How to deal with a broken motorcycle clutch cable in an emergency?
2 Answers
You need to perform a forced deceleration and downshift operation. The gears of a motorcycle can actually be shifted up or down without using the clutch. It is best not to directly turn off the motorcycle's ignition switch. If you directly turn off the motorcycle's ignition switch, it may cause the engine to stall immediately.
Last time my clutch cable snapped, I almost got stuck on the highway. Emergency solution was push-starting: find a downhill slope or flat ground, push the car to about 10 km/h, quickly shift to second gear (first gear is prone to grinding), and simultaneously ignite the engine. After starting, don’t rush to shift to higher gears; keep the speed steady. When shifting gears, time it right—lightly push into gear when the engine RPM matches, like adding a bit of throttle before upshifting to reduce speed, avoiding forced shifting that could damage the gears. Remember to wear a helmet and protective gear; be careful not to slip during the push-start. Try to drive to a repair shop without delay—a broken clutch cable left unattended can cause damage to other parts. That time, I drove for 20 minutes to the repair shop; the clutch plate had minor wear but it was better than being stranded. Check cable wear before trips to save a lot of trouble.