How to shorten and solder motorcycle control cables

[mikeisalooker]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, headed to the store to buy some 60/40 now!

[gwinn23]

nice job!

[paradisoverde]

Thanks, man. Most-excellent video. Keep producing these.

I can't tell you how encouraging I find it that a young guy is doing this basic stuff. Usually, these days, only the older guys have the skills and the motivation.

[fenrir00]

@paradisoverde I wish there were more older guys around here to show me what to do! Thank god for the internet, though, without it and the people who share their techniques, I'd still be trying to figure out how to punch out an exhaust baffle.

[thunzie]

This is great, sharing your skills for the joy of it, and I know it takes more time to put a video like this together than most people would think. Hats off to you mate, and thanks!

[bigfischusa]

good show,please wear eye protection,would hate to lose your talents

[maninshed1]

Eye protection!!!!

[fenrir00]

@maninshed1 I've got glasses on during all grinding and cutting, but most of the time you can't see my face, and sometimes I've taken them off right before I've cut to the next scene. I've been to the hospital twice to get metal shards ground out of my eye and once spent over 2 years with a torn lens from a rock. I now try to be very aware of that sort of thing.

[chicofrijoles]

Awesome I'm going to try this this weekend and try to post my results.

[datboyknows]

thanks for posting this! I'll be trying it this week. I have about 5 bikes right now that need shorter cables and it would be great if this works so that I don't have to buy new ones

[SnapDaddy5998]

And the silver bearing acid core is for metal. Not for plumbing

Is this acceptable?

[fenrir00]

@SnapDaddy5998 no good - it can't have any sort of flux core (acid or rosin). its gotta be solid solder

[SnapDaddy5998]

Would this be strong enough for an actual clutch cable? 

[fenrir00]

@SnapDaddy5998 absolutely - that's the whole point of the video. That's a real clutch cable, I just didn't have a use for it right then. It doesn't matter if its a control cable for a bike, a car, or an airplane, they all work the same way.

[SnapDaddy5998]

@fenrir00 Just figured there wold be more pressure on a clutch cable then say a throttle cable. I realise there are push/pull cables that would take some of the stress off the opposing cable. You think 100% lead soulder would be the most prefered if I can get it? Or the 80/20 mix is preferable and good enough for this application?

[fenrir00]

@SnapDaddy5998 if you do it right it'll be strong enough for any application on a motorcycle (sometimes it just doesn't take and you have to redo it, but you'll know right away when the ferrel pops off on load) . I use 50/50 tin/lead solder, but 60/40 tin/lead is a little stronger. I know some people use straight lead, but the more tin, the stronger the solder, so I use at least 50/50. The more tin also the better the solder sticks to the metal.

[SnapDaddy5998]

@fenrir00 Alrite last question. I appreciate the answers. Home Depot only had metal working solder. It's a Silver bearing acid core. It dosn't give a ratio on it.

[luketrash]

This is a glimpse of a real American with a can-do attitude. Thanks for sharing this. I spent last night cussing at my little butane torch method I was trying with some custom Mikuni throttle cables.