SF1 clutch cable length

O

olly

Senior member
Just about to order up a new clutch cable from Venhill.
They don't seem to state the lengths on their site.
I've measured the old one as having a 119cm outer and 133cm between the two contact points on the inner (so not including the rest of the nipple) I guess it's a smidge less as the contact point in the bar end is really the drum the nipple sits it but we're talking a mm.

The one I'm replacing looks to be home made so I'm hoping someone knows the standard length please and /or what the ideal length is to smooth out the bends as much as possible.  This is with a standard length arm, I won't be cutting a slot in the case.

Thanks Olly
 
Olly, I got the longer version last year and it gives a good reversed S shape but that is on mine and doesnt bear any relation to a standard one - I also replaces the handlebar gubbins as any slop here will only make matters worse.
 
Here's a picture of the cable I've taken off, you can see the filed down home-made end

2013-01-13181231_zpsa069888b.jpg


I wrote to Venhill and received the following (abridged) reply:

"The details for the L02-3-100/101 is listed below

Handlebar lever end ?
BARREL NIPPLE 3/8in O.D. x 1/2in fitted loose over a trumpet nipple which is cast to the wire.

Clutch / crankcase end ?
BRASS DRUM NIPPLE 6mm x 8mm soldered

Length of outer conduit cut (add approx. 10mm for ferrules at both ends and not including the adjuster stem)
L02-3-100 = 1175mm (46 1/4")
L02-3-101 = 1251mm (49 1/4")

Adjuster is M8 x 1mm, is 42mm long with 1 L/nut and there is a rubber boot for protection.

Clearance - measured from underside of the fully tightened L/nut to the start of the drum nipple 124mm (4 7/8") both cables same clearance"

........so looks I've got a choice of 15mm shorter or 61mm longer.

I think the longer one's probably the best bet....what do you reckon?

Ah........hang on a second, the nipple on the clutch end will be wrong!! It looks like something similar to the trumpet nipple on the handlebar end is what's needed but without the barrel. The filed down end I've got now looks suspiciously like a "BRASS DRUM NIPPLE 6mm x 8mm soldered"...hmmmm
 
I think you will find that Laverda fitted 2 different type of clip that the nipple fits into at the engine end of the cable - you most likely have the earlier style which is why you need the thinner or filed down nipple. May be best to get a later clip so the more commonly available cables fit easily.  
Length of cable will depend on what style of handlebars are fitted and sometimes which instruments  - best to try your old cable to see if you are happy with how it routes ('flows') from the lever to the casing and then compare its length to what is available. Generally it is easier to lose extra length with a long flowing  S routing as mentioned by John B earlier, than it is to get a short cable to run smoothly without tight bends.
 
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