Clutch Cable Install
Clutch Cable Install
I'm replacing my clutch cable with a Diamond Back braided, I already did bith brakes, is there anything special I should know before starting this project? BTW..I've never replaced a clutch cable on a street bike, only 2 strokes.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 64
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It is easy. By looking at your picture, you will have to remove the exhaust.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 1
From: Reno, Nevada
It is easy. By looking at your picture, you will have to remove the exhaust.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
Good advice given here. One more thing though, not that the new HD clutches are hard to pull by any means, you might want to condiser getting something like the reduced effort clutch kit from HD or the White brothers EZ boy clutch just to make it a little easier on the hands. You are already going to be in the tranny to replace the old cable, might as well kill 2 birds with one stone. Or even both because the work in different ways.
Works in the Tranny
http://www.chopperscycle.com/page/VTS/PROD/38-290/21415
Or use in conjunction with the HD kit
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Works in the Tranny
http://www.chopperscycle.com/page/VTS/PROD/38-290/21415
Or use in conjunction with the HD kit
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Last edited by sonar_chris; Aug 13, 2008 at 09:56 PM.
It is easy. By looking at your picture, you will have to remove the exhaust.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
I do it without draining the tranny fluid. I take two 2-4's a foot long or so and place one in front of each tire. I roll back a bit and then roll the bike on the 2x4's. This allows the bike to lean over pretty far on the kickstand preventing the oil from drain when you remove the cover. If you do it like this, you might get 4 or 5 drops drip out and that is all. You will need snap ring pliers. Depending on how old your cable is(how much it has stretched) you might have to go into the derby cover and adjust the clutch there to ensure you have room to adjust the cable later. I've done this procedure for 13 years and it works great.
PM me if you would like more info.
Thanks All!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
i did my cable and installed the MRC easy clutch ball and ramp, made a big difference. if you notice in the picture of the easy boy setup youll see that the cable, after installation to the extension on the ball and ramp, is now at a angle and i figure it would, over time, wear through the housing. plus there are some people that cant get enough movement the the release with the easyboy to fully disengage there clutch. makes sense, you move the pivot point out and your not moving it as far when you pull it. the right way is the MRC and there are a few other places that make a easy clutch ball and ramp setup. the MRC is sold only by harley davidson so you figure it has to work otherwise why would they sell, install, it.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 2
From: Norwalk, Ohio
For the people that installed the clutch cable via the 2x4 method by strippedthread1. Are the 2x4 boards high enough so that you don't lose much oil?
I have my bike up on the boards now and leaning to the left, but I thought it would be leaning more. maybe I'm just paranoid, but i didn't want to take an oil bath. My diamondback clutch cable is my last cable to install.
Did it leak much for you, especially since modern 2x4s aren't really 2 inches thick.
Thanks if anyone can chime in with a bit of advice.
I have my bike up on the boards now and leaning to the left, but I thought it would be leaning more. maybe I'm just paranoid, but i didn't want to take an oil bath. My diamondback clutch cable is my last cable to install.
Did it leak much for you, especially since modern 2x4s aren't really 2 inches thick.
Thanks if anyone can chime in with a bit of advice.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 12
From: Westchester, NY
Why not just replace the Tranny Fluid? It can't hurt and it will be good as new....
I realize saving money is a good thing but unless you are changing Clutch Cables every week what's the big deal with using new fluid?
Mike
NY
I realize saving money is a good thing but unless you are changing Clutch Cables every week what's the big deal with using new fluid?
Mike
NY
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Northern, NJ
I agree...doesn't cost much!!