Stretching Service Intervals

Thanks for all of the advice, guys. I nipped down to Chasbikes in London on Saturday as they had a new OEM cable in stock and had a bash at installing it on Sunday.

Here's a wee snap of what I saw when the cable snapped.



I guess this was just wear and tear? I cracked open the clutch cover and was greeted with this beauty...



Loadsa beautiful muck in there... Definitely due a clean. The crud was almost half an inch thick at places. There is some oil near the chain here, which appears to be dripping from somewhere.

I gave the worst areas a cursory wipe with the promise to do a proper clean next weekend once I've gotten some bits to do a good job with. I was thinking pressure washer, bristle pad, a couple of toothbrushes and some automotive detergent? I have no idea where the oil is coming from though.

The cable itself was a doddle to fit (thanks for the tip on routing the cable by taping it to the end of the old one, Wideguy) and I greased the wotsits off of each end. The only griefy bit was prying that tab away to release the nipple at the clutch. I was terrified it was going to break off...

My only concern is that the clutch lever feels really springy. I'm not sure what the technical term is, but when it's pulled in (which it does grandly) it's really eager to go back. I guess the only way I can describe it is that it feels perfect on the way in and like a hand grip on the way out. Is this just because it's a new cable or does it need more slack somewhere? Hell, this might even be normal and I've just ridden with a crap clutch all this time.

I also did as you suggested, Pete, and changed my oil and filter. The old filter looked like it belonged in a museum! There were what I could only describe as barnacles on the filter head. The oil also looked like Coca Cola...

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Mako

I was thinking pressure washer, bristle pad, a couple of toothbrushes and some automotive detergent? I have no idea where the oil is coming from though. ..

Just done mine, old t shirt rags, flat blade screw drivers and a can of WD40 which is a bit more gentle than Gunk type cleaners. Worked well, but do put a flattened cardboard box down under the bike before you start to catch the mess or you will wreck the drive or garage floor and use lots of disposable gloves.

Once it's clean and dry you then stand a chance of locating the oil leak.

Pete

Is it not just chain lube being flung off the front sprocket?

I don't think so, I use this waxy stuff in a rattle can. I stand to be corrected once I give it a clean though!

If your clutch cable is clean and lubed with motor oil as it's supposed to be, what you will feel is the clutch springs trying to re-engage the clutch. You probably didn't feel this before because your cable was dry and dirty and dragging in it's housing. Periodic oiling is required for clutch and throttle cables. If not, they drag, fray and eventually break.

[yorkie_chris]

Don't pressure wash bikes!

You'll pressure wash all the water and crap straight into the chassis bearings.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by wideguy

If your clutch cable is clean and lubed with motor oil as it's supposed to be, what you will feel is the clutch springs trying to re-engage the clutch. You probably didn't feel this before because your cable was dry and dirty and dragging in it's housing. Periodic oiling is required for clutch and throttle cables. If not, they drag, fray and eventually break.

depends on the type of cable. if you oil a lined cable with motor oil you are just asking fro trouble. new modern cables are designed to run dry adding any lubricant apart from dry film spray will just cause it to cut the liner as it acts like cutting fluid. when they worn out they are burgred and need replacing as the liner will be cut to shreds. the older and cheep cables are metal on metal and yes you need to lube those.

Originally Posted by Bibio

depends on the type of cable. if you oil a lined cable with motor oil you are just asking fro trouble. new modern cables are designed to run dry adding any lubricant apart from dry film spray will just cause it to cut the liner as it acts like cutting fluid. when they worn out they are burgred and need replacing as the liner will be cut to shreds. the older and cheep cables are metal on metal and yes you need to lube those.

True, thanks for adding that point. Mako did say he picked up an OEM cable to replace his shagged (probably OEM) cable though. I suppose he should consult the maintenance manual. Are any of the OEM cables Teflon lined? Mine aren't.