Electra clutch cable broken AGAIN
Only done nearly 800 miles since the last one broke on my Electra. Both have broken at the handlebar end, just at the nipple. The wires in the cable were damaged close to the nipple. I looked for chafing spots and decided to remove 1/4" from the adjuster at the lever. Operating the lever doesn't show anywhere that the cable could be rubbing on the lever. Any other ideas/ solutions? I bought a spare from HItchcocks last time as well as the replacement. Thoughtful me. 73 de dave G7NCB from the Isle of Axholme

Hi Dave, check that the nipple in the lever end rotates freely and does not feel stiff, as this would cause the cable to flex and fracture at that end. If it was the gearbox end their is a mod to alter the run of the cable to the clutch fork. Jim

Electra clutch cable.
TNX, Jim. Got the Watsonian mod, but it's the lever end. I took off the mod as it was causing damage to the nipple in the gearbox. The lever nipple is free and the cable is routed smoothly. The wires of the cable have frayed right up to the nipple. That's why I looked for chafing. Didn't see any but took 1/4" off the lever adjuster anyway. Lots of freedom now. A bloke on the Hitchcocks site recommends the cheapy Indian cable :- "I was plagued with exactly this problem of breaking clutch cables after I converted ny Bullet to the 5-speed gearbox (using Hitchcock's excellent right-side-change kit). The eventual solution was simple: fit the basic (= cheap & nasty) Indian clutch cable that comes with a black plastic sleeve on the lever-end nipple. It turns in the lever aperture, instead of sticking and bending the cable to & fro until it snaps. REgards, Martin Churchill " Do you happen to know what he means, please? The replacement and the last cable have a screw-in metal adjuster. 73 de dave G7NCB from the Isle of Axholme

Clutch cable
Hi Dave, I think i Know what Martin ment, the nipple at the lever end on the replacment cable has a plastic cover,and this helps the nipple to swival in its socet.Hope this helps and please exscuse my spelling. Cheers Newy.

Electra X Clutch Cable.
TNX, Newy. I've ordered 2 INDIAN cables as recommended by the bloke on the Hitchcocks site. The lever nipple on mine is cylindrical and fits in a cylindrical slot in the lever. If the lever nipple were round, I could visualise it turning, but I can't see how a cylindrical one turns. Oh well. I'll see when the new ones arrive tomorrow. I'll carry the spare with me this time and make sure I've got the special key to remove the 2 cover screws and the 18mm spanner to get off the 18mm cover so I can get the cable into the gearbox and the clutch adjusted. My old CZ was excellent for carrying bits. A lock held the seat down and just removing 1 lock allowed the whole seat to come off very easily and lots of bits could be stored safely. The Electra X needs several bolts taking out and, even then, it's not easy to remove and replace. I still find the gearbox difficult when the engine's hot. I reckon I'll have to fit my extra gearbox cover gasket to give the box some end float space. It's difficult to select neutral with a hot engine. When you mentioned spelling, Newy, I read through this email and found lots of 'em. Hope I found 'em all :-))

Indian Clutch cables
The Indian clutch cables came today. I see how there's a plastic swivel. BUT, there's a curved tube attached to the lever end. The last 3 have been straight fittings with a screw adjuster. I'll ring Hitchcocks tomorrow to check, but these will not go through the hole in the nacelle. It looks like they have to go down and under the tank. If they're the correct ones, I'll present one on the bike to check that they're the correct length and work OK.

Clutch cable AGAIN!!
I've got about 2000 miles out of the UK replacement I got from Hitchcocks and that went about an hour ago, at the same place near the nipple at the handlebar end. I'm getting fed up. I'm sure the nipple is free in its slot and the cable isn't chafing any where I can see. I got back after Hitchcocks had closed :-(( Any way, I'd placed an order at about 5.30 (spending my birthday money) so I've emailed them to send me another. This is the 3rd cable in the last 3000 miles, thought he last one lasted longest.

I DID have a spare clutch cable and I fitted it this afternoon. I've checked that the nipple is free in the handlebar lever slot, smoothed of the slightly shorter cable adjuster, polished then greased all surfaces. The only thing I found is that the lever can move up and down as the locating bolt hole in the lever isn't round anymore. The blot is steel and the lever is alloy so the hole's worn. It could have done with a steel sleeve. I've been for a short ride and I'll have to go through the clutch adjustment sequence again as I couldn't engage neutral when I got back. Strange how so very easy it is after the engine is 'killed'! Thie time, the nipple remained in its slot. The entry hole is cle n and smooth, though the cable end has 'stranded'. I wonder whether the cables haven't been swaged (is that the right word for spreading out the wires?) before soldering and the cable has gradually pulled out. I'll have to get my gas burner out , get the solder out and refit the nipple myself (as if I'm the expert!?!?) Or, should I try and get a screw on nipple then bang some solder into that? Are screw on nipples still made?