750 SF1 front brake cable

S

smlav

Senior member
Location
Shropshire UK
I’ve fitted a slightly higher set of bars to the SF1, not as tall as GTL bars but taller than standard SF1. The standard SF1 front brake cable is a bit too short to fit, so I have a cable I bought for the GTL I’m refurbing, but find that the amount if exposed inner cable is about 2cm longer than that of the SF1 cable. See photo. Has anyone got a good solution for fitting something over the cable to take up the slack as it were?
 

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smlav said:
I’ve fitted a slightly higher set of bars to the SF1, not as tall as GTL bars but taller than standard SF1. The standard SF1 front brake cable is a bit too short to fit, so I have a cable I bought for the GTL I’m refurbing, but find that the amount if exposed inner cable is about 2cm longer than that of the SF1 cable. See photo. Has anyone got a good solution for fitting something over the cable to take up the slack as it were?
Click to expand...

Bear in mind that the GTL uses different handlebar switches (ND) with a separate brake lever clamp, differing from the Lucas integrated switch and lever pivot on the SF so the length of inner cable accounts for the different handlebar gear.

I suggest you should keep the cable as is for your GTL project and look for the longer length cable to fit Lucas levers as would have been on the GTF model of the same year as your SF which used same brake, same handlebar fittings, etc. but to fit the higher GT bar.
 
There are vids showing how to cut off the existing end nipple and adding a new one after shortening the cable. Or else order a proper length cable from Venhill
 
Thanks Teddy. Don’t think I could trust a cable where I’d moved the nipple. I’ve dropped Venhill a message, they haven’t got one on their website I could find, they might be able to knock one out.
 
I made a cable freeplay reducer as pictured. This to enable use of an R1 clutch cable on a light clutch SF, but the principle is the same as would be required for your brake cable. No cutting cables and risking failure - if nec you could fit one at each end to double the reduction. (The slot for fitting over the cable is on the far side.)

Cable adapter.jpg
 
I’ve borrowed PB’s solution, less gracefully. I removed the adjuster from a spare handlebar lever/mount and slotted that in at the lower end above the adjuster for exposed cable length. It’ll do for now. Venhill will make up custom cables so I’ll send the old cable off and ask them to make a couple with same exposed length but overall length at 125cm.
 
smlav said:
Thanks J, I don’t want to take risks with front brake cable so will look JJ up
Click to expand...
I am more than happy to elaborate on just how much Ven-hissss charged me for 2 American Eagle/GT clutch cables, £70++/cable...

Fitted cable failed within 1,500 miles, stranding me in Germany. Why did it fail, is a reasonable question? Clem was also en route to Breganze, and nearby, c/w quit a big trailer... Out with TOG, on with Eagle. I lead the way on TOG with Clem & The Old Duffy, in the Merc following through the Black Forest to Andy Wagner's. Andy is too busy to sort me out there and then so it was breakdown/recovery insurance "hire" car, Nissan Fugly, for Breganze meeting and Monaco.
A week or so later I returned to Konstanz, Andy had made me 2 new cables, and installed one of them. c. €35 each. Andy didn't charge me labour or storage etc., we have partied together a fair few times!

As soon as Andy saw the Venhiss logo on the cable sheathers he knew instantly what the problem was...

Venhiss customer complaints were quite categorical that the cable failure was my fault! Apparently, ridding for an extended time in torrential rain counts as exceptionable use... We is refunding you nuffink... I paraphrase.

Andy's explanation: Venhiss use a hydrophilic nylon liner. Hey, it reduces friction, smoother action etc. BUT hydrophilic nylon swells when it gets watered. Venhiss made the cables without adequate clearance to allow for the swelling of the nylon liner when riding in the rain. The nylon lining is not the problem, it's the clearance of...

A little search on this forum may well reveal more gripes with Venhiss for a variety of cable problems.

Go with JJ.

J
 
Yes you can maintain the front brake cable almost indefinitely until it becomes too short as to inhibit steering or gets caught in the spokes ;o)
 
In fitting the higher bars to the SF1 I ended up having to use all the longer cables I’d bought earlier in the year for the GTL refurb. But I found that the front brake, upper throttle and upper choke all had a few cm additional length in their exposed cables, so bodges to all were necessary. Luckily I have the 50 year old GTL cables which I will take to JJ cables and get a set for each bike and a spare set made up.
Sean
 
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