Author Topic: Clutch cables  (Read 664 times)

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Offline geminimotors

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Clutch cables
« on: March 30, 2011, 07:40:16 AM »
Can anyone tell me if cb500 and cb550 use the same clutch cable? I know the mechanism is different, but the cable?

Offline mjstone

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Re: Clutch cables
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2011, 08:05:20 AM »
It is my understanding that the 550 clutch cable is longer as it has to run to the other side of the bike.  The clutch activation on the 550 is allot different then the 500, one of the improvements made to the 550s transmission.  The 500 uses a push rod that passes threw the transmission from the left side to the right side of the bike.  This push rod is a weakness in the 500 design.  Mine is broken, but I haven't been able to get the clutch cover off to replace it. >:(

MJ
1972 CB500Four (Honda)
1973 CB500Four (Oliver)

Offline geminimotors

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Re: Clutch cables
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2011, 06:20:06 PM »
Sooo... The cables are similar enough to work as they should.  The 550 cable is indeed a bit longer and will work on a 500 with lower bars. I'm glad I decided to look into it- I found the wee bit of linkage the cable attaches to was broken on one side. Glad I found out in the yard instead of way out in BFE.

Offline mjstone

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Re: Clutch cables
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2011, 06:34:22 PM »
Lower bars?  As in lower than stock?  I would think that might be a shorter run than stock.  To long a cable may be problematic.  You might end up with kinks trying to route a to long cable.  How well did your old cable fit before it broke?

MJ
1972 CB500Four (Honda)
1973 CB500Four (Oliver)