Clutch Cable change question....
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
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From: Glendale AZ
Clutch Cable change question....
From what Im reading when you remove the outter trany cover, you need to remove the circlip and remove the small pulley where the three ***** reside. Just looking at the picture it almost looks like you can unhook the cable end from the pulley end without having to disturb the circlip and the ball contents. Can anyone with experience expound on wby its necessary to remove the circlip with some photos of the underside?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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I just changed cables on my wife's bike today. I didn't try to get the cable loose without removing the pulley with the ***** under it but I don't think you can get enough slack in the cable without taking it off. The clip comes out very easily with a snap ring pliers so I guess I don't know why a person would want to leave it in and try to fight it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 9
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Just did mine. I couldn't get enough slack to get it, but like previous post...the clip comes out pretty easy (with hefty clip pliers) and goes back together pretty easy too. Not a bog deal.
It's actually a pretty easy job...I ran into issues though because I initially had my new cable routed wrong...just FYI to pay attention to your routing.
It's actually a pretty easy job...I ran into issues though because I initially had my new cable routed wrong...just FYI to pay attention to your routing.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
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From: Glendale AZ
I guess I'm hesitant about taking it apart because there's no instructions on what to expect once the clip comes off other than be careful with the *****, is it spring loaded or does it move freely? Or just dont lose the ball is the only thing I need to be concerned with? I guess then the recoil action occurs when it re-installed back onto the trany and the recoil spring action is controlled there?. Everyone says that area is the PITA, why?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 55
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From: St. Petersburg
My nemesis is the dreaded springs and clips. You can do this .It sounds harder than it is. Once you get in there you'll see how it works. Connecting the cable is maybe easier than the just getting to it part. Drain your trans. I had to grind down a allen wrench to get to the bottom bolts behind the exhaust. EASY....
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Glendale AZ
So your saying there is a spring actuator behind there and the ***** are for the roll of the actuator. Will the spring 'unspring' once the clip is removed and the actuator is lifted? It also sounds like you did yours without pulling the headpipe away.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,686
Likes: 2,118
From: Central, Ca.
Nothing will fly apart, the only reason the clip is tough is because it is so stiff, if you have control of the clip you have it made. I was able to get my cover off by removing the heat shield and use a ball end allen. No big deal really, good luck.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: PA
From what Im reading when you remove the outter trany cover, you need to remove the circlip and remove the small pulley where the three ***** reside. Just looking at the picture it almost looks like you can unhook the cable end from the pulley end without having to disturb the circlip and the ball contents. Can anyone with experience expound on wby its necessary to remove the circlip with some photos of the underside?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik73i5x3jdI
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Columbia, SC
I guess I'll be the only one to say the other way. For me, yes, I was able to loosen the clutch cable enough to just unhook it. Screw in the new clutch cable to the housing and put the metal link back on the end of the new clutch wire and hook it back into the pulley. Be sure you have the adjustment nut on the clutch cable adjusted to have the most slack possible. If you force it on the pulley it will get jammed with the ***** and you'll have to take the entire thing apart to allow those ***** to get free. It can be done though and it saves some time. Just be sure that you test the mechanism after hooking it that it all moves freely before putting it all back on the tranny.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: On the Front Range, CO
I've changed several clutch cables on various bikes while installing new bars. Usually, you can get enough slack out of the cable to swap it without removing the retention ring. If not, nothing special happens. The spring that applies pressure isn't behind the spring, but rather will be sticking out of the transmission as a spindle.
Biggest issue you'll face is removing the retention clip. It can be a trying process, but it's really not too difficult.
Biggest issue you'll face is removing the retention clip. It can be a trying process, but it's really not too difficult.