<VV> Corsa clutch cable

[Larry Forman]

At 09:52 PM 6/26/2004 -0400, Pitts10ch@aol.com wrote:
>Hi guys,
>My clutch cable snapped and the pedal went to the floor tonight and my
>girlfriend screemed all at once.  A few rolling stops and we were home.
>Question:
>1966 Corsa-
>How do I change my clutch cable?  Should I jack from the rear or the front?
>Any other tips would be great.  I guess 40 years was adequate service form 
>the
>original.  Thanks so much guys!
>Chris Hand

Chris,
This is a common problem with the 65-68s and it was finally "fixed" with 
the 69 style cable, as I have heard.  The CORSA Tech Guide has a couple of 
emergency fixes using cable clamps and eye hooks.  I have heard that 
motorcycle shops have ends that can be attached to the cable and fix the 
one you have.

BTW, on the 65 vert I just got, after I removed the carpet there were no 
less than SIX of the little ball ends from the clutch cable!  That means 
that someone replaced the clutch cables at least six times.  That really 
cracked me up.  I took a little extra time to lube the ball and the socket 
area to help extend it's life.

I will make a trip to a motorcycle shop and check out what hardware they 
have.  If I strike out there, I will get some cable clamps and make an 
emergency repair setup.  You can make one yourself by making a not very 
wide (but long) plate and put a pin in the end to replace the ball.  Attach 
the other end to the cable with cable clamps and possibly a cable stress 
relief device called a thimble.  The reason these break is that the ball is 
not typically lubed very well and if it ever locks up and rotates with the 
lever, it places stresses on the cable and starts to bend it repeatedly 
until it breaks.  With a hardened pin in the end versus the ball, the cable 
will not be stressed and bent until it breaks.

-- Larry