HELP-Stuck in Covington, VA- frayed V7II clutch cable

[Dirk_S]

Nearing the end of the MABDR and stopped into Covington, VA for the night. At the gas station I noticed that my clutch cable is frayed, down to one strand. Anyone near Covington who could help? Was so close to finishing the MABDR with the sidecar (route ends in Damascus, VA).  If nothing else, I’ll just have to wait until Monday to take the bike to a UHaul and bring it back to PA where I’m having a new one sent.

717-524-9096

[Tom H]

Can't directly help you. But a vice grips can grab the inner cable and help you get to a place to replace the cable. Not the easiest thing to do, but doable.

Tom

[RinkRat II]

 Any bicycle shops around?  Walmart sometimes sells brake and derailleur cables.

   Paul B

[Dirk_S]

No bike shops and the only motorcycle shop nearby is primarily Harley. I may have to attempt the vise grip idea. I’ve seen it before as a temporary fix. We’ll see!

[blackcat]

Don’t know if this will work on a small block but the clutch cable on my CX broke while on a trip to the beaches on Long Island. I had one of those screw drivers that can be flipped with with straight or Philips head attachments and the large barrel of the screw driver fit into cradle of the clutch arm on the back of the transmission. I zipped tied the screw driver to the frame and I could depress the screw driver with my foot and made it back to Manhattan on the Long Island expressway which is not a fun road under normal circumstances. I always keep an extra clutch cable on the bikes after that adventure.

[twowheeladdict]

Sorry to hear about your frayed clutch cable.  Did you try getting one overnighted to your current location?


When I used to ride out in the wilderness it was common practice to zip tie a spare clutch cable to the primary clutch cable.  If it breaks, it is easy to swap them out and continue on.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've reposted your message on ADV Rider in the "Anybody have a Moto Guzzi V7?" topic.

[guzzisteve]

If you belong to MGNOC call someone on the contact list.

[Dirk_S]

Thanks everyone for the tips and assistance. Someone on the V7 Owners Facebook page is driving 3 hours down from Fairfax to hook me up with his Stornello cable (same cable as my Stone). What a stinkin’ sweetheart.

I tried and tried attaching the vice grips to the lever and positioning, everything, but just couldn’t make it work and ran out of duct tape. I bet I could’ve gotten it right maybe with one more roll and time, but I wanted to make sure I took advantage of his offer to drive down while it was early enough. Grinds my gears that I couldn’t MacGyver it.

I actually did bring a spare—this was it. First cable broke in Vermont on the way to the MABDR route. This spare was my original clutch cable with 25k miles. Don’t know if it was old and itching to go, but I suspect it failed because I haven’t lubricated the pivot points recently. Maybe there’s a burr, too. Well, I have the time to inspect more while I wait patiently.

Oh, and I have pics and vids to share. Didn’t get to complete the MABDR, but I got close, and it was worth it.

If you belong to MGNOC call someone on the contact list.

I don’t, but now I know why I should!

[Tom H]

You were trying to think of an innovative way to use the vice grips. Good thought...But.... When the cable is broken, just clamp the vice grips to the end of the inner cable. Then you pull on the vice grips to work the clutch. Also, get the cable routed so that it's in a position that is easy to pull on and also set the grips somewhere other than on your gas tank.

Glad your getting sorted!!
Tom

[Dirk_S]

And we’re back in business with great thanks to fellow WG forum member Storny. He drove 3 hours south to donate his Stornello cable so I can get home.

[Cam3512]

3 hours one way to bring you a clutch cable.  Who does that?

Guzzi.

[Pescatore]

I hope Storny is a MGNOC member.
Great ending.

[Sykestone8886]

Now that’s what I call a team player, that’s awesome!!!

[bad Chad]

I hope Storny is a MGNOC member.
Great ending.

Why?  Sure was great of him to deliver the cable, but does he get a reward if he’s in mgnoc?

[Pescatore]

I was referring to the contract list mentioned.
Perhaps I will be stranded some day and might go through that list myself.

[Muzz]

Good to hear you got sorted.

One of the very few spares I carry on a trip (as well as the mandatory zip ties and duct tape) is a clutch cable. Having broken one close to home once and making it back without one.....enough said.

[Stretch]

Someone on the V7 Owners Facebook page is driving 3 hours down from Fairfax

Someone is a freakin' hero.......

                                                       -Stretch

[mechanicsavant]

Ah yes , I remember my old enduro days . We always routed 2 cables together, clutch , throttle & brake . If one failed a new one was already in place . Having recently replaced the clutch cable on my V7II I can attest there ain’t enough room for 2 cables . Pity.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Hate I missed this but:

In the future get a bicycle (mountainbike) BRAKE cable (a shifter cable or a roadbike version won't work). Can get it at any bike shop and probably walmart


Discard the housing if it was included, just use the inner wire inserted in your bike's cable housing

Then you can get an 'adjustable cable lock' like such from Ace hardware or Autozone



The fixed end on the brake cable should fit or nearly fit your clutch lever, feed it thru the housing and then attach the cable stop as needed in the clutch arm cradle



It ain't perfect but should get you home