Are All Brake Cables the Same?

[Jason74]

Well, after nearly 250 mile on my HT, I had my first real equipment failure. The clutch cable broke. Fortunately this looks like a simple fix as it appears that any standard brake cable will work as a replacement. However, my question is this: Are all brake cables the same? Will they all be prone to quick failure like this one, or can I buy something of greater quality that will last longer?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[cheeseman]

Where did your cable break?

I've never had a brake cable break before. Mabey its because of the iffy quality from China?

Anyway, you could try a stainless steel cable. What you have is probably a zinc plated mild steel cable. Any cable is probably better than the one you had.

Just make sure the clutch cable has the same ends as a brake cable.

 

[arceeguy]

I have found the clutch cables are a bit thicker than the typical brake cables included on a bike. If you go to a powersports dealer, they'll be able to make you a cable that will never break.

I liberally grease both the throttle and clutch cables. Never really had much trouble with them, except for a few throttle cables that were cut too short from the factory.

 

[Jason74]

It broke somewhere inside the adjustment barrel. From the way it broke, it looks like it possible that it was getting caught or rubbing something pretty hard. I did not grease the cable at time of install. I will do so with my replacement cable. A little bit of grease may have prevented this failure.

Thanks,
Jason