly then the cable may last longer.
 
Im lucky, I have a complete parts , service Norton shop within 40 miles of me. I was there 1 day a coupe of years ago, and was talking about the stiff clutch pull. He had me try his personal rider, and pulling that lever was night and day. Effortless. The cable was a Teflon-lined "easy-pull" cable from Barnett. I've owned and wrenched on vintage bikes for 60 years, and know all about adjustments and lube. Old cable on my Combat was a "new" cable not too many years ago, and got lubed as needed, but this Teflon lined cable is something else. Highly recommend.
 
I think my cable is original and all I’ve done with it is clean it and feed lube down it. Having a dry clutch with the extra plate I have a silky smooth light pull.
 
At least you would not be stranded if a cable broke. I find the shifts can be quite smooth with speed matching, no clutch
if necessary.
 

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