Clutch cable tragedy

An event popped up on my Facebook feed a few weeks ago, a mate from hockey was going on a group ride out to Goulburn and back. After checking it was an open invitation, I made sure I wasn't needed for any other family activities, and registered as going. I haven't been on any group rides since I lived in Sydney and was part of a motorbike club. We used to arrange meets and rides (usually every Friday night) but occasionally we would organise a day ride through the Royal National Park, over the Blue Mountains or up North via the Old Pacific Hwy or via the Putty road. Organising these types of events can be tricky - planning for fuel stops, rest stops, setting up contingencies for the crazies that want to push ahead (where will we catch up with you) vs keeping track of the newbies that are still on their L's and require a bit more supervision. I have a lot of great memories from those group rides. I wasn't organising this one but group rides are always fun: an opportunity to go for a ride, go a bit crazy, help some beginners, take in some amazing scenery, grab a meal and talk to others about your shared interest in motorbikes, and ultimately make some new friends. Something I find gets harder as you get older. This is alot of setup for a relatively short story but I wanted to emphasise why I was so excited to be going on this group ride.

Sunday morning of the ride arrives, the weather is looking amazing - warm but not so hot as to become a rotisserie chicken (constantly moving to avoid the heat coming off the hundred degree engine that you are sitting on). I had my CamelBack (chilling in the fridge since the day before), my snacks, first aid kit including Panadol for when my ass goes to sleep after a few hours on a generally unconfortable sportbike seat, I was fully fueled, and had my music ready to go. I get on the bike and head into town full of excitement for the day ahead.

As I pull into the carpark, there is a sudden 'click' and my clutch lever goes slack. Luckily I was going slow and I was in first gear - it takes me a second and I realise my clutch cable has snapped. I slowly limp to an empty spot near the group and end up stalling the bike. I could have attempted to knock it into neutral but I figured a controlled stall was the best way to go but of course everyone turns their head to find out what happened as some idiot just stalled their bike! After a quick demonstration of the play in my clutch lever I think everyone has cottoned on. I jump off my bike with an ever increasing feeling of disappointment as it dawns on me that I will not be going for a ride today.

A few people come over to find out what happened. Also had a few quick words with my mate and his wife who had organised the event. They suggested that they might have a spare bike I could borrow for the ride which was super nice, in hindsight I totally should have taken them up on it but at the time I was just totally focused on my bike and how I was going to get it home and get it fixed up. Turns out that this was a pretty big group, a number of regulars, a few people from Orange and surrounding areas which is cool. Sounds like there will be other opportunities to join in some group rides but sadly it was not to be on that day. Ultimately everyone was keen to head off and I was left to figure out what I was going to do. I got my bike started (in neutral) and after pushing it to build up some speed I knocked her into 1st. I quickly planned a route home that avoided traffic lights and give way intersections - if I had to stop, she was going to stall (reminded me of the movie 'Speed' with Keanu Reeves - just without the explosions, thankfully!). I could not avoid roundabouts however so I had to time my approaches carefully to make sure I didn't have to stop. Being a Sunday morning thankfully there wasn't many cars on the road so about 5 mins later I managed to make it home and roll into the garage.

After pulling off the fairing, I confirmed the fault - the clutch cable had indeed snapped (see pic ->) Looks like it had been rubbing against something to snap like that so I will make sure to double check this when I install the new one. Never fixed one before but it looks like a pretty simple job (may require a Youtube video or two) - and it made me realise how lucky it was that it hadn't snapped at a more difficult time - I could have been halfway to Goulburn or I could have had my daughter riding pillion like only a couple of weeks prior. I have a replacement cable on order and I am looking forward to get my hands a bit dirty with something mechanical.

And Looking forward to the next time I get to go for a group ride!