OP
@bernard69 avatar
UTC

Member
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
 
Member
@bernard69 avatar
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
UTC quote
Hello.
I have a question to ask to vintage scooterists.
I've been driving a 1981 Vespa P200E for the last 14 years and make about 3000 km per summer, in 6 months.
I drive mostly in the city.
For many years, I had to change the clutch cable 2 or 3 times a year.
It breaks at the clutch actuating arm.
I joined a picture but it's not my scooter. Mine is cleaner !
I looked today and it's breaking again.
I thought that the hole in the arm, where the cable goes through, was too sharp so I filed it a little bit. But the cable still breaks.
Is this something that happens to other scooterists ?
What should I do about it ?
Some people add an extra piece of outer cable between the pinch bolt and the arm. It might help.
Thanks for your help.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@rwd11954 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2020 Yamaha XMax, 2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2003 Stella, 1980 Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 324
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Hooked
@rwd11954 avatar
2020 Yamaha XMax, 2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2003 Stella, 1980 Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 324
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
UTC quote
I have a P200 (I've owned since 1981) and a 2003 Stella (I've owned since 2004). Have put about 43,000 combined miles them. In all this time, I've broken maybe 5-6 cables on the combined bikes. Every other time I change the inner cable I also change the outer cover. You may have a rough spot inside the outer that's causing the inner to break. Change both next time and see if that helps get longer cable life.
OP
@bernard69 avatar
UTC

Member
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
 
Member
@bernard69 avatar
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
UTC quote
It's a good idea but the cable breaks near the actuatuing arm.
@rwd11954 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2020 Yamaha XMax, 2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2003 Stella, 1980 Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 324
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Hooked
@rwd11954 avatar
2020 Yamaha XMax, 2013 Vespa GTS300 Super, 2003 Stella, 1980 Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 324
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
UTC quote
1) Something's gotta be rubbing on the cable to not last longer, or
2) Cheap cables, or
3) Bad luck
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6483
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6483
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
If you are missing the little copper bits that go on both sides of the cable as it goes thru the barrel clamp, the the tightening screw will chew it up as you tighten it, causing an earlier demise.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7542
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7542
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Looks to me two things are possible.
1. Overtightening the clamp on the cable. Causes the strands to get bent too hard and sort of twist when pulled on.
2. Related to 1, but when the clutch is pulled in, the cable pulls the moving bit toward the housing (duh), which causes some bending at the clamp. Bending a previously over-bent bit of wire will cause it to break.

This may be too big, but here's an idea:

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-03339-Cable-Stop/dp/B000COCQ06/ref=pd_bxgy_263_3/147-1944302-3437430?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000COCQ06&pd_rd_r=834d7b36-8cab-11e9-8ce9-f1e62de2a0f4&pd_rd_w=GUsxe&pd_rd_wg=iKYkY&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=NYRVVXG03RX0PJE7ZACJ&psc=1&refRID=NYRVVXG03RX0PJE7ZACJ
@usmusket avatar
UTC

Hooked
2020 SuperTech, GTS300, 71Rally 180, 64VBB, 79&80 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 194
Location: North West Georgia
 
Hooked
@usmusket avatar
2020 SuperTech, GTS300, 71Rally 180, 64VBB, 79&80 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 194
Location: North West Georgia
UTC quote
Tierney wrote:
If you are missing the little copper bits that go on both sides of the cable as it goes thru the barrel clamp, the the tightening screw will chew it up as you tighten it, causing an earlier demise.
+1
OP
@bernard69 avatar
UTC

Member
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
 
Member
@bernard69 avatar
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
UTC quote
Thanks for your answers.

I think I probably tighten the nut on the clamp too much.
But how much is enough or too much ??

I'll check if the little copper bits that go on both sides of the cable as it goes thru the barrel clamp are there. I know it's important.

I will also add a little piece of outer cable between the pinch bolt and the arm so that if the nut is too tight it won't bend and break the cable there when I pull the clutch lever.
⚠️ Last edited by Bernard69 on UTC; edited 1 time
@qascooter avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4167
Location: Florence, OR
 
Ossessionato
@qascooter avatar
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4167
Location: Florence, OR
UTC quote
Hey Bernard,

You might also want to take a little dinky small round file to the inside of the clutch arm. It might have a little burr that is working on the cable also...

Always good to keep a couple of spare pinch bolts around.
OP
@bernard69 avatar
UTC

Member
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
 
Member
@bernard69 avatar
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
UTC quote
Thanks for the advices gascooter !!
@waspmike avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
@waspmike avatar
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
UTC quote
some m/bike cable clamps have a spigot.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

Or dry install the next cable and solder it where it passes through the arm and the clamp before greasing.
OP
@bernard69 avatar
UTC

Member
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
 
Member
@bernard69 avatar
Vespa P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: Québec city
UTC quote
I should try to find a clamp like this. It would help.
Thanks.
UTC

Jet Eye Master
PX221 MHR, O tuned PX200, PX181 Quattrini and some motorbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4437
Location: London UK
 
Jet Eye Master
PX221 MHR, O tuned PX200, PX181 Quattrini and some motorbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4437
Location: London UK
UTC quote
The position of the clutch arm at rest, depends on the condition of the actuator components inside. These do wear heavily and cause the rest position of the arm to move forward. When the rest position of the arm gets too far forward the angle of the pulled in clutch is such that the cable keeps breaking.
I suspect this is what your real issue is.
@ginch avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@ginch avatar
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
UTC quote
With the extra outer cable, it allows the cable to maintain direction (ie not bending) through the eye of the lever to a degree. This partially takes the stress off the cable at that point. I found mine were breaking at the nipple which is why I came up with the idea. If you do break it you have the opportunity to simply cut it a bit shorter without replacing it.

https://scooterlab.uk/scooterist-tip-5-large-frame-vespa-clutch-cable-workshop/
@waspmike avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
@waspmike avatar
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
UTC quote
Ginch wrote:
With the extra outer cable, it allows the cable to maintain direction (ie not bending) through the eye of the lever to a degree. This partially takes the stress off the cable at that point. I found mine were breaking at the nipple which is why I came up with the idea. If you do break it you have the opportunity to simply cut it a bit shorter without replacing it.

https://scooterlab.uk/scooterist-tip-5-large-frame-vespa-clutch-cable-workshop/
This look good. I was thinking reverse cable like the Lambretta front brake but I'm not sure there is enough room under there.
The extra outer bit is close.
@oopsclunkthud avatar
UTC

Banned
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
 
Banned
@oopsclunkthud avatar
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
@pdxjim avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2005 PX150 In a Part-time Relationship with a 2-Stroke Vespa Since 2007
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1866
 
Molto Verboso
@pdxjim avatar
2005 PX150 In a Part-time Relationship with a 2-Stroke Vespa Since 2007
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1866
UTC quote
qascooter wrote:
Hey Bernard,

You might also want to take a little dinky small round file to the inside of the clutch arm. It might have a little burr that is working on the cable also...

I was going to say this. The clutch arm is cast. I'd take off the cover and have a very close look inside the hole in the arm where the cable passes. It might just possibly have a rough spot in there.

The other possibility is the pinch bolt insert as others have mentioned. I'm only aware of there being one of them that keeps the bolt from directly contacting the cable. They're easy to lose if you completely remove the bolt from the barrel.
@moto64 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1754
Location: S.Salem, NY
 
Molto Verboso
@moto64 avatar
'64 Motovespa 150S (177) , '65 VBB, '66 Allstate SF, '66 180SS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1754
Location: S.Salem, NY
UTC quote
usmusket wrote:
Tierney wrote:
If you are missing the little copper bits that go on both sides of the cable as it goes thru the barrel clamp, the the tightening screw will chew it up as you tighten it, causing an earlier demise.
+1
+2
@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
 
Style Maven
@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
One of the problems here is that the pinch bolt is horizontal and doesn't pivot when you clutch, flexing the able a tiny bit on every shift. Try to keep it vertical or use Ginch's trick. I use it & I like to grind the contact end of added cable outer into a ball shape so it can seat on the clutch lever how it likes. Grease the contact area.
Moto64 wrote:
usmusket wrote:
Tierney wrote:
If you are missing the little copper bits that go on both sides of the cable as it goes thru the barrel clamp, the the tightening screw will chew it up as you tighten it, causing an earlier demise.
+1
+2
Barrel clamp or pinch bolt, same thing, right? But I always thought there was only one puck or slug inside that clamps against the cable & was taught to always loosen the 7mm a ways from the 8mm and tap the whole thing down on the 7mm head to seat the puck against the screw with the cable under it and clamped against the body of the barrel.

So I opened an old one(presumably Pisaggio) and found only one and that it is steel(magnet), probably mild steel by the looks of the cable imprint. Also, looks like this one was used twice. I have used short slugs of heavy copper wire when I had to, maybe you'e seen one similar.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
UTC

Addicted
BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 943
Location: Nebraska
 
Addicted
BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 943
Location: Nebraska
UTC quote
Bad design
Should be designed like a clutch handlebar lever, where the cable goes through a barrel that pivots (rotates) in the lever, so the cable isn't being bent each time it is actuated. Hard to tell from the picture, but either the cable is being bent at the clamp every time the clutch is actuated, or being cut by the edge of the arm. The precise location of the breakage should tell you which.

Ideally the arm should have a round shape around the barrel, allowing it to rotate so the cable does not bend, and a slot for the cable pass-through, so the cable, except for incidental side contact, never touches the arm.

Looks like a good opportunity for an aftermarket replacement.
@ginch avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@ginch avatar
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
UTC quote
oopsclunkthud wrote:
Sharp edges where the cable passes through and flexing are the things that kill cables. I deburr the cable adjusters, tophats, levers...

Also the clutch arm on the largeframes (other than the GS/SS) does not let the cable clap hold the cable straight. This flexes the cable each time you pull the clutch. The following modification to the arm will keep things happy for a good long time.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
@oopsclunkthud avatar
UTC

Banned
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
 
Banned
@oopsclunkthud avatar
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
been thinking that the arm modification could be improved a bit more with a cable clamp that closed like a collet. Was thinking I'd make some, but did a search for such a thing this morning. found them in 1/16 and 3/64th, may still have to make my own...
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
 
Style Maven
@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
I like
Don't stop there, mount it through a hardened ball* or even better a gimbal Wha? emoticon


https://youtu.be/rpHYBz7ToII
*you reminded me of this guy and his home made EDM
@ginch avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@ginch avatar
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
UTC quote
Re: I like
V oodoo wrote:
... or even better a gimbal Wha? emoticon
How about this type? I was thinking you'd cut the eye part off and use it, but it would be even nicer if it could be threaded on to the lever itself. Even the biggest ones in this list are only $6. https://tinyurl.com/y2gcja59


External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
 
Style Maven
@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
Clap emoticon
Ginch's idea FTW! Even better and you could have zero slop and zero flex.

But we'll need to make something like this to connect the standard pinch bolt & cable. I wonder if ABS plastic would work for more than a short while. Off to find an old shift arm to trim and thread the shank...
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@charlieman22 avatar
UTC

Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4023
Location: california
 
Nedminder
@charlieman22 avatar
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4023
Location: california
UTC quote
Ginch's component is called a Heim joint - if it helps you search.

Would be the gold standard. Agreed.

They make a heim joint washer - tapered - so joint can pivot without being restricted. This would go on back and cable Wilkins thread trough.

Also - if joint fails. Washer is too large to go through eye - so u'd still make it to destination - though it might be dark, and you might be late...
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@charlieman22 avatar
UTC

Nedminder
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4023
Location: california
 
Nedminder
@charlieman22 avatar
62 VBB1T Round Tail W/ leaner sidecar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4023
Location: california
UTC quote
Quote:
This would go on back and cable Wilkins thread trough.
* this would go on back side of heim joint, and cable would thread through.

No idea who Wilkins is.
@ginch avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@ginch avatar
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
UTC quote
Wilkins. I tips me 'at.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
@ginch avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@ginch avatar
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8595
Location: Victoria, Australia
UTC quote
V oodoo wrote:
Clap emoticon
Ginch's idea FTW!
It was your idea! Just got me thinking.
charlieman22 wrote:
Ginch's component is called a Heim joint
Also known as a rose joint...
@waspmike avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
 
Ossessionato
@waspmike avatar
LXV 150 3v ie. Midnight Blue (Sold) Now Honda Zoomer X
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4106
Location: Kingdom of Lanna
UTC quote
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

This is still the simplest idea. 8)
@oopsclunkthud avatar
UTC

Banned
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
 
Banned
@oopsclunkthud avatar
3:5
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8909
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Ordered a set of dremel collets in a range of sizes (including 1.8 and 2.0mm) and started measuring up a holder. The collet should grip the cable without kinking it and the spherical end will match a recess I cut into the clutch arm. At least that's the plan. Still uses the 7 and 8mm wrench.
Clutch Cable Collet
Clutch Cable Collet
@v_oodoo avatar
UTC

Style Maven
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
 
Style Maven
@v_oodoo avatar
'74 50s x3 '78 P200 E '84 Cosa '91 PK50XL2 - & - '58 AllState '68 Sprint '66(?) Super125 and '72 DanMotor Super150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9511
Location: seattle/athens
UTC quote
Great idea Patrick, thinking outside the box to find the perfect way to grab the cable securely without damaging it.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
This from another recent thread* is giving me ideas now, any way to adapt to our clutches?
If you could find the right cable length and sort out an adapter on the clutch arm, it would be quite break resistant and easier to adjust.

* smallframe rear brake conversion I did
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2024 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0366s ][ Queries: 4 (0.0117s) ][ Debug on ][ 313 ][ Thing One ]