| Author | Message | ||
     Chris_socal |
FYI- if you have an 08 check the clutch cable guide / clamp just below the frame in the front of the bike. It is a curly wire and will break on the bottom side. Mine broke at about 800 miles and again at about 1500. My brother's broke around the same mileage. If (I should say when) it breaks the cable will contact the exhaust and melt. After the second time it happened I corrected the problem myself by putting a large C clamp in its place. I was on a road trip and found the nearest Harley Dealer. The next day my brothers broke. BTW- Thank you to the fine young lady that helped me at the Las Vegas service shop. And to the guy in AZ that helped my brother. John what dealer was that? They sold Harleys and every other bike except Buell. I think we were on our way to the Grand Canyon at that point. I spoke to the Buell tech and he said it is best to leave my fix in place since it looks like the wire guide clamp domulflaberthingy (that is the official name I have given this part) will inevitably break again. -Chris | ||
| Froggy |
Some people are cursed and break it often, but most will never have an issue. 17K on mine, never broke it | ||
| Maximum |
I have broke 4 in 22,000 miles on my 2006. The first one broke while I was doing some pretty bumpy off road stuff, but the last three happened during normal street riding. But that was the last one that will be breaking on my bike. A 5/8" pipe clamp, a plastic spacer, and a longer bolt took care of that issue!    | ||
| Xbimmer |
Maximum, that looks like the ticket! No binding of the cable at that point? The nice thing about the stock wireform is it allows some restricted movement of the cable, too bad it doesn't last. I gave up last year after three broke and zip-tied the cable to the isolator bracket. Last week I replaced the clutch cable and tried one last wireform, sandwiched between rubber washers and s/s fender washers and zip-ties for backup. If/when it breaks again I'm trying your method. | ||
| Bobsims |
+1 on Maximum's repair, I've done something very similar. I intended for it to be temporary, but it works so well that I'll leave it permanent. Those rubber-lined cushion clamps are available from auto parts stores, and I think West Marine has stainless versions. Instead of a plastic spacer, I used a 1/2" section of 1/4" rubber fuel line over the bolt, between the clamp and the engine (as per Max's picture above). I think it helps to further dampen vibration. Works great, so far. HTH. Bob | ||
| Arcticktm |
This is not an '08 issue, it has existed since day one ('06). I have had 2 of the wireform's break within the first 9,000 miles on my '06(the 2nd one last only a few hundred miles, the 3rd one has lasted about 500 miles so far). Thanks for reminding me to add this to my list of winter re-engineering projects! (Message edited by arcticktm on January 14, 2008) | ||
| Chris_socal |
Well, then WTF Buell? All of this innovation and engineering and you can't come up with something simple to fix this issue? This is kinda irritating. Especially if it is something that has been around since 06. I guess it is not that important they fix the problem but surely it has to be costing them in warranty repair. I had to have the cable and the clamp replaced on mine. Does anyone have an estimate on the cost of that with parts and labor? Surely it is cheaper to write off the cost of that part and start replacing it so you are not have to replace perfectly good melted clutch cables. -Chris | ||
| Cpilot |
Thanks to you, I went out and looked at my '08. Sure enough it was broken and the boot was starting to melt on the exhaust pipe. Only 1,400 miles. So it is off to the hardware store for a clamp and stand-off. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
A friend has had the wire guide break twice in 1500 miles on her '08. I slightly rotated the lower clamp on my new '08 so that the clutch cable is not actually pressing on the wire guide. While this would keep the cable away from the exhaust, I like the p-clamp and standoff idea even better. Mark in Arizona | ||
| Chris_socal |
Cpilot, If you take the bike in the dealer will replace the clutch cable for you. Once they do that and you implement Maximum's fix you will be good to go. Mine does not look as elegant as his but it is doing the same thing. -Chris | ||
| Jammin_joules |
Wow, glad I found this link/was directed to it... Trip to Moab, UT in March, 125 miles since a paved road, and I'd be the one to just discover this problem there for the first time. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I've got about 11,000 miles on mine and it is still unbroken. Just lucky so far. | ||
| Karlsbad |
Broke 2 in 2300 miles my fix was similar to Maximums Love the bike Snowing here now no riding for a bit But Oh the anticipation |
