Forum

[Graham43]

Hi
I note in the latest catalogue that there is a '5 speed improved clutch release kit' page 60 90146. Has anyone had experience of this kit? I note recently my Electra clutch cable has the inner cable strands normally twisted together has become 'unwound/opened' ready to break I assume as it enters the gear box. Is this kit worth the money?

[Frank]

The early 5 speed gearboxes / Electra X set up was prone to the clutch cable snapping at the gearbox end at the nipple where it ataches to the actuating arm. Mine did after 7000 miles leaving me stranded, although luckily I had a spare cable which I managed to lash up to get me home. After that I fitted the modified cover and cable as described. It was fitted as standard to the later Electra X and can be identified by the metal tubed bend in the cable where it enters the gearbox cover as opposed to the original cable which screwed straight in. The actuating arm is also modified by having a pivot where the nipple attaches allowing the cable to pull in line rather than bend as the arm rotates. This therefore must lessen the strain. The entry hole in the cover is also supposed to have been drilled a few degrees different from the original to again reduce the strain but visually I could see no difference. Time will tell if it performs better in respect to cable life but it has provided a bit of peace of mind!

[Graham43]

Thank you Frank. You make a number of very good points. I have read other users having snapped cable problems, and as I wrote, mine has become misshaped. Perhaps I will get one as a late Christmas present for me. Thanks again.

[Dennis O]

Hello Graham, I agree with Frank about the clutch cable problems on some of the early Electra bikes. As I was going on holiday with the bike I ordered a new clutch cable from my local dealer. It arrived together with a new cam operated unit with the swivel attachment. This new cable has the metal bend in it and ajuster. I found this caused a slight problem in that to get a smooth cable operation I had to lead the cable along the outside of the air filter cover. I used a piece of tape to protect the paintwork from the cable rubbing the paintwork.
You have to remove the outer case to fit the new cam unit and I would advise to fit a new kickstart shaft O ring. If care is taken you can save the cover gasket. As my original cable was in good condition I kept it for a spare. I taped the old cable to the new so to ease the change over along with a spare throttle cable when I had the petrol tank off. The end nipple on the original is not the same but I decided I could make it fit if I needed to. I am sure our host can supply these parts and for peace of mind you could go for their complete kit. If in doubt ask the lads at Hitchcocks as they have kept me right in the past.

[Madoc]

I put one in my '65 together with the upgrade kit.

With the improved power it had, I just could not get it to stop slipping.

So impressed that I put a similar one into the one in the WDCO ....