clutch cables and repair

[Anonymous]

alright, i was looking on ebay and just around the internet to try and find the right cable for my 1987 gs450L. does anyone have any answers as to what size or if that even matters? are all the clutch cables the same other then size? and how hard is it to replace one given that i have no knowledge of motorcycle maintenance and repair. i do however have pleanty of tools

[Anonymous]

Getting Parts

ebay is a great place to get stuff for your bike however I've been using these guys located somewhere in the MidWest (Im in the North East) called MidWest Action Cycle 1800.323.0078

They've so far been pretty fair in price and usually have what I'm looking for.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Just buy NEW. You will pay a few dollars more but it will last a lifetime for your bike It is listed for $12.88 at AlphaSports

http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm

[fastpakr]

Are any brands better than others? My (I think Motion Pro?) cable that I replaced last year decided to separate this morning with no warning whatsoever. I've ordered two cables this morning through the local shop, I assume they're genuine OEM Suzuki cables. In a quick look at the broken cable, it appeared that it was just a cheap connection to the end that goes into the lever. Is there any particular brand that is less likely to break like this? Cutting the safety switch wires and clamping a vise grip onto the release arm while standing on the side of the road in the rain wasn't my idea of fun on the way to work...

[HiSPL]

The stock cable is just as cheap and lasts a hell of a lot longer than anything else.

The other big factor determining cable life is lubing the little barrel in your clutch handle. The opening faces forward and catches all the rain and dust and dirt that you ride through. When this barrel can no longer turn freely in the hole, it starts to bend the steel cable which will eventually snap. I use a white lithium grease in an aerosol can (CRC brand) for this purpose. Lithium grease doesn't wash off easily from the rain.

[fastpakr]

I've been using white lithium, but iadmittedly it had been a little while since the last lubing. I'm fairly confident that the ones I ordered will be OEM units, so between the two I should be much better off. Thanks!

[redliner1973]

If you still have the barrel piece, you can make a temp repair with a propane torch and some acid-core solder. i used to have to do this when I had my Suzuki 90, as there were no clutch cables available for it. Heat it up, slip in the freshly ct off cable, heat some more, then flow the solder, cool, and viola, instant repair until you break down and pay the <$20 for a new one.

[fastpakr]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot when I have a few minutes so I can have another spare.