| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
OK, my crutch cable is reeking... It's coming from the clutch end, where the black plastic sheath goes into the metal end-crimp. The outside of the metal is clean, so I know it's not the crimp-to-primary-cover o-ring seal leaking. I have already sprayed it clean with brakleen, dried it with a dryer, and filled it with UltraBlack RTV. No dice, still leaking. In all reality, after 20k miles, I can't bitch about a little leak... Does anyone have any PROVEN methods to stop this leak? I'm thinking of pulling the cable, cleaning/RTVing it again, and wrapping the whole thing in some heat shrink tubing...thoughts? I hate to use up my new clutch cable just to fix a drippy tip...but I don't think penicillin will fix it either  | ||
| Froggy |
Convert to hydraulic? But you need to get rid of those Dunflops first. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm sorry...who was in front when we entered the Dragon in October? And who...I wonder...with his "Dunflops"...was in front when we EXITED the Dragon?  That said...I don't really like hydraulic clutches that much. Too vague for my tastes...and too damn spendy for me right now.  | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I'm no expert tech but I think it's a 20 cent o ring. And quit spraying it with brakeklean. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest a heavy coat of road grime and to forget it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
If this is your original 2006 clutch cable, the factory came out with an improved part (maybe about mid-2007) that seems to cure the problem. I had mine replaced at about 5000 miles and it hasn't leaked since (~28,000 miles showing). If you replace your own cable, just be aware the threaded fitting is aluminum and will wring off VERY easily. Short of that, at least one Badwebber used electrical tape. Not the standard type, but the kind that chemically bonds to itself. (Message edited by Hughlysses on February 07, 2011) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yep original cable. The O-ring seals the metal cable end to the primary case, not the metal end to the plastic cable. I have an updated cable, I guess I could swap 'em out and keep this one as my roadside spare....the leak would be a good post-trip reminder that "hey dummy, you used your spare"!! And believe me, there's plenty of road grime on the bike. And that's the problem - this fluid leak is actually washing some of it OFF! | ||
| Teeps |
On a cable not violated with RTV clean with brake clean, lacquer thinner or acetone. Then apply a drop of super glue between the cable housing and the metal ferrule. Done. or Just clean it off when it bothers you. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Replace that old '06 cable with a newer one with the better crimp, keep the leaker as a spare. | ||
| Maximum |
I had this issue on my '06 Uly...tried replacing the cable but was still leaking...tried the black rtv like you and still leaked. I know that you said that it is not the O-ring...but after applying some plumbers putty to the threads in addition to the standard o-ring it has not leaked! I don't know why it worked...but decided just to leave it alone and be happy! | ||
| Tootal |
Do yourself a favor and put the new one on. The new ones have a plastic coating on the cable itself and is easier to pull in. Fix the leak and give your fingers a break at the same time! I changed mine and I don't think I had to drain the oil. It's been a while but I think I just lifted it with my bike lift so it was not leaning and I swapped it out with out draining and by only opening the clutch cover. I could be wrong, it has been a while... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well, I'm coming up on service-tine...probably swap it then and keep the used one as the spare. But I'll put heat-shrink on the new one first, LOL | ||
| Hughlysses |
Good idea about the heat shrink and easy enough to do with the cable off. You could fix your old spare while it's off too, although that would eliminate your tell-tale "change the clutch cable!" reminder if you ever have to do a road-side change. | ||
| Etennuly |
It must have been a pretty noticeable leak to show up on your frequently washed bike. I'm guessing that it made itself know by making a "clean" spot where it leaked!  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Hey, Vern? ....(post edited/deleted - this is a family site. use your imagination!)...  | ||
| Etennuly |
  Ha Ha Ha! | ||
| Crusty |
Do you mean something like this?  My brother just sent me that picture, and I was just looking for an excuse to use it. (Message edited by Crusty on February 09, 2011) | ||
| Uly_man |
Um thats a pain Ratbuell. Mine only has the "dirty smug" at the moment so just a wipe off every now and then works fine. There is not much that will seal this sort of thing very well - its a build/design fault in the cable itself. Maybe clean off the oil, use some Silicon sealer and then cover with heat shrink tubing. Or maybe pinch up the crimped end with a industrial electrical crimping tool. Good luck Dude. | ||
| Skinstains |
Rivera 3" open primary ! No more leak. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yeah, but...I like to *ride* my motorcycle | ||
| Skinstains |
I was only makin' a funny. I have no real advice for you as all of my stuff leaks and I just ignore it hoping it will someday go away. Without running out of course. |
