Modern Vespa

My cables break too often for my liking. Any suggestions for a product that would perform better than the bile cable type replacements.

Welcome to MV

This thread has been moved to the Not So Modern Forum. That's where the folks who are shifty Vespa (and occasional Bajaj) enthusiasts tend to hang out, giving you a better shot at a quick answer. NSM is home to all shifty Vespas, regardless of year and model.

If you are buying bicycle cables, you are not necessarily getting the gauge and tensile strength that Bajaj intended.

Might also take a look here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bajajscooter/

That group is specifically about Bajaj Chetak and Legend scooters.

If they are breaking at the levers more than likely you've got burrs or rough edges wearing on them. Also check the hole in the lever where the cable barrel sits. Make sure the barrel can rotate freely. A little grease would help. Grease your cables as well and don't put W-40 on them.

All cables are not the same, buy a good quality cable, in this case how much you pay is going to represent the quaity. Also maintainance of the cables is important, lube them.Also make sure the parts there pulling or pushing are also in good order.

grease am before fitting ... a big blob between finger n thumb n pull cable through it ....
i wouldnt use wd40 ... only use that shite on loosenin nuts n dispersing water

If you are getting cable inners from a bicycle shop you are definitely getting too small a gauge of wire and they will break and won't run in the outers properly.

Call the guys at scooterwest.com. They can give you guidance on what you need. The best cables have a teflon lined outer and the fitted matching inners will work great. There have been several threads on how to swap out the outer cable part using a double length inner to help running the new through the body. Many people will never see a cable break, and if you have had several in a short time something is wrong.

Scooters Originali in Pennsylvania, closer than others to you and a good shop. Or there is my favorite, Scooter Mercato in Georgia. Both would probably have the cables you need.

The cables are breaking at the rear where they are fastened ...I guess Otis like folding a wire back and forth until it snaps[/url]

Is it your clutch cable that is breaking? If so I would look at that actuating arm. Often the culprit. Bajaj ones are often cause the cable to wear prematurely. Not sure if yours is interchangeable with a Piaggio one but might be worth looking into as it is a better design.