Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
Just picked up my Dyna Wide Glide from winter storage on monday. It's an 07' with ~1K miles on it. Riding down the highway at 60 mph I pulled in the clutch lever to shift and there was no tension!!!
I kept squeezing an releasing the lever like somehow it was going to fix itself. I've only been riding for about 1 year so I have no experience for this. I remember reading an article about being able to shift without the clutch, so I made my way over to the breakdown lane and kept hittnig the peg to downshift while slowly applying a steady brake (also read about that - not panicking and slow and steady on the brake.)
I came to a safe stop on the side of the road. The clutch cable was still attached to the lever but broke somewhere inside the housing. The local police came and hung out with me for about 30 minutes talking about bikes till the flatbed arrived and back to the dealers.
I felt fortunate I made it safe to a stop, but not real happy that a new Halrey spits a clutch cable. The police officer told me he's been riding for 30 years and it had never happened to him.
Oh, well hope this little story helps someone else out someday.
- tincanson589
I kept squeezing an releasing the lever like somehow it was going to fix itself. I've only been riding for about 1 year so I have no experience for this. I remember reading an article about being able to shift without the clutch, so I made my way over to the breakdown lane and kept hittnig the peg to downshift while slowly applying a steady brake (also read about that - not panicking and slow and steady on the brake.)
I came to a safe stop on the side of the road. The clutch cable was still attached to the lever but broke somewhere inside the housing. The local police came and hung out with me for about 30 minutes talking about bikes till the flatbed arrived and back to the dealers.
I felt fortunate I made it safe to a stop, but not real happy that a new Halrey spits a clutch cable. The police officer told me he's been riding for 30 years and it had never happened to him.
Oh, well hope this little story helps someone else out someday.
- tincanson589
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
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From:
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
glad you were able to make it to safety. sometimes things break sooner than later. maybe
there was a flaw in the cable or something else that caused it to break. should be an easy fix.
there was a flaw in the cable or something else that caused it to break. should be an easy fix.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 6
From: Kalaui Kona HI
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
On my old inline four I broke a few clutch cables no fun. I was on a road trip one time and it did suck. I am glad youwere able to stop the bike safely. Thats what counts and you didn't panic. Great job.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
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From:
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
You should practice shifting without using the clutch just for this reason.....Glad you made it to safety!!! These things do happen, shifting without the clutch is all about the proper RPM, when you hit it right, it just slips right in, that's what she says anyway!!!! Seriously, practice it, play with the throttle and you will get used to it. Don't force it, when the RPMS are right it works. Before all you naysayers jump in, I ride without using the clutch quite often (except taking off from a stop, I can get to neutral without a clutch) and have never hurt a transmission doing it.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 104
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
So,in this case.....
Do you apply pressure downward and wait for it to slide down? Or just guess at the proper RPM?
Ihave upshifted without the clutch, Just never down.
Do you apply pressure downward and wait for it to slide down? Or just guess at the proper RPM?
Ihave upshifted without the clutch, Just never down.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 294
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From:
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
Exactly, soft pressure down and get the RPM's right and it will just pop right in, when down shifting expect to increase the rpms slightly, practice at low speeds up shift and down shift, just don't force it, it works and really helps in an "emergency situation" After some practice, you will rarely use the clutch unless starting from a stop, at least I don't!!!
I wanted to add, when you get it right, the Sum Bitch sounds like it has an automatic in it...Everyone will ask.........WTF!!!
I wanted to add, when you get it right, the Sum Bitch sounds like it has an automatic in it...Everyone will ask.........WTF!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
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From:
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
ORIGINAL: tincanson589
Just picked up my Dyna Wide Glide from winter storage on monday. It's an 07' with ~1K miles on it. Riding down the highway at 60 mph I pulled in the clutch lever to shift and there was no tension!!!
I kept squeezing an releasing the lever like somehow it was going to fix itself. I've only been riding for about 1 year so I have no experience for this. I remember reading an article about being able to shift without the clutch, so I made my way over to the breakdown lane and kept hittnig the peg to downshift while slowly applying a steady brake (also read about that - not panicking and slow and steady on the brake.)
I came to a safe stop on the side of the road. The clutch cable was still attached to the lever but broke somewhere inside the housing. The local police came and hung out with me for about 30 minutes talking about bikes till the flatbed arrived and back to the dealers.
I felt fortunate I made it safe to a stop, but not real happy that a new Halrey spits a clutch cable. The police officer told me he's been riding for 30 years and it had never happened to him.
Oh, well hope this little story helps someone else out someday.
- tincanson589
Just picked up my Dyna Wide Glide from winter storage on monday. It's an 07' with ~1K miles on it. Riding down the highway at 60 mph I pulled in the clutch lever to shift and there was no tension!!!
I kept squeezing an releasing the lever like somehow it was going to fix itself. I've only been riding for about 1 year so I have no experience for this. I remember reading an article about being able to shift without the clutch, so I made my way over to the breakdown lane and kept hittnig the peg to downshift while slowly applying a steady brake (also read about that - not panicking and slow and steady on the brake.)
I came to a safe stop on the side of the road. The clutch cable was still attached to the lever but broke somewhere inside the housing. The local police came and hung out with me for about 30 minutes talking about bikes till the flatbed arrived and back to the dealers.
I felt fortunate I made it safe to a stop, but not real happy that a new Halrey spits a clutch cable. The police officer told me he's been riding for 30 years and it had never happened to him.
Oh, well hope this little story helps someone else out someday.
- tincanson589
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Ponte Vedra, FL
RE: Busted Clutch Cable at 60 mph
I sometimes do this when riding and always wondered if I was hurting anything. Glad to know I'm not and not so glad to know it could come in handy one day!!! Glad you're okay!!
