I'm very new to biking and this morning when I
was about to set off on my Suzuki GZ125, I noticed there was absolutely
no tension in the clutch lever. When I looked and peeled back the sort
of rubber protective cover where the silver cable goes into the black
cable cover, it had completely snapped. I was gutted as I can't ride my
bike this weekend and what a weekend for it! I am getting it fixed but
I wanted to ask: how common is this a problem and what causes it? My
bike was apparently fully serviced before it was delivered to me. FYI:
It's a 59 plate and so surely in 4 years and 5500 miles on the clock it
should still function ok? How do I check for wear and tear on the cable
in the future because I guess if I was riding the bike and that
happened then that could be quite dangerous? How would you deal with that situation?
TBH a snapped clutch cable is a bit like a puncture, one of those annoying things that always seems to happen at the worst possible moment. It does sound as if it's gone a bit early in the life of the bike, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. A new one is about £12 from Wemoto (Google them if you haven't heard of them) and if you don't feel up to fitting it yourself, I'm sure there will be some BM member over in Yorkshire (Emzed, where are you?) who'll be willing to help. It's only a quarter of an hour's work, fi that.
I had a clutch cable snap on my Z650 when I was despatching,in the middle of Leeds city centre,had to stop with the kill switch and start it in gear,was an interesting day! Dyrons on York Road (A64) used to be Suzuki dealers til recently so they may keep one in,nearest otherwise is Appleyards in Keighley who don't open sundays.Sprint motorcycles in Wakefield used to open sunday mornings and seemed to keep everything! I'm in Leeds and while I'm no mechanic I'm sure I could change a clutch cable,done a few before.If you can get a cable and are struggling to fit it send me a pm and I'll see what I can do.
Guys - I really appreciate this advice - I spoke to the garage where I bought the bike and because it's still under warranty they are gonna sort it for me but they can't get the part until mid-week next week. I did ring Dyrons and they advised the same thing, as well as several other local garages. Coincidentally, I'm hoping to sign up for a basic motorcycle maintenance night course at a local college in September so I'm hoping to learn how to do this sort of thing for myself! I'm really grateful for your replies though!
Maybe ask them to order you a spare so you have one to hand in case it goes again ... I have put 2 on mine in the last 3 yrs so now i carry a spare on long distance runs ...
Get the garage to check the run area of the cable and hopefully they replace the outer as it has done low miles could be rubbing somewhere.
Also ensure when you carry out that deep clean every now and again oil the cable but it doesn't need doing too much and just google and it is a simple thing to do but it will lengthen the life of your cable.... Got to admit in 26 years I have never had a clutch or brake cable snap on me.... Speedo yes those are a pain in the middle of camera land lol
So I rang Honda today and they've told me they won't change it for me, seems they are getting the clutch cable as a courtesy to me but they say they are not obliged to fit it. Which leaves me in the sh*t really... So I should receive that cable tomorrow morning but I've no idea what I am doing with it. I've left a message at my school to see if anyone there can help me. This is so frustrating
I often find myself going faster than I thought I was,that's Honda Blackbirds for you. If you get stuck fitting the cable give me a shout,I'm in Leeds so not far and have tools and some basic knowledge,can't be that hard to change?
Hi Nikki
I fitted a clutch cable to my bike some years ago and altho it was a relatively easy job it was bleddy fiddly. If you've got a bit of patience it won't take you very long.
Whoever fits it for you watch how they do it or fit it yourself with their guidance, there's so much satisfaction when you can do your own maintenance, not to mention saving money.
I have asked a guy that I know locally to look at it tomorrow. If I have ever any problems then I will pm Sprint 900 who is local to me. Again, thanks a million guys, it's really appreciated as I feel very lost without my little bike! :-(
Still without my bike for the time being but have booked a motorbike mechanic to come out and see it on Saturday morning. Once again, thanks for all the advice and I am sure he will be able to sort it.
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