I previously posted about how I couldn't shift into neutral when the engine was good and hot.

Today I ran into the same issue during the CPD memorial ride.

I was pushing the bike pretty on some stretches and at the end of the ride, it wouldn't shift into neutral with ease. Required quite a bit of foot strength.

On the way back, under police escort, the clutch cable broke!



So the bike is back at home now thanks to uhaul and a friends truck.

I wonder if I didn't adjust it properly but now I have to replace it.

I've got the Haynes manual which I'm reading through and looking through some videos.

Any recommendations on a clutch cable?

Also, should I look to replace the throttle cable as well?

Thanks.

It's too late now, but you can limp a bike around without a clutch.
I wouldn't replace the throttle cables unless they look frayed.
I keep spare throttle and clutch cables under my seat, for just such an occasion (as well as spare clutch and brake levers, a gear shifter, and a rear brake peddle). That way if I have a small tip over that damages something I should be able to fix it and keep riding.

Quote from: Slack on July 26, 2015, 05:50:20 PM
It's too late now, but you can limp a bike around without a clutch.
I wouldn't replace the throttle cables unless they look frayed.
I keep spare throttle and clutch cables under my seat, for just such an occasion (as well as spare clutch and brake levers, a gear shifter, and a rear brake peddle). That way if I have a small tip over that damages something I should be able to fix it and keep riding.

Hi Slack.

Not sure what you mean by "it's too late now"

I can't replace the clutch cable?

was going to buy this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Suzuki-GS500-1990-2000-CLUTCH-CABLE-NOS-OEM-58200-01D11-/381200845004?hash=item58c15748cc&vxp=mtr

I've got the bike home safely with a trailer.

No he meant it's too late to limp the bike home with a busted cable. There are ways to do it, but a truck w/ trailer is the easiest hands down....

Most likely your cable was being stretched over time and was about to snap (hence the trouble finding neutral). Adjusting it too tight can cause premature wear, and too loose can cause clutch slip.

Believe it or not, OEM cables are always the best in my opinion. Motion Pro cables are a close second. Everything else is a gamble.

While you're purchasing stuff, I'll recommend buying a Motion Pro cable lubing tool. Oh yeah.... and a cheap used cable from ebay to keep under the seat as a backup.

Quote from: Big Rich on July 26, 2015, 06:21:49 PM
No he meant it's too late to limp the bike home with a busted cable. There are ways to do it, but a truck w/ trailer is the easiest hands down....

Most likely your cable was being stretched over time and was about to snap (hence the trouble finding neutral). Adjusting it too tight can cause premature wear, and too loose can cause clutch slip.

Believe it or not, OEM cables are always the best in my opinion. Motion Pro cables are a close second. Everything else is a gamble.

While you're purchasing stuff, I'll recommend buying a Motion Pro cable lubing tool. Oh yeah.... and a cheap used cable from ebay to keep under the seat as a backup.

Thanks Big Rich.

Yeah i was surrounded by about 2000 other motorcycles and didn't want to keep rolling with a broken clutch. So i got it off to the side and just left it there until I could get a trailer. Cost only $14.95 and some time. Totally worth it.

So buying the genuine part is a bad idea? the link i posted is of a genuine part but it seems to be old. Not sure if that really makes a difference.

thanks!

Anoop

Oh no, OEM isn't a bad idea at all. The best cables I've ever used are OEM.

Quote from: Big Rich on July 26, 2015, 07:14:43 PM
Oh no, OEM isn't a bad idea at all. The best cables I've ever used are OEM.

Many thanks. Clutch cable and MP lube tool ordered.

Places like Ron ayers are probably a better bet than eBay for parts. All oem of course.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Quote from: bmf on July 27, 2015, 04:27:33 AM
Places like Ron ayers are probably a better bet than eBay for parts. All oem of course.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

yeah the clutch cable there was only $18.48. Should have bought that. Oh well, $20 lesson is pretty cheap

thanks!

I was starting to have the same problem with getting into neutral and went to adjust my clutch.  I found that half of the cable is already frayed loose at the lever.  I adjusted the clutch cable and problem with getting into neutral went away.  I ordered a new OEM cable from rockymountainatv, but it's backordered.  Maybe I'll get a cheap used OEM Ebay cable in the mean time and put the extra cable under the seat for the future.

A quick question. Did you have a problem finding neutral while the bike was moving or when it was stationary? While its moving I find it easily, but when stopped its quite hard, most of the time I cant even get out of 1st gear...

Quote from: Skropi on July 27, 2015, 08:30:17 AM
A quick question. Did you have a problem finding neutral while the bike was moving or when it was stationary? While its moving I find it easily, but when stopped its quite hard, most of the time I cant even get out of 1st gear...

That's normal.  Just roll back and forth a little and it will slip into neutral.   Wouldn't hurt to check your clutch adjustments though.

Quote from: Skropi on July 27, 2015, 08:30:17 AM
A quick question. Did you have a problem finding neutral while the bike was moving or when it was stationary? While its moving I find it easily, but when stopped its quite hard, most of the time I cant even get out of 1st gear...

When the bike was moving, it's easy but i didn't always manage to catch neutral while coming to a stop.

So then i was stuck doing it at a stop light. Initially, it's very easy to do but as the bike really gets hot, it becomes significantly harder.

finally, the cable just snapped!