Hi All,
I recently got my first ever motorbike, a 1995 GS500E. By way of introduction, I know basically nothing about motorbikes or how to look after them except through what I have been able to find out on web sites like this one. From the research I was able to do, the GS500E seemed like an ideal bike to get started on and I have a great time learning to ride on it. On to the problem....and my first bike mechanics learning experience...
On riding it home this evening I appear to have broken a clutch cable (clutch lever suddenly went slack and inoperable - probably caused by learner rider changing down too early!). Managed to get it into second and nurse it home without getting run over - fortunately it wasn't far to go. From what I can see, it is still appropriately attached at both ends, so I assume it has gone somewhere along its length. Are there any tips or tricks that anyone would like to give a newbie on replacing the clutch cable? I've found a few in this forum on adjustment, but couldn't find anything on actual replacement.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Rod
Start off by getting a repair manual. You shouldn't have been able to break the clutch cable just by shifting down too early or whatever.
You may want to check the locknut on the clutch cable at the back of the clutch lever. It's unlikely but perhaps if it wasn't tight the nut backed out and you now have way too much freeplay in the cable.
ASLAM.
I broke the clutch cable on my '99 at about 15,000 miles. It wasn't too hard to replace, but I was glad I had a repair manual to walk me through it.
For more details, see the old message thread Replace Clutch Cable - How Difficult? (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3665).
PS - While you're trying to decide which manual to buy (Haynes vs. Clymer) go ahead and order a new clutch cable. That way, when the manual shows up you will have the new cable ready to go. And if it turns out that aslam's unlikely scenario is correct and your cable isn't broken, you'll have one handy for when it does break.
PPS - Lubricate your cable at least once a year to help prevent breakage. My clutch lever got harder and harder to pull before the cable broke, and I bet lubing it would have made a difference
OK here is a trick...
When you undo the cable... at the bottom end before you yank the old cable out tie a end of a show lace on the thing... then pull it out the top... that way the shoe lace can be used to pull the cable back into place wihtout having to take the tank off.
Cool.
Srinath.