Where can i buy a clutch cable?

jsalman93

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I've got a 2006 Fz6 and am wondering where I can find a new clutch cable. I've checked Cycle Gear, parts411.com, and various other websites. I've never changed a clutch cable (as one has never gone out on me), but my cable is way too stiff and stretched out. I'm not really liking the idea of going to a dealership because i feel like they will overcharge me through the roof, but i dont know where to look.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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Babbits is pretty good: Arctic Cat, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, Yamaha Parts Dealer Muskegon, MI

as is Bike Bandit: Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories by BikeBandit.com

It'll give you an idea of the price however shipping may make it cheaper to go to your local guy... IMHO, I'd stick with an OEM cable..

Be prepared to pull your air filter plastic assembly, the middle of the cable is attached to the frame in the middle with a plastic retainer. Kind of a PIA.

I removed that mid cable holder, no problems with it gone and I can now pull the cable out fully without touching the tank, air box, etc.. (Been off about two years now.)

I suspect it was easier Yamaha when assembling the bike to have the retainer there..


BTW, there is a mid cable adjuster (by the retainer clip) where you can adjust out another 1/2" or so of inner cable use. Lubing the cable, unless its frayed, should make it like new.
 
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chunkygoat

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+1 on bike bandit


I just bought new sprockets from bike bandit. If you go on google and type in "Bike Bandit Promo Codes" - you can get 20% off or free shipping - or discounts of OEM parts.

+ they are doing a promo that knocked 15$ off my order as is. All in all I think I paid 71$ for a rear sprocket, front sprocket, and shifter lever cover. The local dealer wanted to charge 121$ for both sprockets + a 1 week wait for them to order it. They also wanted to charge me 27$ for the lever cover where bike bandit charged $3.87 for it.

They have a real cool setup at BB and prices are decent - 5 days it took from California to Pennsylvania.

Bike bandit has my recommendation for sure.
 

jsalman93

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Thanks for all of the advice. Honestly, i had never even thought of babbits, mainly because i thought they only sold major parts of the bike and not so much accessories. It turns out they even sell clutch plates too.
I had no idea about the middle adjusting section, that explains why i was staring at the end of the cable wondering where it was. I'll try lubing the whole thing today and let you know how it goes. would it be okay to use WD-40 on the cable, it's oem and ive heard that you can't use WD-40 on anything with teflon in it, but i'm pretty sure that the cable is just steel.
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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Thanks for all of the advice. Honestly, i had never even thought of babbits, mainly because i thought they only sold major parts of the bike and not so much accessories. It turns out they even sell clutch plates too.
I had no idea about the middle adjusting section, that explains why i was staring at the end of the cable wondering where it was. I'll try lubing the whole thing today and let you know how it goes. would it be okay to use WD-40 on the cable, it's oem and ive heard that you can't use WD-40 on anything with teflon in it, but i'm pretty sure that the cable is just steel.

Yes, Babbits sells OEM stuff.

And as stated earlier, you'll get about 1/2" more cable after you adjust that mid cable adjuster out...

IMHO, I would NOT use WD40 on the cable, maybe to blow crap out but not as a final lubricant... I use a pressure tool that pressurizes the cable. I have cable lube but found chain lube with graphite seems to be working very well and lasting longer than cable lube.

The manual calls for regular motor oil as a lubricant or cable specific lube. You can either squirt some down the sheath and keep moving it in and out or tape a small funnel around the top of the cable, fill it with oil and let it run thru overnight.

To adjust the mid cable adjuster, your going to have to remove the air box to get to it. There is a plastic retainer that attaches it to the left frame. I removed that plastic retainer years ago and have much easier access to that adjuster/pulling the cable etc without removing anything...

BTW, place a piece of paper towel under the clutch cable where it curves at the bottom as oil WILL COME OUT and make a mess for awhile. The PT will catch any extra. I thought I had an oil leak until I figured that trick out. You can ride with that PT in there, it doesn't get hot enough to ignite, I've ridden for days with it in there...
 
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jsalman93

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Alright that's really helpful. I'll check the ingredients for my chain lube and see if that would be useful, mainly because it comes with one of those straws that would make it a bit easier. If it doesnt have any graphite in it then I'll use some engine oil.

I'll get to the middle adjuster tomorrow and let you know how it goes, ill try to post pics too.

thanks again, sorry for the noob questions but i haven't gone over the whole service manual yet and this bike's maintenance is still a bit new to me. Very different from the shadow that I had before, things are a lot more tucked away on the fz6. Love the bike though
 

Gelvatron

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Look up clutch lube there is a guy on the forum for 10 $ sells three syringes with a head that has the straw built in to lube throttle and clutch cables just did it this weekend clutch feels half as light and twice as smooth a few days later
 

VEGASRIDER

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Stick with the OEM, at least you're assured that it will fit and be the correct length. It's not worth the risk trying to save $10-15 bucks. I replaced mine after 70k.
 

jsalman93

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Yeah i just undid the fastener today and realized that i could have just used a needlenose to push the retainer up instead of going through the whole airbox. Lubed the cable and everything seems good, still pretty stretched out but i think it'll be good for another 30k miles or so, ill keep a spare under the seat just in case ;).
 

TownsendsFJR1300

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Yeah i just undid the fastener today and realized that i could have just used a needlenose to push the retainer up instead of going through the whole airbox. Lubed the cable and everything seems good, still pretty stretched out but i think it'll be good for another 30k miles or so, ill keep a spare under the seat just in case ;).

I didn't think you could reach the retainer from underneath or I would have mentioned it. They may have moved it from the 06 to the 07 model (doubt it) but I'll remember that for the future.

Did you have to adjust the mid cable adjuster most of the way out?
 

jsalman93

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No the manual didn't mentio it, but if you spend a bit of time with a needlenose you can pop it out without having to even take the tank off. No biggie though, because i got a change to check out my air filter and become a bit more aquainted with my bike.

Yeah, i had to adjust it most of the way out, but now my top adjuster doesn't have to be all the way out. It'll probably last this way for a while. Lubing the cable definitely helped though
 
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