Have a 1985 FXWG, Trying to determine how the clutch cable was routed originally. Does it go on the left side of the forks or between the forks between top and bottom triple trees? Also on left side of the frame close to the neck there is a small bracket sticking out. Is this where clutch cable is attached? Thanks a lot.

 

Not sure on a FXWG but on both my softails it curves around between the oil fitter and the frame down tubes then curves up the left down tube then curves to go into the clutch perch.
When you route your clutch cable you want no sharp bends in it.
Any sharp bends just cause a friction point on the inside of your cable making it pull harder and will eventually damage the cable.

 

My Road King has a small bracket on the outside of the left fork it goes through, then crosses at front of frame to the trans side down at the base of the front of frame. Then follows frame to trans.
No pinching
If you have a factory service manual, it's in there. If you don't, and plan on keeping the bike, it's worth the investment.
Good luck

 

The main thing like said no sharp bends, look at it,feel it and t will tell you what it wants.

 

The 'gentlest' route possible! The darned things don't bend too easily anyway.

 

The manual for 2017 XL1200s instructs to put the cable inboard of the left fork.

The manual for 2008 XL1200C instructs to route the cable to the outboard side of the left front fork slider tube.

This might have something to do with the fork spacing as the 2008 is narrower than the 2017.

 

Yes, that bracket on the left upper frame is for the clutch cable. After I bought my 1985 FXWG new, within the first week I changed to some drag bars, so I'll have to go back to find how the original cable routing was for the buck horns.

 

The cable attaches to the frame bracket you mentioned, goes behind the triple trees, then behind the handle bar, and over to the clutch lever.
The only part I'm not sure about is the bottom of the handle bar, whether the cable is in front or behind. I think that because the FXWG uses straight risers (not the pullback ones the FXST uses), it would have to go behind the bars, then up between the bars to the lever.