Triumphrat

tango · 02-14-2005

Was giving tango a bit of a lube up last and discovered the replacement clutch cable i put on is now starting to break up, at the lever.

This is the second one in as many years. I usually give everything a good going over every 1k miles or sooner, if I remember.

I have a new spare but I didn't expect to be need to use it so soon.

Does anyone else have this problem?.

BigStripey · 02-14-2005

Must be the way you ride it Davie......caning round those Scottish lanes all the time :razz: :razz:

tango · 02-14-2005

Yeah, gave it some stick today

Tractors, out of my way I'm coming through. :-D

djr · 02-15-2005

Must admit, I have never had this problem. There was a problem with some Triumphs a long time back that had some dodgy clutch cables (kept braking at the lever end).

I assume you got new stock? Is the cable routed cleanly?

tango · 02-15-2005

Yep the cable moves freely within the sheath and it is routed correctly and well lubed.

It is starting to fray at exactly the same place as the original, ie at the lever.

When I bought the new cables? they were the last two the dealer had, but what I don't know, is, how long they had been sitting around in the shop.

Maybe they are the same ones as the old dodgy ones, will phone the shop today to see what they've got to say about it, but I don't hold much hope of them resolving it, but we shall see.

Timtiger · 02-15-2005

I think I know the problem.
I don't beleive in lubricating the cable as I think it has a low friction liner and any lubricant just attracts grit and wears out the cable faster.
I think your problem is the cable pivot seizing. If the cable end (sometimes called a nipple) does not rotate in the lever recess, everytime you use the clutch, you actually bend the cable a little and like any metal, it will fatigue and fail. As the cable end and the lever are both alloy, they can corrode, fuzz up and seize. This would be worse with a bit of salt around - like road salt.

The answer should be to clean the cable end and I would even sand the lever recess a little to give a little more space for the cable end to rotate. I use fishing reel grease in this recess. It is designed to stop this type of corrosion and not be washed out by routine cleaning, and is not messy. The cable should be taken out, cleaned and the grease replaced every so often - like every 2 years. I would bet this cures the problem.

tango · 02-15-2005

Timtiger,

Thanks for the advice, but apparently there was a recall on the clutch cables on earlier tiger models, pre 03. I checked the original, which I still have and it is date stamped 07/02. the replacement Triumph cables I have are stamped 10/01.

Didn't get round to phoning the dealer today, went out on the Trophy instead, but I will tomorrow.

As a side note, I am seriously thinking of getting another tiger to replace the trophy, I'm afraid the tiger has just spoiled me.
The Trophy doesn't do it for me, and it hurts my neck.

Definitely won't be getting rid of tango, but if I do get another I will just keep it more or less standard, and use it purely for two up.
I asked SWMBO what she prefered, and without hesitation said the tiger.

A brace of tiggers
:-D :-D

Now what colour to go for, Black or silver, mmm.

[ This message was edited by: tango on 2005-02-15 17:34 ]

tango · 02-16-2005

Well, phoned the dealer today and they said bring in both the cables and they will be replaced with new ones, no questions.

I've had nothing but GOOD service from Shirlaws in Aberdeen, which is pretty rare nowadays, so they will continue to get my custom.

I think having a RAT pack helps, it means they are enthusiastic about Triumphs, and long may it continue.

tango · 02-16-2005

Well, phoned the dealer today and they said bring in both the cables and they will be replaced with new ones, no questions.

I've had nothing but GOOD service from Shirlaws in Aberdeen, which is pretty rare nowadays, so they will continue to get my custom.

I think having a RAT pack helps, it means they are enthusiastic about Triumphs, and long may it continue.

djr · 02-16-2005

Somewhere in the back of my mind it was lurking about clutch recalls. Glad to see your dealer keeps up his good service standards though, I suppose you should never have received the faulty stock ones in the first place.