Rear Brake Cable

I'm rebuilding a 72 Roadster - it needs a rear brake cable. My 74 Roadster needs a new one too. So, I found what seemed like a good deal and bought two new cables. They are EMGO (didn't know that when I ordered.) They are heavy duty. So heavy duty that they are not usable! They are so stiff that they won't sit correctly in boss on the swingarm end and drag on the cable so bad that the pedal won't return enough to turn off the brake light. The outer is longer than the originals which adds to the problem and the free length is shorter than it should be which limits how far back the rear wheel can be adjusted.

I shortened the outer on one to the correct length which helped but it is still not usable. All springs in the rear brake are new. I added the brake pedal safety spring and still no joy.

So, buyer beware! Lots of people are selling those cables. One way to spot them is that the clevis comes with a pin which is secured with a cotter pin.

Thanks for the warning!

This looks like the real thing. but there are 7 bidders already, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/06-0482-Ne...801846?hash=item1ee3ea4c36:g:0rsAAOSwcfdbLCQG

Here's another, used, but original. MIght clean up well?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-71-NO...451262&hash=item1cafaed814:g:v68AAOSwRQlXeY9b

Another original, cleaner, lots more $$
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-NO...xwAAOSwUn9aIaWt:sc:USPSFirstClass!95819!US!-1

Buying from an unknown source such as ebay is always risky. Why not spend a little more and get the real deal from those reputable dealers that support our hobby. All of this "looking for the best deal" mentality is one of the reasons why nobody is willing to step up and take over a specialized business such as dealing in Norton parts. All of the top notch Norton parts retailers are getting up in years and who will be there to fill the void. Nobody with any business sense that's for sure. Nothing as frustrating as getting a great deal on something that doesn't fit or work. Then the real fun begins as you try to return it with the buyer usually on the hook for shipping costs. After years of working in large motorcycle dealerships this is one soap box that I could climb on and about speak for hours. Be thankful for those Norton retailers that have taken the foolish risk to do what they do. We can be our own worst enemy.

Actually, I've bought over $4200 from Andover Norton in the last year. With shipping, ordering a single part from the UK makes no sense. The shipping doesn't matter much when I buy hundreds or thousands of $ worth at a time, but it hurts real bad for a single cable. Unfortunately, I forgot to order the cables with my order earlier this month.

As far as reputable dealers, I bought the cables from British Only via their eBay site. I really don't know who is a "top notch Norton parts retailer" other than me and I'm probably the smallest Norton parts retailer on the planet. At least all the Norton parts I sell are made by me or come from Andover Norton.

Mr. Rick said:

Thanks for the warning!

This looks like the real thing. but there are 7 bidders already, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/06-0482-Ne...801846?hash=item1ee3ea4c36:g:0rsAAOSwcfdbLCQG

Here's another, used, but original. MIght clean up well?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-71-NO...451262&hash=item1cafaed814:g:v68AAOSwRQlXeY9b

Another original, cleaner, lots more $$
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-NO...xwAAOSwUn9aIaWt:sc:USPSFirstClass!95819!US!-1

Click to expand...

You're welcome and I was one of those bidders on the first one - won it. It's the last piece I needed.

Venhill rear brake cables are one of the best available
https://www.venhill.co.uk/n01-2-100t4.html
Regards Mike

Brooking 850 said:

Venhill rear brake cables are one of the best available
https://www.venhill.co.uk/n01-2-100t4.html
Regards Mike

Click to expand...

Yup, quality fit and finish top notch.

I'm a loner restoring an old Norton and swear by Barnett for cables and clutch parts. Not so much for their stock Norton parts, but for their ability to custom make exactly what you need to fit your bike. Example: My rear set foot pegs came with a stock rear brake cable, routed incorrectly under the silencer mount. I asked Barnett for the same part one inch longer (so it could be routed over the mount to allow full rear shock compression) and it arrived two days later. Stock price was $19, custom was $50. That's a no-brainer for me.

Mr. Rick said:

Thanks for the warning!

This looks like the real thing. but there are 7 bidders already, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/06-0482-Ne...801846?hash=item1ee3ea4c36:g:0rsAAOSwcfdbLCQG

Here's another, used, but original. MIght clean up well?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-71-NO...451262&hash=item1cafaed814:g:v68AAOSwRQlXeY9b

Another original, cleaner, lots more $$
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-OEM-NO...xwAAOSwUn9aIaWt:sc:USPSFirstClass!95819!US!-1

Click to expand...

i have one of those show on the first 2 ebay listing. new never used , came with the bike and it has the wrong clevis end at the footpeg, the opening is 8mm and does not include a pin, while the factory is more like about 6-7mm , either bore it out and be screwed when you get the next one, or send it back.

I don't consider ebay a place to shop for quality parts.

back to the OP, i think i have an Emgo cable on mine , yes its stiff but it does work.

marshg246 said:

Actually, I've bought over $4200 from Andover Norton in the last year. With shipping, ordering a single part from the UK makes no sense. The shipping doesn't matter much when I buy hundreds or thousands of $ worth at a time, but it hurts real bad for a single cable. Unfortunately, I forgot to order the cables with my order earlier this month.

As far as reputable dealers, I bought the cables from British Only via their eBay site. I really don't know who is a "top notch Norton parts retailer" other than me and I'm probably the smallest Norton parts retailer on the planet. At least all the Norton parts I sell are made by me or come from Andover Norton.

Click to expand...

In the USA there's Fred and Ella at Old Britts, Phil Radford at Fair Spars, Kenny Cummings at NYC Norton, Matt at Colorado Norton Works, there was Steve Giblin at European Cyles in Redmond, WA. who just retired and shut his doors, and the list goes on and on. Hard working people trying to help us out while still also trying to eke out a living. No wonder more and more small retailers are closing down. There's a great list of suppliers listed on the inoanorton.com web page.

I have found some really solid offerings on Fleabay and I have also found some outstanding junk.
I just dig around until I find a solid vendor, but honestly, I do my best to spread my biz around to the solid shops out there and have managed to befriend a couple of the voices on the other end of the line as well.

Mr. Rick said:

Thanks for the warning!

This looks like the real thing. but there are 7 bidders already, so...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/06-0482-Ne...801846?hash=item1ee3ea4c36:g:0rsAAOSwcfdbLCQG

Click to expand...

The end of the story... So, I won the one above. It is clearly NOS in a sealed bag with the paper inside marked Genuine Norton Factory Part with the address Norton Motors LTD. Shenstone, Staffordshire WS14 0EA, England and the part number was stamped (not printed) on the paper.

It is a Venhill nylon lined cable (printed on the cable in white). It is very heavy duty, but the outer jacket is flexible enough that it works fine. It is also not what was originally used by Norton. I know this because I have two known original cables and the clevis on both was chromed and shaped differently than this zinc-plated and chromated clevis. Still, it is a nicer cable than the originals.

There are quite a few things today that Venhill supplies to Andover Norton as well. So, who knows what is genuine - I suppose it depends on when you bought the part.

You got a good deal! That Venhill normally goes for about $45 + shipping...