I found a wet spot under the bike yesterday, and traced it to the clutch cable. Seems that the newly installed forward controls rubed the cable when upshifitng, and mostly all the oil leaked out.

How imterative is it that I get a new cable, or can I live with this for some time. I guess I can try and seal it up with some tape for now. I guess I'll have to go with a stainless braided cable...

more $$$$ and I ain't even got it registered... :frownthre

what's the matter, no one wants to talk to me anymore? :(
Or is this considered my stupid question #4? I've been on a roll lately, no stupid questions for a few months now. I should be entitled to atleast one a month... :o

Wrap it with tape for a while. That should be ok. My concern would be where the oil came from, as I don't believe there would be enough liquid lubricant in a clutch cable assembly to leave a puddle. Is the level in your chaincase a little too high? I have an Ironhead and the clutch cable enters the case differently but I think it's still above the oil level in the case. I would also route the cable away from the controls with some sort of cool chrome bracket thingy.

I haven't checked the primary lube. I was supposed to change the primary lube, but it got too cold to do so. As soon as it's warm enough to work on the bike...

So the clutch cable gets lubed from the primary oil? or how does that work exactly?? I was surprised to see so much oil on the floor myself. I was like "$hit! what's that now?" I had just changed the rocker gaskets and thought I may have screwed that up, but the cylinders are dry... Unless primary oil somehow got into the cable housing, and whatever was in there leaked out...I don't know...But it was a nice sized puddle. Maybe a capful of oil.

Yeah I suppose primary oil could get thrown into the cable housing and leak out of the cable if the plastic sheath is comprimised. And if the cable has a dip or low spot in it's routing for the oil to pool up. Cables come pre lubed with a dry graphite or similar stuff. They don't need constant oiling. Look in your manual to see if there is supposed to be something to keep primary lube OUT of the cable housing. Like a boot on the inside of the primary cover. You DO have a manual don't you? :smoke

Mine has the same problem .... I let it drip as its down to 1 drop per 2-3 day ... :rolleyes:
I already have a replacment clutch cable at home but just have not the energy to change it. ;)

You DO have a manual don't you? :smoke
you bet'chyour ass I do! :D

The cable does enter the primary at right about the level of the fluid. There is no seal and the fluid can enter and leave the lower portion of the cable at will. There is an o-ring on the cable where it screws into the primary and those have been know to leak on occation. Replacing the cable is really simple and cables are not that expensive. Running your trans out of fluid and locking it up is not cheap and not nearly as easy to fix or replace. You say that your forward controls rubbed through the cable???? Then replace the cable and re-route it so that it isn't rubbing the forward controls. The cable should be routed through a loom that is bolted to the frame under the controls. Make sure yours is routed that way.

It actually rubbed about 2 inches back from where the cable enters the primary cover. On upshifts, the shift linkage rod end and jam nut rubbed through the cable's black rubber covering. I'll probably look into making some sort of cable shield that can clamp on and off right above the shift linkage.