how to measure what size clutch cable you need?

[Susuki_Jah]

how do I measure this ?  I ordered the clutch cable for my kawasaki g5 100 1973 but its obviously not the right thing. this pisses me off. the susuki clutch cable actually works for it but is a little to long. how do I figure on what size I need so I can buy one that actually works for the bike. im pretty pissed that kawasaki doesnt evne make parts for this bike anymore. its a freeking 1973 NOT THAT OLD!   


just another damn thing to piss me off. on top of my gs500 falling inside my truck bed tonight and putting a nice dent on the side of my truck. didnt hurt the overly heavy bike just my brand new truck. damn it

[makenzie71]

why not just get one a little shorter than the zooki one?

The G5 isn't but 33 years old...but everyting on the bike is 50+.  And a 33 year old bike IS old.

[Jughead]

Welcome to the World of Vintage bikes. One of my T500's is 39 and the other is 38 and I'm having to get the Really hard to find parts Reproduced.Luckily there are a few things that are still Available since they were Made until 77.

[Susuki_Jah]

well I dont consider anything from 73 to be old. but Ive always delt with cars and car parts are so easy to come by even if you own a 30's model they still make parts for them!!!!!


I know kawasaki has to have a stock pile of parts somwhere that they sold to someone. but why the hell would someone list a clutch cable that is 100% completely the wrong thing not even close.   its one thing to say hey I cant get the part. but it was stated in the parts book that the kawasaki cable was available. 

and I hate it when people ghetto fab stuff. this bike has some ghetto work done to it. it works but is a pain.

heck my 71 ford f100 has every single part available for it even down to the bolts and the original emblems.  grill and all. and anyone that knows ford trucks knows they used different grills for different years so its not a interchangable thing its still specific to each year. LMC truck... does wonders

[makenzie71]

That's because auto manufacturers produce in much large scale and have plants dedicated the the production of individual parts, where as bike manufacturers do most of their production in one facility.  It's only the stuff that's built off-site that you'll ever really be able to get "forever".

The 16" Enkei wheel found on the 900RR is a perfect example.  Hell, they're barely a decade old Honda doesn't have them anymore.  The prices for the wheel took a tremendous hike (even by dlr price standards) a year or two ago when the last in-house 16" wheel was sold.  Now, if you buy the wheel through Honda, they have to order it through Enkei.

[Jughead]

Kawasaki doesn't really have a Stockpile anymore.As I heard a While back they bought all of the Old stock back from dealers and Destroyed it.Had something to do with Tax write offs and to keep people like you and me from Keeping the Old stuff going so we would have to buy the new stuff. Honda done the same thing.
If it isn't the right Cable I would take it back and go to another dealer.You can probably cruise Ebay and find the right one.

[Susuki_Jah]

That's because auto manufacturers produce in much large scale and have plants dedicated the the production of individual parts, where as bike manufacturers do most of their production in one facility.  It's only the stuff that's built off-site that you'll ever really be able to get "forever".

The 16" Enkei wheel found on the 900RR is a perfect example.  Hell, they're barely a decade old Honda doesn't have them anymore.  The prices for the wheel took a tremendous hike (even by dlr price standards) a year or two ago when the last in-house 16" wheel was sold.  Now, if you buy the wheel through Honda, they have to order it through Enkei.

I guess I was in forced denial lol. 

I just had my hopes up high I guess. its ok with a little bit of time and a clear head I can figure it all out

[Jughead]

Oh yeah and Kawasaki is the worst at showing a Part as Being Available although it's discontinued.   You can go to bike bandit and it shows alot of the parts for H2's being Available including the Cylinders.

[Susuki_Jah]

ok what about making cables?  is there any kit? I mean I kinda ghetto fabbed one today, but its still not right. im thinking of going to the dealer telling them I need a cable like the gs500 one but shorter  by like 3"s  .. the other problem is I think the spring in the crank case for the clutch is not the proper spring. but for some reason the mechanics book doesnt mention anything about that or have any pics... go figure. and its not like many people own this bike lol. Im going to take some pics of it soon maybe you guys can help me out. im just frustrated with a lot of things right now so im not thinking so clear. thank you for bearing with me.

[makenzie71]

If you're really in that bad a need of cables, go to a hobby shop...one that caters to REAL rc enthusiasts.  They can make any cable you need.

Or you can just cut down a tube to the size you need, run cable through it in the length you need, use solder the seal the ends, and there you go.  Also, the clutch, throttle, and choke on my yami 400 are all from a schwinn 10spd.

[Jughead]

Or go to your dealer (actually any Dealer and tell them to Open up their Motion Pro Catalog and Order Clutch Cable part Number 03-0127 for $19.00 if you need a Throttle Cable they are Available for $26.50 and the part Number is 03-0146.I tried to get setup as a Motion Pro Dealer but never did go get my Business License or I could order it.Maybe one of these days pretty soon though.

[Susuki_Jah]

Or go to your dealer (actually any Dealer and tell them to Open up their Motion Pro Catalog and Order Clutch Cable part Number 03-0127 for $19.00 if you need a Throttle Cable they are Available for $26.50 and the part Number is 03-0146.I tried to get setup as a Motion Pro Dealer but never did go get my Business License or I could order it.Maybe one of these days pretty soon though.

wait whats this now?   its a kit? or cable for the kawa?



I remember now you were the one to find me this ...

It should Fit.I'll try to do some Checking and see.I have a kawasaki Crossover Manual.

Part # = 54011-075
Part Description = CLUTCH CABLE
Model Count = 11
G5B 74 100 G5 100 DUAL PURPOSE
G5C 75 100 G5 100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A10 81 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A5 76 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A6 77 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A7 78 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A8 79 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A9 80 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-B1 82 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KH100-B7 76 100 KH100 STREET
KH100-B8 77 100 KH100 STREET

Part # = 54005-067
Part Description = FRONT BRAKE CABLE
Model Count = 9
G5 72 100 G5 100 DUAL PURPOSE
G5B 74 100 G5 100 DUAL PURPOSE
G5C 75 100 G5 100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A10 81 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A5 76 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A6 77 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A7 78 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A8 79 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE
KE100-A9 80 100 KE100 DUAL PURPOSE


Most of the Motor Parts Will Exchange with the KE100's up to 99. 



Im going to try to do some checking again tomorrow. bring the cables in , show them the deal , ect.

[Jughead]

No with Motion pro they sell Reproduction Cables.Usually better than the Originals.I didn't think they would make one for a Street and trail that old but I guess they got an Order for one.I think Terryy cable will also make custom Cables.

[natedawg120]

No with Motion pro they sell Reproduction Cables.Usually better than the Originals.I didn't think they would make one for a Street and trail that old but I guess they got an Order for one.I think Terryy cable will also make custom Cables.

yeah just use a string and run the string as though it is the clutch cable.  Then measure the string and have a cable made to the proper length.  This trick also works for belts on cars if you need to eliminate something, like a bad A/C compressor

[Susuki_Jah]

No with Motion pro they sell Reproduction Cables.Usually better than the Originals.I didn't think they would make one for a Street and trail that old but I guess they got an Order for one.I think Terryy cable will also make custom Cables.

yeah just use a string and run the string as though it is the clutch cable.  Then measure the string and have a cable made to the proper length.  This trick also works for belts on cars if you need to eliminate something, like a bad A/C compressor

how much play should I figure on?

[natedawg120]

well if you run the string exactly as the cable would run then it should be close enough for adjustments to take care of.  Might want to tack on an inch or so since string is much more flexible than an actual clutch cable.  What i would do is since you know the suzuki cable works, but is a bit to long, measure the length of that and then the string and see what the difference is.  Then you would be able to take a better educated guess at the length of cable that will work for you.

[vags500]

Is there a company out there that makes custom cables to length?

Someone mentioned a hobby shop? Bicycle cables? What's the best way to attach the node to the end of the cable (usually bicycle cables only come with one end)?

[jordanearl]

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/

a buddy of mine has found a few parts for an old bike he was fixin up there