Stuck at Te Anau - broken clutch on Honda TA

**98tls** · 25th December 2014, 20:09

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

From a standing start, put it in gear with the engine switched off & start the engine, shifting without the clutch shouldn't be difficult at all. I'm not entirely sure how you are stranded, it would only slow me down by a couple of minutes while I contemplated my options.

Have to agree but he seems not keen on no clutch so looking for other options.

**rocinante** · 25th December 2014, 20:23

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

From a standing start, put it in gear with the engine switched off & start the engine, shifting without the clutch shouldn't be difficult at all. I'm not entirely sure how you are stranded, it would only slow me down by a couple of minutes while I contemplated my options.

tried that at one point, but the wee little starte motor did not sound happy with trying to move the 450 kg that is the loaded bike. did not want to leave gear or partner out on some farm, so we discarded that option.

in other news: turns out I do have the manual available after all. need to find honda spare part 22870-MFF-D01 on boxing day and then get it here. Easy, right?

**R650R** · 25th December 2014, 20:28

From memory there's a reasonable size truck company near Te Anau with stock trucks, maybe try there in the morning and ask nicely, they will have tools for Africa out in the wops there to fix there own stuff.
Failing that get some JB weld (Epoxy) from garage or shop and glue the fecker in place, rough but get you home.

BTW if cable length is an issue you can prob get a little from the clutch end adjuster or shuffle the lever mount along the bar. Also you could just get any old bolt that will fit and drill to make your own cable clamp like that pic above.
Good luck.
BTW I have a spare set of GSXR cables I bought when my bike was fairly new, meant to route them alongside ready to use like some of the racers do, never got around to it.... 110,000km and original cables still going ok.

**unstuck** · 25th December 2014, 20:49

When you off to milford, and when where you hoping to leave Te-anau?

**rocinante** · 25th December 2014, 21:17

we are out of Te Anau for the boatride between 7:30 am and about 5 pm. we are staying in the holliday park - we would like to leave / move on ASAP as I have to be back in Wellington on the 5th for work. trying to salvage as much from our holiday as possible.

my idea now is to give dealers and parts shops calls tomorrow and see if someone either has one of the universial ones or even the spare (should anyone answer at all). Then overnight it to the friendly AA garage in town and spend 15 min. fixing it ...

contact is 0223299751

**unstuck** · 25th December 2014, 21:22

What sort of fitting is on the other end of the cable? Where it attaches to the clutch arm.

**unstuck** · 25th December 2014, 21:26

Is it like this? I have one like this that I think was off my old XR600, is old but does not appear to be frayed or otherwise damaged. Would get you home I would think.

**unstuck** · 25th December 2014, 21:32

Also have a couple of dr ones that have this type of ends on them.

Got a few other bikes around that I may be able to rob parts off if they would fit.

**mattsdakar** · 25th December 2014, 23:00

Originally Posted by 98tls

Any way you could attach a spring loaded set of vice grips (if you can beg some to borrow off a local) to the end of cable attach them to the bars and use to get you going.

+1 for this
Attach some vice grips to the clutch arm and use the back of your calf to engage clutch, once moving you can just change gear without clutching, will get you to Gore or Queenstown where a bike shop should be able to sort u out.

A mate of mind broke a clutch cable in Te Anau a few years ago and the local lawn mower shop managed to make him up a cable using lawn mower spares..good luck!

**rocinante** · 26th December 2014, 06:05

Originally Posted by unstuck

Is it like this? I have one like this that I think was off my old XR600, is old but does not appear to be frayed or otherwise damaged. Would get you home I would think.

that is exactly it. mushroom on the clutch end, barrel on the leaver. that would be the life saver if it works length wise. Mine is 110 cm (measured with the scale on the leaterman, so ...). longer should be fine, only shorter is hard. they really did not leave much room for it to go anywhere else the TA. guess that is why the keep on breaking after 20000km (yes, this is the second time and yes, a wise man would carry a spare given that knowledge ...).

thanks everyone for the suggestions, i am starting to consider the clamp option to get to gore tomorrow, but unstuck - you may be my golden Hero!

**unstuck** · 26th December 2014, 07:06

Enjoy your day on the boat and I will have a think.

**BlackSheepLogic** · 26th December 2014, 08:28

Originally Posted by unstuck

Enjoy your day on the boat and I will have a think.

Why don't you leave your Pillion and gear behind and make your way over to Gore where you have been offered help? If you can't manage without a clutch I would be finding my way over to Gore by bus, taxi, hitch, bicycle, waliking, stolen vehicle, or whatever other means necessary rather than spending $150.00 on a bus ticket to catch a boat.

**unstuck** · 26th December 2014, 14:22

Left you a couple of old cables under your screen, hope they are of some use. You should be able to get yourself mobile at least.
Sorry I could not hang around as I am a little busy, but if you need anything else, just holla.

**BuzzardNZ** · 26th December 2014, 14:30

Originally Posted by unstuck

Left you a couple of old cables under your screen, hope they are of some use. You should be able to get yourself mobile at least.
Sorry I could not hang around as I am a little busy, but if you need anything else, just holla.

Hat's off to you Unstuck for helping a fellow biker out

I hope Santa left a few LARGE ladies under the tree for you