My Polymath

I live with a polymath. J helped me put on my new clutch cable. He was just going to observe while I did it, but I got to a certain spot and was stymied. Brian, the parts guy at Ehlerdings gave me some pointers; put the cable ball inside lever handle while handle is unfastened thread through all the guides,  put lock washer on before inserting into bottom cable adjuster then add second threaded washer and  hook up the cable at the bottom first, then slide lever handle into slot making sure groove for slipping the cable through is lined up. He told me to take note of the positioning of the lock washers on the old cable and start with them in same position, then adjust freeplay with the clutch lever. Some tips I read online said to insert a nickel into lever gap to get just the right amount of freeplay. The first time I started the bike and tried shifting, it didn't work. I was really discouraged and was ready to give it up for the night, but even though the clutch wasn't engaged, J's curiosity was. He kept fiddling and fiddling with it. He tried shifting the bottom adjuster to allow the clutch to fall back farther and the next time I started my bike, it shifted fine. It also took off with a lunge and almost put me through the gargage door. More fiddling ensued and this morning I leathered up and rode to work with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and pride in myself and my guy!