Author Topic: Soldering Cable Nipples  (Read 1890 times)

Offline philward

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Soldering Cable Nipples
« on: December 02, 2017, 10:28:05 PM »
I've got to shorten the clutch cable on the CR project - have had custom made rear brake cable made by Venhill (as brake obviously a bit important!) but they have a minimum charge and I just need the cable shortening a few inches. My research points to a special solder - anybody got any experience in soldering cable nipples and any recommendations?
Cheers
Phil
Current Bikes:-
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Offline hairygit

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2017, 10:52:39 PM »
If you have an old type cycle shop nearby (don't bother with places like Halfords) they may be able to point you in the right direction, or even do it for you. Another possibility could be to use a solderless nipple (one with a built in clamping screw) as fitted to the bottom of the cable it would be hidden from view. I've used them a few times over the years for mates that put stupidly high bars on bikes.

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Offline Tomb

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2017, 11:48:27 PM »
My experiences with Venhill on anything "special" is poor, they are only interested in £££ for standard stuff whilst pretending to cater for Specials.

If you need to do your own its more to do with the spread of the cable in the nipple countersink/counterbore than which kind of solder you use. Get that right and all works Ok.
Tom
'73 CB550 with CB500 engine café racer
'62 CB77 Sprinter
'70 CD175
'78 CB550 with sidecar
'80 Z50R
And a load of old Yamaha 1100's

Online AshimotoK0

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2017, 11:58:09 PM »
My experiences with Venhill on anything "special" is poor, they are only interested in £££ for standard stuff whilst pretending to cater for Specials.

If you need to do your own its more to do with the spread of the cable in the nipple countersink/counterbore than which kind of solder you use. Get that right and all works Ok.

+1 .... that's what I do. I met a bloke at an autojumble last year selling really long silver grey cables from Lambrettas and ferrules, nipples etc to make up 60's style honda cables yourself but never got  his details  :(
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Offline Moorey

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2017, 12:07:11 AM »
I've never had a problem with ordinary solder, make sure your cable is free of grease and clean before attempting to solder. You will need either a blow torch or a very big iron. to make sure the solder runs properly into the cable and nipple.

Online Bryanj

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2017, 12:08:50 AM »
Try and find an old style dealer who will probably have assorted solder on nipples, you should find a small hole for the steel inner to go through and on one end of it a larger concentric hole you need to mushroom the inner strands to fit the larger hole then warm the nipple and cable till you can fill the hole with ordinary multicore solder. As an ex MOT tester I would never pass a brake cable with a solderless nipple


Offline Woodside

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2017, 07:25:35 AM »
+ 1 or 2 or 3 what ever it is now...
just splay the cable strands out in the nipple amd flow - flood with solder so its locked in
used to do this with push bike cables when needed years back in my dads garage ....and continued on various motorbikes todate...

Offline paul G

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2017, 10:14:00 AM »
I did mine with a solder pot and plumbing flux as it says on venhill web site worked a treat.
As other posters have said splay out the strands.
If you go on Venhill web site there is a guide telling you how to do it. :) :)
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Offline philward

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2017, 11:34:29 AM »
Thanks everyone - really helpful. I have looked at youtube but they mostly say don't use ordinary solder but based on your wealth of experience, I''ll have a go. I agree about Venhil, I bought all the components to make up the custom back brake cable for the CR (based on their telephone guidance) then made up the cable so I knew it was right - then sent it off the Venhill for soldering expecting tp pay their quoted minimum charge for crimping the cable ferrals and soldering the nipples. They made up a new cable, charged me £48 (their minimum made up cable cost) and returned all the parts I sent them! When they rang for payment and I spoke to the 'engineer', he said he prefers to make them up himself - and basically take it or leave it. Won't use them again (although their brake line components are good).
Many thanks again
Phil
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline Tomb

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2017, 11:49:04 AM »
I built a HD chop (not for me) which needed extra long clutch cable for fitment to the Harley clutch lever, Venhill made up the cable and sent it but minus the end that fits the Harley lever as "we don't stock those fittings", and charged me lots for an unfinished cable that was no use at all.

I won't use them again.
Tom
'73 CB550 with CB500 engine café racer
'62 CB77 Sprinter
'70 CD175
'78 CB550 with sidecar
'80 Z50R
And a load of old Yamaha 1100's

Offline neat street

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2017, 12:56:04 PM »
As already said splay the cable, but just as important is to make sure the nipple and cable get hot enough for the solder to `weld` to both parts! Place a good coating of flux on both parts and would suggest a small gas blow torch with a small focused flame

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Offline Yamahawk

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2017, 04:28:41 PM »
Jim, my cable guy at Homer's Cycle in Toledo, uses silver solder, and a small butane torch in the vise, and he has built me many cable, cheap. I go to him for all my stuff. Flux, heat, and solder your cable and nipple with silver solder, it has a higher tensile strength than regular 50/50 or lead free solder.
Charlie

Offline mike the bike

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2017, 05:42:20 PM »
+1 on the silver solder and a decent flux.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline Tomb

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Re: Soldering Cable Nipples
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2017, 08:41:03 PM »
+1 more, but its bloody expensive >:(
Tom
'73 CB550 with CB500 engine café racer
'62 CB77 Sprinter
'70 CD175
'78 CB550 with sidecar
'80 Z50R
And a load of old Yamaha 1100's

 

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