I know this topic seems like its been beaten to death but I think I've read every thread & still no luck.

For the past 3 days I've been measuring, googleing, forum searching, and I'm still not solid on what to do. I'm trying to order these cables tonight so I can take advantage of cyber Monday deals (that's the asap part).

I have narrow 18" ape hangers(34" wide) w/1.5" risers. I measured the cable length using a rope and starting from connection to connection. I read the recommended length is +10" but that was just a guess...

Throttle/Idle
my measurements = 54"
+10 cable length = 40 1/2"

Brake
my measurements = 62 1/2"
+10 cable length = 54"

Clutch
my measurements = 83"
+10 cable length = 74 11/16"


Any help is always appreciated!!

 

Let me just tell you man, you aint going to get the help you want with this. I was trying to do the same thing you are doing. I wanted to have my cables on hand for the bars I was getting so I wasn't stuck waiting on cables when I was ready to install them.

You are going to get 10 different answers from 10 different folks. Two guys using the same bars I was using, same cables from the same company gave two very different measurements. One said +12" on everything, the other said +4" for this +10" for that but you may need +6. And those were the ones that would bother to reply. So I gave up, let the shop do it, and still ended up with too long of a clutch cable. You are going to have to bite the bullet. Use thin gauge copper wire and small tie wraps to get the cables like you want. That's the only way to do it right.

Go with your measurements, not your guesses, and pull the trigger.

 

Greg, I'm a little worried about that but i'm running out of options and the local indy isn't one of them. I would just go ahead & go w/my own measurements but they are about 10" higher than the listed +14" length which seems kinda crazy to me.

I appreciate the reply/advice

 

Ok, so these are the cable lengths I used for my 2013 Breakout. I doubt the lengths will be drastically different from one Softail to another. They all pretty much use the same frame, and the cables go to the same places. I have 14" apes, and have my cables run very tight. There is not really much slack in any of them. So, if you are going with 18" apes, and want a little play, I would add 6" to each of the lengths I used. Also, I used Magnum Sheilding Cables. Other brands may vary slightly?

Here is the lengths I used.

Clutch = 68"
Brake = 48"
Throttle = 38.5"
Idle = 38.75"

I measured these with the bars bolted on, then waited for the cables. Here is a pic of how my cables are run.