Tomac's Cable Clutch

ML512
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Fantasy

It's real...

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DJS721
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Slip Window, OH US
11/4/2025 10:26am

Cool to see the fabrication on the slave / actuator, as well as the cable holder 😎

Tuesday Pit Bits

6
11/4/2025 10:33am

Welp, I guess all of us vet guys are going to have to go shopping for someone to fabricate up a cable clutch for our Austrian hyrdros... 🤣

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Tumic
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11/4/2025 10:39am
Welp, I guess all of us vet guys are going to have to go shopping for someone to fabricate up a cable clutch for our Austrian...

Welp, I guess all of us vet guys are going to have to go shopping for someone to fabricate up a cable clutch for our Austrian hyrdros... 🤣

You beat me to it. The same guys that never worn out a set of clutch plates in their lives and sworn by the flex of a steel frame

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early
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University Heights, OH US
11/4/2025 10:42am

Roger probably fab'd it up himself as 1 last project.

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The Shop

bvm111
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11/4/2025 10:46am

I honestly didn’t think it would or could happen … that is very impressive! 

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-MAVERICK-
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11/4/2025 10:47am

So, when was the last time a KTM had a cable clutch?

7
Homey55
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collinsville, OK US
11/4/2025 10:49am

If you think about it, the fabrication to convert hydro to cable is probably way easier than cable to hydro. God for them to give the rider what they want!

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soggy
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11/4/2025 10:57am

What’s he got for suspenders for those with the eagle eye?

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ando
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11/4/2025 11:01am
-MAVERICK- wrote:

So, when was the last time a KTM had a cable clutch?

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

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-MAVERICK-
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Ontario CA
11/4/2025 11:03am
ando wrote:

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

I don't know the answer, but I do know they've had an hydraulic clutch for decades. 

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soggy
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11/4/2025 11:04am
ando wrote:

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't know the answer, but I do know they've had an hydraulic clutch for decades. 

at least all the way back to 97/98

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ktmracer726
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11/4/2025 11:05am Edited Date/Time 11/4/2025 11:07am

1998 was the last year for the KTM 250 SX cable clutch. 

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Tumic
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11/4/2025 11:06am
ando wrote:

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't know the answer, but I do know they've had an hydraulic clutch for decades. 

98 was the last cable year.

soggy
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11/4/2025 11:08am
ando wrote:

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't know the answer, but I do know they've had an hydraulic clutch for decades. 

Tumic wrote:

98 was the last cable year.

Really?  I was pretty sure the 98’s had it. Long time ago though. 

1
ando
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11/4/2025 11:09am

Mixed thoughts about this.  

Obviously not technically difficult to do but KTM led the way with putting hydro clutches on production bikes; it’s kind of been one of the iconic features on their modern bikes.  Big call to put something bespoke on that probably will never be seen on any other KTM on the planet.

On the other hand I think is Tomac that picky and sensitive about it to insist upon a cable clutch when all of KTM’s titles in the last 25 years or so globally have been achieved with a hydro clutch.  But to mention that most other manufacturers these days have followed suit.

 

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ando
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11/4/2025 11:12am
ando wrote:

My 2002 400 and 200 both had hydro clutches…

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I don't know the answer, but I do know they've had an hydraulic clutch for decades. 

soggy wrote:

at least all the way back to 97/98

That would have been my guess - that’s when they did a major redesign where they introduced the PDS and started development of the RFS engine.

mx317
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11/4/2025 11:20am

As I posted in another thread, it is similar to the 23-25 YZ450F except in reverse. Stock the YZ came with a cable and had an adaptor very similar to the photos of Eli's KTM. The Hydro kit for the YZ just bolted in place of the mechanical clutch pushrod actuator and they just did the opposite. 

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PRM31
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11/4/2025 11:32am

I see it as a 'feel' thing for Eli. Not something I personally would want. Glad they satisfied Eli, happy that I get the hydro on my bike.

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TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
11/4/2025 11:45am
Welp, I guess all of us vet guys are going to have to go shopping for someone to fabricate up a cable clutch for our Austrian...

Welp, I guess all of us vet guys are going to have to go shopping for someone to fabricate up a cable clutch for our Austrian hyrdros... 🤣

I think there’s already a kit…? 

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Falcon
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11/4/2025 11:47am
1000004484
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gt80rider
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11/4/2025 11:54am

Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...

We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric start and hydro clutches,  both of which are regression from better set ups... 

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28
11/4/2025 11:56am

Nice thing about the cable is you can tell how the clutch is holding up. 

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ando
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11/4/2025 12:22pm
gt80rider wrote:
Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric...

Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...

We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric start and hydro clutches,  both of which are regression from better set ups... 

Yeah I’m thinking of improving my bike by going with a cable brake setup.  Apparently it improves the feel and is more reliable.

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davis224
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11/4/2025 12:30pm
gt80rider wrote:
Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric...

Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...

We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric start and hydro clutches,  both of which are regression from better set ups... 

ando wrote:

Yeah I’m thinking of improving my bike by going with a cable brake setup.  Apparently it improves the feel and is more reliable.

Steam power is the future

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TeamGreen
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11/4/2025 12:31pm
gt80rider wrote:
Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric...

Look at tomac pushing ktm to actually make advancements!! Good to see...

We will look back 10 yrs from now wondering wtf we're we thinking w electric start and hydro clutches,  both of which are regression from better set ups... 

ando wrote:

Yeah I’m thinking of improving my bike by going with a cable brake setup.  Apparently it improves the feel and is more reliable.

🤣

2
OwenJakes
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sebree, KY US
11/4/2025 12:39pm

You guys are idiots. I just bought a clydesdale. Catch up losers.

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TeamGreen
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11/4/2025 12:40pm
OwenJakes wrote:

You guys are idiots. I just bought a clydesdale. Catch up losers.

I hope you didn’t buy it from Budweiser! 

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usp4u1
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Chicora, PA US
11/4/2025 12:44pm

If that thing fails, this place will explode.

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Flatliner
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11/4/2025 1:02pm
PRM31 wrote:
I see it as a 'feel' thing for Eli. Not something I personally would want. Glad they satisfied Eli, happy that I get the hydro on...

I see it as a 'feel' thing for Eli. Not something I personally would want. Glad they satisfied Eli, happy that I get the hydro on my bike.

Agreed. I've ridden with a full Hinson cable setup which I loved, and now a hydro.  Suits me just fine, same for most mortal men I'd imagine.

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