Bicycle bowden cables

Wallace · Mar 10, 2015

Are any of the off road cables larger diameter? I'm looking to make a cable for a gearbox and don't really want to use motorcycle or moped sizes more a heavy duty throttle cable.

Cheers

normspanners · Mar 10, 2015

What do you want the cable to do?
on comp stuff we use this type, the handy thing is all you need to do is drill a 6mm hole the plastic ferrule clips in and stops wear the cables come in various lengths
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-METER-L...614?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d53f9f0fe

We usually use two of these as 'handbrake cables' on hydraulic systems also,
they are linked from the hand brake lever to the rear pads, mind it is only to please the scrutineer's and that is only to comply with the legal requirement of the handbrake must have a mechanical link.
but they are quite strong and if incorrectly adjusted can stop the hydraulic cylinder working effectively.

hotrodder · Mar 11, 2015

Road or MTB are the same 1.5 or 1.6mm diameter inner for brakes but with different nipples. Gear cables are 1.1 or 1.2mm depending on brand and use compression resistant outer which is a chunk stiffer than helically wound brake stuff. Tandem cables are the same diameters, just a lot longer

graffian · Mar 11, 2015

Bike clutch cables maybe.

normspanners · Mar 11, 2015

My bicycle hasnt got a clutch ?? :whistle:

Appart from my cheeks clutchin the stupid race seat

dismounting was like pulling a cork from a bottle.

Rig Pig · Mar 11, 2015

Speedy cables will be able to help you, I have ordered some oddball bit's from them over the years.

Wallace · Mar 11, 2015

normspanners said:
What do you want the cable to do?

It's for an auto gearbox conversion that I am updating. The original solid kickdown linkage has been used for operating a throttle valve on the replacement gearbox normally operated by cable. I made some mods in situ a few years ago to improve the operation and ease adjustment but the whole setup is worn out and I want to fit a cable but not an OE one or an aftermarket that has a long cable loop to pull the lever.

hotrodder said:
Road or MTB are the same 1.5 or 1.6mm diameter inner for brakes but with different nipples. Gear cables are 1.1 or 1.2mm depending on brand and use compression resistant outer which is a chunk stiffer than helically wound brake stuff. Tandem cables are the same diameters, just a lot longer

That's what I was trying to think of, the compression resistant outer as I want to fix the cable and use the outer to move the arm and save the long cable loop. Has the gear train technology moved onto brake cables I wonder since the advent of hydraulics?

graffian said:
Bike clutch cables maybe.

Yes, or a brake cable off a chicken chaser as the cable size is not massive.

Rig Pig said:
Speedy cables will be able to help you, I have ordered some oddball bit's from them over the years.

Thanks for reminding me, used them years ago and they might be able to supply a 90 deg speedo adaptor.

sardine · Mar 11, 2015

Morse cables. Used on boats for engine control linkages.

Wallace · Mar 11, 2015

sardine said:
Morse cables. Used on boats for engine control linkages.

Good shout, forgot about those although I do remember the horrific prices from working in a boat yard! :laughing:

hotrodder · Mar 11, 2015

Wallace said:
That's what I was trying to think of, the compression resistant outer as I want to fix the cable and use the outer to move the arm and save the long cable loop. Has the gear train technology moved onto brake cables I wonder since the advent of hydraulics?

Brake cables stayed with helically wound outer. No good for indexed gears, not because it compresses easily (it's very tightly wound) but because it's so flexible i.e. it takes a tight bend which changes the effective length slightly which is sometimes noticable when turning the bars resulting in the back brake dragging slightly if the cable routing isn't spot on. Not a big deal with brakes but enough to throw out indexed gears

ford34/2 · Mar 11, 2015

Any Cable combination of end(s) cable diams, outer sleeves, fittings on the end, Thoroughly recommend Mike: made up a specific cable to a drawing, it was to connect a Merc foot operated handbrake to a splitter to connect Volvo 240 back axle brakes. Was for a 1934 Ford Sports coupe being built. Excellent job and didnt cost an arm and a leg, + personal conversation to confirm a couple of points. Class service.

Mike Howes at Speedy cables,http://www.speedycables.com/cables.html

Stan

DrDeAtH · Mar 11, 2015

ford34/2 said:
Any Cable combination of end(s) cable diams, outer sleeves, fittings on the end, Thoroughly recommend Mike: made up a specific cable to a drawing, it was to connect a Merc foot operated handbrake to a splitter to connect Volvo 240 back axle brakes. Was for a 1934 Ford Sports coupe being built. Excellent job and didnt cost an arm and a leg, + personal conversation to confirm a couple of points. Class service.

Mike Howes at Speedy cables,http://www.speedycables.com/cables.html

Stan

I used speedy cables when I did my v8 conversion. Quick turnaround

MCKDAVID · Mar 11, 2015

what about outboard motor cable suppliers, solid cable core, won't compress or deform in either sense. Might be more adapted to a gear box control.
maybe missed the point completely....

Wallace · Mar 12, 2015

I did some searching and it seems BMX brake cables are available with linear outers, just need to find a bike shop now and take a gander.

Wedg1e · Mar 12, 2015

DrDeAtH said:
I used speedy cables when I did my v8 conversion. Quick turnaround

I used them to make me a specific speedo cable for my TVR, it's split to include a pulse generator for the cruise control.

Bicycle bowden cables

Wallace

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normspanners

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hotrodder

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graffian

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normspanners

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Rig Pig

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Wallace

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sardine

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Wallace

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ford34/2

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MCKDAVID

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Wallace

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