Clutch cable routing?

[bruce_launceston]

I put a new clutch cable on my R65LS last September and today noticed that the fins on the side of the engine have melted/worn through to the metal of the cable. I am reasonably sure it is routed the way it always has been but would like to check. At the moment it crosses behind the frame tube BELOW the frame cross member near the horn before tucking in on top of the frame below the barrel. If I try it above the cross member it seems to kink too sharply. Does the cable allways sit tight between the frame downtube and the engine?
If it should be above the cross member then I might have to swing the horn more centrally between the downtubes to ease the bend.

Cheers Bruce

[Bob_Roller]

Do you happen to still have the receipt for the clutch cable, there are 3 or so different lengths of clutch cables available .

I'm at work this morning, and just went out to check the routing of my clutch cable.

Mine comes over the head light area, goes down the steering head on the right side, then follows the right down tube .

I don't have a standard installation, I've got an oil-cooler and cover, and there is a rubber grommet-ed stand-off on the oil cooler, and a set of cylinder guards.

Best I can remember, is that the clutch cable was originally ty-wrapped to the down tube, up until a few inches or so from the metal support that the outer sheath rests against.

[bruce_launceston]

Thanks Bob for for having a look for me. I do have the right length cable. I guess to be more specific the question is should the cable go over or under the frame cross member near the horn?
I searched heaps of R series photos on Google last night and apart from a few bikes that had their clutch cables floating in mid air they seem to be cable tied to the back of the downtube as mine was.
I think my mistake was not sliding the extra protective sheath up high enough to where the cable rests against the crankcase.
If anyone has their original cluth cable and could have a look at their bike for me I would still appreciate confirmation of above or below the crossmember.

Cheers Bruce

[nhmaf]

I've replaced my clutch cable on my LS, but I routed it the same way as the previous one was - had to get a shorter cable because I went from US (high) bars to Euro (low) bars.   I will post pics tomorrow (Monday).

[nhmaf]

OK, here are the pics of my clutch cable routing.
Up near the top frame cross tube - it is the black cable in the middle of the pic coming down from the steering head and going behind the cross tube:



The cable is secured to the downtube along the 'top' inside:


And then a straight shot back to the engine casing boss:


This is how the OEM cable was routed on my bike when I bought it from the PO.   I removed the tall USA bars and put on low euro bars, and had to get a shorter OEM cable in the process.  IT is routed the exact same way and works well with no binding.

[bruce_launceston]

Thanks for the pix, I have changed my cable routing to the same as yours, had to move the horn slightly and it is much better. The cable doesn't get forced tight against the crankcase.

Cheers Bruce

[Justin B.]

Another bike in need of a freshairectomy...  

[nhmaf]

If I end up pulling the airbox off too many more times I will do it - for quite a while I wanted to keep the bike as "stock" as possible, but that is less of a concern now as I keep adding little bits here and there that aren't.   I kinda like the snappy, crackling backfire sounds it makes when I run it up to 6grand and chop the throttle, though. - its the only time that I can compete with the H-D riders around here for volume of exhaust noise..