Clutch and cable source

[mvalenti]

1980 gs850, replacing clutch and cable. Latest recommendations for online vendors appreciated. Been a while since i have ordered online.

[Brendan W]

Not a big user of replacement cables. I used these http://slinky-glide.co.uk/#home for a clutch cable
Bought through Wemoto, a UK distributor. http://www.wemoto.com/info/slinky_glide_cables/
Cable has performed well and is light.
It is a little too long which means the clutch arm is toed out a bit.
Doesn't seem to make any difference to effort required.

[Nessism]

OEM Suzuki cables are the best available. Order through your favorite dealership source such as Part Outlaw or Partzilla.

[bwringer]

Yep, the OEM cables are the best by far. And they're usually only a few bucks more or about the same price as the imitation garbage.

By "replacing clutch" what do you intend to replace and why?

99.999% of the time, all you need to replace to fix a slipping GS clutch are the clutch springs. Drop in six new OEM clutch springs (NOT the aftermarket garbage -- OEM Suzuki only), button it up with an OEM clutch cover gasket and you're golden. Maybe treat yourself to some nice stainless steel socket head replacement screws.

Also take a peek at your clutch lever -- if the cable hole is the least bit worn, as most are, replace the lever with an OEM part. Again, the aftermarket stuff is evil garbage and an OEM lever is surprisingly inexpensive.


Although "Slinky Glide" is just about the coolest possible brand name in the universe for replacement control cables, they don't seem to be available in the US.

[mvalenti]

Thanks all! Bwringer, reason I am replacing is the clutch plates are worn. They were a bit sketchy a few seasons ago, when I began to feel some slippage. I am running rotella, and I had replaced the springs with oems and readjusted clutch, and it did feel better. Noticed some slipping again this year, clutched was adjusted properly. I then inspected clutch discs, metal ones werent glazed, burnt, or warped however the "cork?" ones looked worn, raised pads measuring between .003 and .010 tall. Whats your opinion.

[Steve]

You don't measure the 'raised pads', you measure the total thickness of the friction pad. Don't have a manual near me to quote sizes, but unless your bike has been used for drag racing or has WELL over 100,000 miles on it, they should still be in-spec.

.

[Brendan W]

Standard 2.7 - 2.9 mm. Bottom limit 2.4 mm

[mvalenti]

Went through my notes. .102-.106 imches total thickness.so im around the 2.7mm... now Im really confused....

[Brendan W]

At 2.7 you would have passed for assembly and you still have 0.3 to go to the bottom thickness limit.

[mvalenti]

YEP.. it would appear that way. so back to checking springs, warped/glazed plates, or cable adjustment... any other ideas? Is it recommended I take 100 grit and rough up the steel plates?