R90/6 clutch cable

[jagarra]

I was going for a ride this morning, got about a block from house when clutch felt funny, didn't want to return. Turned around and went back, cable coming apart by head of lever. Good timing, broke near the house than 20 miles away.
Started checking the OEM sources for a replacement, seems they only carry cables for the high US bars and not the Euro bars. A bit miffed, checked cables for the S model, same story only short (55") cable listed was 1410mm long for each bike.
Any cables for a different model work a bit better??????

I have an after market one to keep me going, just wanted to use an OEM model thinking it may be better quality.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Measure your old one...look across all models until you find one of the same size...should work fine. I have R80RT throttle cables on my R100/7.

Kurt in S.A.

[Duane Ausherman]

A rider should always have those as a spare. It also should be mounted in place so that it only needs to be attached at each end.

Some preferred to roll it up and store it in the headlight shell.

[SteveD]

Max BMW fiche shows two lengths are available @ 1436 & 1410mm. The RS cable is also 1410mm.

It's a handy ploy to have the spare adjacent to the cable in use. Even a second hand cable will get you out of trouble. It's also worthwhile having a spare cable nipple holder, 'cause if you drop one in the dark by the side of the road....

Keeping the nipple free and well lubed in it's nipple holder is one key to cable longevity. Not to say yours wasn't and wasn't 15 years old! It's worth mentioning however.

[jagarra]

I must admit that the cable was the one that came on the bike when I bought it a couple years ago. No telling how old it was. Good advise on buying a spare barrel, I have broken cables on other makes only to lose an important piece like a grommet that is on the end of the lever.
This clutch cable and OEM descriptions leaves something to be desired as far as clarity. When checking the Huckey site he lists the cable as part number 32 73 2 324 958 as the cable for the Euro bars. He lists the length as 139 cm. A&S cycle and Capitol cycle list the same cable as for the taller US bars in their descriptions. They have 1410mm as their length.
The shortest cable I have found so far is on the 75/5 coming in at 1345mm. The /6 version is the 4958 number.
I guess I will pull the offending part off the bike today and install my spare. Order an OEM and install that when I receive it.
Now to figure out a good place to store the spare. I don't like the idea of the headlamp housing, Maybe curled up and velcroed to the inside of a side cover. I do have rucksacks on the bike as saddlebags, full of eyeglasses on one side, bungee cords on the other.

[SteveD]

Now to figure out a good place to store the spare. I don't like the idea of the headlamp housing, Maybe curled up and velcroed to the inside of a side cover. I do have rucksacks on the bike as saddlebags, full of eyeglasses on one side, bungee cords on the other.

My spare has it's ends wrapped and it lays in position, adjacent to the cable in use. If I need to use it, I don't need to remove or install anything except the appropriate cable ends. It's hardly noticeable.

[loowiloowi]

The last cable I broke I had a new end put on at a cable making shop. If you look for shops that make custom "push-pull" cables you can get a spare for quite cheap.... I think it cost me 12.00 for mine.... These shops make cables for industry, boats, hot rods, tractors and ag implements.

[bbelk]

I put one of these on my R90/6 - it made a huge difference. No more busted clutch cables, and no more cramps in my hand when I get stuck in traffic.



It has been eight years and 9 back tires ago (airhead odometer) and it seems to be holding up just fine.

"Easy Clutch"
for BMW /2, /5, /6 and /7 Motorcycles
Craig Vechorik at Bench Mark Works LLC

[khittner1]

I guess I've had just dumb luck with the clutch and throttle cables on my airheads; I've never had a broken cable on any of them. When the clutch cable starts feeling graunchy, it gets replaced---I've replaced one in the past 15 years. Dab a bit of grease on both cable ends. If/when the throttle cable sheaths bend/kink/rust, they get replaced--also one set in 15 years. I might take a more proactive/prepared approach if I was going out to Ayres' Rock on a regular basis, but, otherwise . . .