Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Aug 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 49
broken throttle cables

If you've got a broken throttle cable and no replacement, turn the tickover up as much as you can bear and ride using the clutch and gears (emergency use only).

I once had a throttle cable snap on an FJ1200,50 miles from home.I'd just bought it and the standard toolkit wasn't up to swapping the pull and push cables. The best I could do made the throttle work but in the wrong direction. Easy on the motorway until you had to change gear and instinct makes you shut (open) the throttle. Made me sweat a bit.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Jan 2004
Laromonster's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stavanger,Norway
Posts: 112
Going on an extended bike journey its prudent to buy an extra set of cables for throttle,brake and clutch before leaving home. Then tape the spares to the existing ones. old tip i know , but its worth repeating
__________________
Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 49
This is a good idea, although a word of warning. I doubled up all the cables on my Africa Twin before heading off for morroco. I really went to town with duct tape to seal both ends of all spare cables in order to protect them from rain/grit etc. Naturally sod's law states that none of my cables needed swapping in the Sahara, but it's still a good idea in blighty so I kept them on. A year later I noticed that my orginal clutch cable was starting to fray, so swapped to the spare which was zip tied alongside. Took me ages to get the duct tape off though.

I left the frayed cable on and ordered a new cable. Two days later at midnight in the middle of nowhere the swapped clutch cable lost its engine end nipple. I think road salt or the engine heat had weakened it despite my attempts at weatherproofing. I switched back to the old cable which only had a few strands left and rode the 50 miles home with as little clutch use as possible.

I've doubled up cables again though with even more tape around the lower end than before.

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Jan 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
The white plastic stoppers you get with cheap imitation champagne make great protective covers for spare cable ends. They're a tad bulky but weigh next to nothing.

Mick

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Norway
Posts: 70
To protect the open ends from wather and dust, I use some pices of shrinkplastic tubes (the one you use on electrical cabels)
Take one string with old wire, put it inn the shrinktube before shrinking it to the new chlutshcabel and you have a perfetct rippcord for "unpacking"..
the string must be a couple of cm longer than teh shrinktube ofcource..
Works great!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Aug 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
protecting cables.... my two pennys worth

i like to put a big glob of vaseline on the end then wrap in cling film ( Saran wrap for our American friends) and on top of that some electrical tape. do both ends and they will stay like new AND be ready lubed!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Aug 2007
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,822
YES!

Also, I use old bicycle tubes to protect things. A bit of tube makes a perfect
cover for cable ends. Grease it up, zip tie a bit of tube onto it. Seems to work.

If you bike is only a couple years old I doubt you need to carry spare cables.
Especially if your bike is stored indoors. I take card of my cable ends as well,
keeping them not only greased...but clean.

Patrick
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Aug 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
I use gaffer tape, the type sold to satellite/tv installerrs, it is double sided sticky and stretchy and forms a completey waterproof amorphous messy blob not dissimilar to nutty putty being both plastic and stretchy at the same time.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
Talking oldbmw, that stuff isnt gaffer tape its self amalgamating rubber tape

but yes, i know the stuff you mean, and it ends up forming itself into a blob that wont leak or fall off. IF YOU WANT SOME GET HOLD OF SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR BRITISH TELECOM AND BUY THEM A FEW PINTS, its worth its weight in gold. can be used to repair burst radiator hoses too!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Can't disagree overall, but...........

......fixing the replacement cables alongside the existing is a racing technique when time matters; for riding long distance/RTW what does it matter - just pack the spares and hope it never happens.
When you sell the bike you can sell the spares still wrapped up in the original packaging!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
Thumbs up Another throttle/clutch cable tip

this may be of help. carry 2 or 3 metres of very strong nylon paracord and tie it to your cable at the carb end (or in my case I was changing the clutch cable on a BMW K series, so i tied it to the nipple at the gearbox end) BEFORE removing the cable, then when you reinstall the cable, tie the cord securely to the new cable and gently pull through as you feed the cable. this way it will be routed correctly. a wrongly routed cable can cause you so much grief you cant imagine.
in anycase, when faced with ANY breakdown, anywhere, STOP (its hard not to), STAY CALM, THINK, above all DONT PANIC, it wastes energy and gives you a headache. it isnt always as bad as you think.
many times given a 10 or 15 minute rest in the shade( even the minimal shade of a broken down BMW K series) and a solution can start to take form.
happy riding

Last edited by Martynbiker; 15 Sep 2007 at 07:12. Reason: additional information
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 Sep 2007
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Thumbs up Time for a cuppa

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martynbiker View Post
many times given a 10 or 15 minute rest in the shade( even the minimal shade of a broken down BMW K series) and a solution can start to take form.
happy riding
Good advice, Marty. A traveler from Ireland that stayed with me had a routine of always putting on a brew before starting any repair. He said the 15 minutes spent with your hands busy doing something you didn't have to think about meant that your head was free to do it's thing. Also, when you did get started, you were refreshed, rested and in a happy frame of mind with a nice cuppa inside you.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
you are right

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martynbiker View Post
but yes, i know the stuff you mean, and it ends up forming itself into a blob that wont leak or fall off. IF YOU WANT SOME GET HOLD OF SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR BRITISH TELECOM AND BUY THEM A FEW PINTS, its worth its weight in gold. can be used to repair burst radiator hoses too!
You are right, I forgot the name . it is sold by CPC of Preston. virtually every electrical repair shop has an account with them. At that time i had my own business.. and it was very cheap, about £2 for a big roll. Get some.

I have to admit I carry my spares rolled up in dry storage these days, instead of on teh bike. when changing cables , buy two, check they both the same and fit one.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:24.