Clutch cable replacement: tips/info?

[LordKaos]

Just received my new clutch cable, and now it's time for the fun part. I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I am capable of turning a wrench now-and-then. Thing is, I've never swapped out a cable. Seems like it should be simple, but things that look simple worry me, because there's usually something nasty lurking in the details. To get to the point, does anyone know of any precautions I need to take before tacking this job?

[Me Again]

The really hard part is stringing it threw and following all the clips and holes.
Make sure you adjust the clutch -----loosen nut ,turn screw in until it stops(do not force it) ,then a 1/4 turn out (I usually go slightly less).Then adjust the cable.

[Me Again]

Cool.
I double posted it.

[LordKaos]

So, I did the clutch cable swap this weekend. Me Again was right, threading that new cable was a task and then some! And thanks for the adjustment tip, I think I got it right...it feels right at least. Time to get back on the road!

[Me Again]

Always good to hear a 1300 is on the road.
Great bike.

[Old Nyk]

Just received my new clutch cable, and now it's time for the fun part. I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I am capable of turning a wrench now-and-then. Thing is, I've never swapped out a cable. Seems like it should be simple, but things that look simple worry me, because there's usually something nasty lurking in the details. To get to the point, does anyone know of any precautions I need to take before tacking this job?

Where did you get the Clutch Cable from "LordKaos" i would like to carry a spare,not found one in all of my searches for parts.Hard to come across in England,cheers Mate.Old Nyk.

[addonii]

54011-1168 Clutch

54012-1208 throttle

54012-1209 throttle

All are NLA - Unless you find the cable used or in old dealer stock. You will see some "New" OEM cables once in a while on eBay but most are used and 25 years old. In the USA I would try contacting:

http://www.ronayers.com/

I have had very good luck with either buying or locating through this company.

You can buy very good quality replacement cables through Motion Pro:

http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/search/ ... 1300A/all/

They have all 3 cables you need to keep as spares for your bike.

Since your in England I would suggest trying: http://zed-parts.com/ from a previous post.

Make sure you tell them you have a ZN1300 and not a KZ1300 as the cable are different.

Make sure you get a good cable luber and cable lube and lube the hell out of your present cable to increase their life span.

And as has been noted by previous posters when and if you need to replace a cable make sure you run it exactly the same way as the original, through all the brackets, twists and turns taken by that original cable.

[Old Nyk]

54011-1168 Clutch

54012-1208 throttle

54012-1209 throttle

All are NLA - Unless you find the cable used or in old dealer stock. You will see some "New" OEM cables once in a while on eBay but most are used and 25 years old. In the USA I would try contacting:

http://www.ronayers.com/

I have had very good luck with either buying or locating through this company.

You can buy very good quality replacement cables through Motion Pro:

http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/search/ ... 1300A/all/

They have all 3 cables you need to keep as spares for your bike.

Since your in England I would suggest trying: http://zed-parts.com/ from a previous post.

Make sure you tell them you have a ZN1300 and not a KZ1300 as the cable are different.

Make sure you get a good cable luber and cable lube and lube the hell out of your present cable to increase their life span.

And as has been noted by previous posters when and if you need to replace a cable make sure you run it exactly the same way as the original, through all the brackets, twists and turns taken by that original cable.

Cheers for that info "addonii"i will check out the link's,very much appreciate you getting back to my question.Old Nyk..

[addonii]

All the info I wrote about in my previous post was for Kawasaki here in North America as to the cables being NLA, the situation may or may not be different in the UK or Europe.

If you turn up nothing in your search try:

Best bet is to use Motion Pro, or call Ron Ayers via a Skype connection or email them - give them the part #'s and if they don't show the OEM cable in stock then ask them if they can run the part #'s and tell you who might have the cables in stock here in the US.

On your side of the pond a place for parts for old bikes is:

Consolidated Motor Spares B.V., Netherlands*

See company profile here: http://www.cmsnl.com/company/

Parts info here: http://www.cmsnl.com/

* I checked their website and they have none of the cable in stock. But I left their contact here as another source

The Clutch cable 54011-1168 is found on these Kawasaki models:
ZN1300-A1-A6 Voyager (1983 - 1988)*

*If your buying on eBay the 87 & 88 models used different throttle cables so be aware of that.

The first throttle cable 54012-1208 is found on these:
ZN1300-A1-A4 Voyager (1983 - 1986)

The other throttle cable 54012-1209 is found on these:
ZN1300-A1-A4 Voyager (1983 - 1986)

[Old Nyk]

All the info I wrote about in my previous post was for Kawasaki here in North America as to the cables being NLA, the situation may or may not be different in the UK or Europe.

If you turn up nothing in your search try:

Best bet is to use Motion Pro, or call Ron Ayers via a Skype connection or email them - give them the part #'s and if they don't show the OEM cable in stock then ask them if they can run the part #'s and tell you who might have the cables in stock here in the US.

On your side of the pond a place for parts for old bikes is:

Consolidated Motor Spares B.V., Netherlands*

See company profile here: http://www.cmsnl.com/company/

Parts info here: http://www.cmsnl.com/

* I checked their website and they have none of the cable in stock. But I left their contact here as another source

The Clutch cable 54011-1168 is found on these Kawasaki models:
ZN1300-A1-A6 Voyager (1983 - 1988)*

*If your buying on eBay the 87 & 88 models used different throttle cables so be aware of that.

The first throttle cable 54012-1208 is found on these:
ZN1300-A1-A4 Voyager (1983 - 1986)

The other throttle cable 54012-1209 is found on these:
ZN1300-A1-A4 Voyager (1983 - 1986)

Thank's for that addonii,where would i be without all of your help on here,everybody allways willing to lend a hand,perhaps one day when i have learned a lot more about the Bikes i might be able to offer assistance too,hope so.Hope you have a nice day,all the best from Old Nyk.

[Me Again]

Thank's for that addonii,where would i be without all of your help on here,everybody allways willing to lend a hand,perhaps one day when i have learned a lot more about the Bikes i might be able to offer assistance too,hope so.Hope you have a nice day,all the best from Old Nyk.

You already have with that shiny chrome radiator cover

[Old Nyk]

Thank's for that addonii,where would i be without all of your help on here,everybody allways willing to lend a hand,perhaps one day when i have learned a lot more about the Bikes i might be able to offer assistance too,hope so.Hope you have a nice day,all the best from Old Nyk.

You already have with that shiny chrome radiator cover

Hey,thank's for that comment.Makes me feel that perhaps i have contributed somethin on here,much obliged to you "Me Again".Your Handle certainly gets a lorra views,always helpfull ,great.all the best from Old Nyk.