Clutch Cable

[lanovs]

I own an 82 GS 400L and just had the clutch cable snap on me. I was going to order one from Bike Bandit, but they don't list the bike. Are the parts on the 400L and 450L interchangeable? Is this true for all parts or only some parts? Is there somewhere else I should be looking for the correct schematic? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Steve]

Are you sure it's an '82 400? I thought those ended in '78 or '79, then there was one year of the 425, then several years of 450s. My son had an '81 450, but I don't know if that was the first year for them.

Now back to your question, go back in the years until you do find a 400L and get the cable for that. You might want to make sure it's for an L model, as they had different handlebars that might have used a slightly longer cable.

.

 

[Nessism]

Suzuki made a 400 engine with a four valve per cylinder head - sold in Canada and various other markets in the early 80's. Not sure if the crankcase and clutch is the same as the other 400/425/450 models. I'd spend a little time checking the schematics on-line and comparing it to your bike - if they hook up the same way most likely it will work fine.

Good luck.

 

[lanovs]

Thanks for the information. The bike is in fact a Canadian bike. I'll hit the schematics to see what I need.

 

[jadesystem]

That's the problem with clutches that use cables to engage/disengage
the drive motor. I would prefer the hydraulic clutch which uses the
same control principle as the brake system. You don't have cables
ever going out on you, and you always have that same smooth
tension and feel throughout the life of the bike.

I don't know why Suzuki did not use a hydraulic clutch system,
or use a 6-speed transmission at that time when Honda was using
these options. There must be a reason. Not sure if a cable system
has an advantage on the track, but I would prefer a hydraulic clutch system anytime for overall comfort, and smoother shifts during long
rides on GS rallies.

With a cable system, it degrade over time with 1000s of shifts in a
typical year. It frays, weakens under stress, and then, in your case, snaps leaving you stranded at home or on the road. I alway make it
a habit to bring with me a spare clutch cable on a long bike run in
case mine ever snaps. Not worth a breakdown with a spare $15 cable.

:-D\\/

 

[skreemer]

same thing for me... go go spare clutch cable in the tank bag...


ORDER A SPARE...

 

[lanovs]

Carrying an extra sounds like a good idea. I was lucky that I was in the garage when it happened. I'll be sure to order two of them.

 

[jadesystem]

The worse thing that can ever happen to you on a road trip that can
easily be prevented is having a spare clutch cable. I bring all hand tools
and troubleshooting test equipment and even a portable air compressor.
Chain lube, half can of oil, heat shrink tubing, solderless connectors,
crimpers, wires, plugs, throttle cable, metric nuts and bolts, "e" clips,
Permatex gasket sealer, butane soldering iron, solder, Reg/Rect,
dummy bulbs, headlite bulb, turn signal bulbs, ....etc....everything I
can bring to prevent me from having a breakdown.

And here is the real clincher - if I ever have a major breakdown where
I have to rent a hotel or stay for a few days to get this resolved, I
remove my license plate, dump the bike on the side of the road, hitchhike to the nearest city with an airport, and use my SWA RT voucher for
the next flight home. It is not worth it to pay a hotel for a few days,
food, living expenses, rental car, gas, etc..... No bike to me is worth
living costs far exceeding what the bike is worth !! These bikes are a
dime a dozen, and very cheap to own and to repair. I have many other
bikes that I won't miss it...no matter how rare it is !!

:-D\\/

 

[Junkie]

The worse thing that can ever happen to you on a road trip that can
easily be prevented is having a spare clutch cable. I bring all hand tools
and troubleshooting test equipment and even a portable air compressor.
Chain lube, half can of oil, heat shrink tubing, solderless connectors,
crimpers, wires, plugs, throttle cable, metric nuts and bolts, "e" clips,
Permatex gasket sealer, butane soldering iron, solder, Reg/Rect,
dummy bulbs, headlite bulb, turn signal bulbs, ....etc....everything I
can bring to prevent me from having a breakdown.

And here is the real clincher - if I ever have a major breakdown where
I have to rent a hotel or stay for a few days to get this resolved, I
remove my license plate, dump the bike on the side of the road, hitchhike to the nearest city with an airport, and use my SWA RT voucher for
the next flight home. It is not worth it to pay a hotel for a few days,
food, living expenses, rental car, gas, etc..... No bike to me is worth
living costs far exceeding what the bike is worth !! These bikes are a
dime a dozen, and very cheap to own and to repair. I have many other
bikes that I won't miss it...no matter how rare it is !!

:-D\\/

You should keep your pink slip with you, so that if you ever decide to do that you can sign it and leave it with the bike and a free sign.

 

[jadesystem]

I would abandon the bike right there !! And as mentioned, take the nearest flight home. I would take the plates, and remove any sign
that the bike belongs to me. Why do so ??

Because the towing company will search who the rightful owner is,
and they will send you a bill for the storage fees and towing charges mounting to 100s if not 1000s of $$$$ . And the state will also get in
on it for direct abandonement, and other vehicle code violations. I'll
just say it was stolen, and wash my hands on it.

Again, staying in hotels and supporting yourself being stranded for days
is not worth it to me of what the bike is worth. I would get the Hell out
of Dodge and salvage what is left of my adventure.

:-D\\/

 

[jadesystem]

That's a very good idea, but how may poeple will actually have their
pink slip (title) with them ?? I may just take your advice on this.

If you ever are on the Yosemite/Washoe Valley/Reno route in mid-July
during the Yosemite GS Rally, and you see an abandoned Suzuki 83 GS1100esd or an 85 GS1150ef or an 84 Yamaha FJ1100 on the side of
the road, you can have it !!

I would seriously just dump it if it is not feasible to repair it within
and beyond an 8 hour timeframe window.

:-D\\/

 

[Griffin]

That's a very good idea, but how may poeple will actually have their
pink slip (title) with them ?? I may just take your advice on this.

If you ever are on the Yosemite/Washoe Valley/Reno route in mid-July
during the Yosemite GS Rally, and you see an abandoned Suzuki 83 GS1100esd or an 85 GS1150ef or an 84 Yamaha FJ1100 on the side of
the road, you can have it !!

I would seriously just dump it if it is not feasible to repair it within
and beyond an 8 hour timeframe window.

:-D\\/

Dude, whenever you want to dump a bike off, let me know, even if you blow the engine.

I'll drive 20 hours one way to get any one of those in reasonably salvageable condition!

 

[Junkie]

I would abandon the bike right there !! And as mentioned, take the nearest flight home. I would take the plates, and remove any sign
that the bike belongs to me. Why do so ??

Because the towing company will search who the rightful owner is,
and they will send you a bill for the storage fees and towing charges mounting to 100s if not 1000s of $$$$ . And the state will also get in
on it for direct abandonement, and other vehicle code violations. I'll
just say it was stolen, and wash my hands on it.

Again, staying in hotels and supporting yourself being stranded for days
is not worth it to me of what the bike is worth. I would get the Hell out
of Dodge and salvage what is left of my adventure.

:-D\\/

I don't believe they'll try to track you down in CA at least, I know a friend of mine got a DUI and his car got impounded for 30 days. It wasn't worth the money to get it out of impound, so it was sold at auction and the tow company kept all the money (but didn't go after him for anything).

 

[Junkie]

That's a very good idea, but how may poeple will actually have their
pink slip (title) with them ?? I may just take your advice on this.

If you ever are on the Yosemite/Washoe Valley/Reno route in mid-July
during the Yosemite GS Rally, and you see an abandoned Suzuki 83 GS1100esd or an 85 GS1150ef or an 84 Yamaha FJ1100 on the side of
the road, you can have it !!

I would seriously just dump it if it is not feasible to repair it within
and beyond an 8 hour timeframe window.

:-D\\/

most people don't keep their title with them, but if that's your basic repair plan it might make sense to do so...

and an 1150? wow, that's a really nice bike to abandon.

 

[jadesystem]

OK, I'll let you guys know beforehand when I go on a long bike trip.
And I'll e-mail you guys the bike and location of where it is abandoned
so you can come and get it with a truck. Understand that if I am with
other GS brothers on a GS bike rally, they may want it too. But I can
tell you what truck do they have ?? They are on bikes wanting to
enjoy and complete this run. They don't have time for this nor a truck
to come and het it. Although I would ask them to give me a lift to the nearest airport.

I am very serious about this abandonement issue because when you calculate your time and expense, and what your opportunity costs are,
it makes perfect sense to me just to wash my hands on it right there and then.

:-D\\/


. as

am

 

[jadesystem]

The abandonment is a last-ditch effort. There are literally 1000s of bikes out there for near nothing. Craigslist is a motorcycle's dream website
with many great classic bikes within reach of everyone. With cheap
bikes for the taking, Yeah, I'll just buy another one that is far more
cost-effective than wasting your time and expense stranded on your
own time.

Hotels are $90+, 3 meals are $35/day, and rental car is $35/day
plus gas. Average $175/day x 3-days plus tow plus airfare plus
incidentals = more than I paid for the bike. Best to just walk away
if irrepairable within 8 hours.

It is very rare that I purchase any bike more than $1000. I get free
bikes, bikes for near nothing, and bikes that are just a free-for-all.

:-D\\/

 

[lanovs]

Am I doing something wrong? Nobody is giving me bikes for free or near free! Where do I sign up?

 

[jadesystem]

Ha...lol. It is all true. In fact, there are three (3) bikes for free which
are my ideal bikes to own. The infamous 84-86 Honda Nighthawk CB700SC.

One of the greatest bulletproof bikes of the 80s. These are all parts
bikes, but he wants to give them all to me for free. I don't have the
space anymore. I already have the 84 Nighthawk, and it is the best
bike I've ever owned.

All of my Suzuki GSs are all down, including a Yamaha FJ, but the Nighthawk keeps running and running like there was no tomorrow.
One of the best bikes ever, and truly remarkable engineering workhorse
of its time. Bikes today do not have the features of this bike that
sets everyone apart.

:-D\\/









and a Shadow.