clutch cable
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ga
clutch cable
Does anyone have any tips for changing the clutch cable on a 2012 fat boy? I'm changing my bars and had to get a longer clutch cable. However, I cannot get the thing to screw in. I've removed the cover and got the stock cable off fairly easily. I'm not sure what to do at this point.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ga
I hate that the first question everyone asks is if you have a service manual. Yes I do, and I was using it. However I didn't see anything about a special way to screw the cable in. I can run it through the inlet and was able to get it connected correctly. I just can't get the damn threads started.
Grand HDF Member
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From: Omaha
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 30
From: Orlando, FL
I've been doing a bit of research to get prepared to do this myself.
One thing I made note of that didn't appear in any one else's instructions I found here in instruction #6 (with a picture right above): http://hdbikeparts.com/PDF_FILES/Clutch%20cable.pdf
Perhaps you're trying to go in straight and need to be at the slight angle as shown in that pic. Just a shot in the dark from someone who hasn't done it yet, but I hope it helps!
One thing I made note of that didn't appear in any one else's instructions I found here in instruction #6 (with a picture right above): http://hdbikeparts.com/PDF_FILES/Clutch%20cable.pdf
Perhaps you're trying to go in straight and need to be at the slight angle as shown in that pic. Just a shot in the dark from someone who hasn't done it yet, but I hope it helps!
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ga
Thats what I was trying to do but the damn thing won't go on. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I even tried putting the stock one back in with no luck. It's a brand new side cover from hd because I decided to switch to the wrinkle black covers. I'm really at a loss here. The threads look good and everything seems right they just aren't going together.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
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From: St. Louis, MO
When I did mine, I spun the side cover onto the cable to get it started like others have written.
Have you tried your old cover to see if you can get it on the old cable and the new cable? Maybe then you'll get the hang of screwing it on where you know it worked before (the old cover and the old cable). Then try the new cable in the old cover.
It's possible the new side cover has bunged up or wrong threads from the factory. You can't fix wrong but you can fix bunged up. It's happened to me many times I get something with bunged up threads, most recently on Christmas day. I keep a tap and die set for this very reason (harbor freight but works great for this purpose) and I've always been able to chase the threads sometimes coming in from the backside) and get things squared. If you've got a tap and die set I'd recommend this as a next step.
Have you tried your old cover to see if you can get it on the old cable and the new cable? Maybe then you'll get the hang of screwing it on where you know it worked before (the old cover and the old cable). Then try the new cable in the old cover.
It's possible the new side cover has bunged up or wrong threads from the factory. You can't fix wrong but you can fix bunged up. It's happened to me many times I get something with bunged up threads, most recently on Christmas day. I keep a tap and die set for this very reason (harbor freight but works great for this purpose) and I've always been able to chase the threads sometimes coming in from the backside) and get things squared. If you've got a tap and die set I'd recommend this as a next step.