Busted clutch cable and can't shift

cuong-nutz · November 2nd, 2012, 10:45 AM

Shot myself in the foot for not changing the cable out sooner. I'm stuck at work and I can't shift the bike manually. It seems the like the clutch shifter rod is misaligned and it doesn't have that springy tension on it anymore. Did I just screw myself and what do I need to do to get it shifting right again?

Motofool · November 2nd, 2012, 10:50 AM

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Can_I_r...able_breaks%3F

menikmati · November 2nd, 2012, 11:20 AM

Was it still the stock cable? I replaced mine at around 17k when I started noticing poor, spongey clutch pulls and saw that it was frayed around 50% through.

I'd take Motofool's advice and try not to stop moving during your commute.

cuong-nutz · November 2nd, 2012, 11:22 AM

Ah, I wasn't rolling much when I shifted into first....

@Motofool, Thanks again!

Looks like I'll be taking the Emergency lane again on the highway. Friday traffic blows.

alex.s · November 2nd, 2012, 11:23 AM

its parked in a safe place. order replacement cables and leave it at work until they come in. don't risk screwing up something in traffic and driving into a car if you dont have to

Alex · November 2nd, 2012, 11:26 AM

Get a 300.

CC Cowboy · November 2nd, 2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Get a 300.

Best bike in the world!

alex.s · November 2nd, 2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Best bike in the world!

better than a gsxr?

lc86 · November 2nd, 2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

better than a gsxr?

Not really, but you shouldn't upgrade to a gsxr until you total your 250, only then are you ready for the upgrade.

More on the topic though, it's surprisingly easy to upshift and downshift in the ninjette without using the clutch (although downshifting into first is never fun, so only if you have to). When I first started riding I intentionally rode that way for awhile so that I would know what to do if my clutch cable ever broke. I got to the point where I could shift more smoothly without the clutch than with it. Stopping and starting is a pain, but if you are gentle enough you can even shift it into neutral as you stop and not have to restart the bike. Obviously you shouldn't do it if you don't have to, but it is doable.

alex.s · November 2nd, 2012, 02:05 PM

uh. enlighten me how are you supposed to get from stopped, running bike in neutral to a moving, running bike in first without a clutch or turning the engine off?

Alex · November 2nd, 2012, 02:08 PM

Same as a bump start. While in neutral, start running beside it, hop on while it's moving, and pop it down into first while giving it gas. With any luck, the motor will be turning fast enough to keep accelerating, and you're on your way. (right up until the next red light, where the process needs to start again....)

alex.s · November 2nd, 2012, 02:10 PM

oh i see... i should have known that, my bike doesn't even have a starter hooked up right now (push start only)

lc86 · November 2nd, 2012, 02:17 PM

Alex beat me to it, but as long as the bike is moving it's doable. I find it easier than starting in 1st gear.

Motofool · November 2nd, 2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

........(right up until the next red light, where the process needs to start again....)

.......Or you could try timing the lights, being your familiar route.

Hope you get home safe, Cuong !

CC Cowboy · November 2nd, 2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Same as a bump start. While in neutral, start running beside it, hop on while it's moving, and pop it down into first while giving it gas. With any luck, the motor will be turning fast enough to keep accelerating, and you're on your way. (right up until the next red light, where the process needs to start again....)

I always use 2nd when bump starting.

alex.s · November 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM

maybe i'm a weakling but i've been using 4th gear on the 250 for bump starting...

CC Cowboy · November 2nd, 2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

better than a gsxr?

OK, second best bike in the world (I forgot the squidly factor which makes the gsxr the world's best).

cuong-nutz · November 2nd, 2012, 11:58 PM

Yep, safe. Left work early just to get a head start on traffic.

Motofool · November 3rd, 2012, 05:25 AM

Great !!

CC Cowboy · November 3rd, 2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

maybe i'm a weakling but i've been using 4th gear on the 250 for bump starting...

Great idea. If you can start the bike in fourth gear you never have to shift.

Ravenger · November 3rd, 2012, 09:34 AM

I've had to drive my bike 5 k's in traffic without a clutch cable, that included red lights and everything. I had quite a few people looking very funny at me with takeoffs but hey..what can you do, if needs to be done it needs to be done.

papawhellie · November 3rd, 2012, 06:52 PM

I live in a rather rural area and mine frayed beyond engaging clutch. I had no problems staying on the bike and getting it rolling and bumping into first. Also easing slow it was no problem from first to neutral. It would suck to catch a light on the uphill though. Anybody have reviews on the parts unlimited cable. The Honda

shop said they could get me one for 15 bucks.

lc86 · November 3rd, 2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papawhellie

I live in a rather rural area and mine frayed beyond engaging clutch. I had no problems staying on the bike and getting it rolling and bumping into first. Also easing slow it was no problem from first to neutral. It would suck to catch a light on the uphill though. Anybody have reviews on the parts unlimited cable. The Honda

shop said they could get me one for 15 bucks.

For a couple bucks more you can order the OEM one http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID...2/Group/Cables I wouldn't risk using another. They should last a long time, well, unless you run into something like this...http://www.ninjette.org/forums/archi...p/t-54509.html

November 2nd, 2012, 10:45 AM	#1
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Busted clutch cable and can't shift Shot myself in the foot for not changing the cable out sooner. I'm stuck at work and I can't shift the bike manually. It seems the like the clutch shifter rod is misaligned and it doesn't have that springy tension on it anymore. Did I just screw myself and what do I need to do to get it shifting right again? __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

November 2nd, 2012, 10:50 AM	#2
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Can_I_r...able_breaks%3F __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

November 2nd, 2012, 11:22 AM	#4
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Ah, I wasn't rolling much when I shifted into first.... @Motofool, Thanks again! Looks like I'll be taking the Emergency lane again on the highway. Friday traffic blows. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

November 2nd, 2012, 11:23 AM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	its parked in a safe place. order replacement cables and leave it at work until they come in. don't risk screwing up something in traffic and driving into a car if you dont have to __________________________________________________

November 2nd, 2012, 11:26 AM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Get a 300. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 2nd, 2012, 11:20 AM	#3
menikmati crash 250, get supersport Name: Richard Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE (Sold 6/9/14), 2009 ZX-6R (Sold 6/25/14), Subaru BRZ Posts: A lot.	Was it still the stock cable? I replaced mine at around 17k when I started noticing poor, spongey clutch pulls and saw that it was frayed around 50% through. I'd take Motofool's advice and try not to stop moving during your commute.

November 2nd, 2012, 02:05 PM	#10
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	uh. enlighten me how are you supposed to get from stopped, running bike in neutral to a moving, running bike in first without a clutch or turning the engine off? __________________________________________________

November 2nd, 2012, 02:08 PM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Same as a bump start. While in neutral, start running beside it, hop on while it's moving, and pop it down into first while giving it gas. With any luck, the motor will be turning fast enough to keep accelerating, and you're on your way. (right up until the next red light, where the process needs to start again....) __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 2nd, 2012, 02:10 PM	#12
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	oh i see... i should have known that, my bike doesn't even have a starter hooked up right now (push start only) __________________________________________________

November 2nd, 2012, 02:17 PM	#13
lc86 ninjette.org guru Name: Samual Location: Utah Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (RIP) Posts: 258	Alex beat me to it, but as long as the bike is moving it's doable. I find it easier than starting in 1st gear.

November 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM	#16
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	maybe i'm a weakling but i've been using 4th gear on the 250 for bump starting... __________________________________________________

November 2nd, 2012, 11:58 PM	#18
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Yep, safe. Left work early just to get a head start on traffic. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

November 3rd, 2012, 05:25 AM	#19
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Great !! __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

November 3rd, 2012, 09:34 AM	#21
Ravenger ninjette.org member Name: Jacques Location: South Africa, Stellenbosch Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 37	I've had to drive my bike 5 k's in traffic without a clutch cable, that included red lights and everything. I had quite a few people looking very funny at me with takeoffs but hey..what can you do, if needs to be done it needs to be done.

November 3rd, 2012, 06:52 PM	#22
papawhellie ninjette.org member Name: David Location: woodbury Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): lots Posts: 77	I live in a rather rural area and mine frayed beyond engaging clutch. I had no problems staying on the bike and getting it rolling and bumping into first. Also easing slow it was no problem from first to neutral. It would suck to catch a light on the uphill though. Anybody have reviews on the parts unlimited cable. The Honda shop said they could get me one for 15 bucks.

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