Clutch Cover / Cable Leak

[trikes4ever]

Read the shop manual BEFORE tightening the trans end of the clutch cable!

While crawling under the Deuce yesterday I noticed some oil on the clutch cable. Without consulting the manual, I proceeded to tighten the fitting where it enters the clutch cover - a little too much. The fitting ended up loose with what appeared to be stripped threads. Without taking off the cover I consulted my indy, concerned that I had damaged the clutch cover. He explained that these cable frequently snap off at the threads if too much torque is applied. Finally consulted the manual to discover that I had applied way too much torque. Indy has a new clutch cable on order for me. Not wanting to give up the next couple perfect days for riding I clamped the cable to the frame to prevent movement and applied high temp silicone around the fitting after thorough cleaning with alcohol and drying with heat. As there is no pressure on this, and it's just above the fluid level, I figured I should be OK for the next few days.

Two rules for user maintenance:

1) Buy a manual
2) Read the manual before starting a job

Doh...

 

[tfdeputydawg]

It's usually the O-ring that leaks at the tranny end. Make sure you put a new one on the new cable, if it doesn't come w/one.

 

[trikes4ever]

This is definitely the thread broken - you could wiggle the cable around and actually pull it out some. The silicone is holding real well - absolutely no sings of any leak - so I'm going to leave it alone until I take her in over the winter for new fork seals and have the cable replaced then. I believe the reason it backed out is that the end fitting does not swivel - the entire cable turns with the nut. There was torque on the cable that was trying to loosen it - and eventually did. These things do vibrate a bit.