It's a very straight forward solution using two bicycle chain split links and an archery bow string.
- Firstly you need to remove the cable and fixings from the hood by removing the countersunk allen screws on each side.
- Each end of the cable has a counter-sunk plate, we need to re-use these. It's a simple job to remove the threaded adjuster and fixed cable crimp. These are both secured to the counter-sunk plate by a small pin that is peened over. Grind off the peening and use a punch to drive the pin through.
- You should now have two countersunk plates. discard the rest.
- Next make a bow string. As you may have guessed I'm an archer so I have the tools and materials to do so. The particular string material I use goes under the brand name of "FastFlight". This is a HMPE fibre (High Modulus Polyethylene) which is very strong, extremely flexible and unaffected by moisture making it ideal for this application (as well as bow strings). The string I have made up will have a breaking strain of around 1000kg. Oh and the length of the string is 950mm I think.
- Next get two bicycle chain split links. I used SRAM 9spd Links as these are about the thinnest you can get and are easy to snap together and release. These are used to attach the loops of the bow string to the counter-sunk plates.
- Re-install the counter-sunk plates on both sides of the hood.
- Next thread the string through the hood. I first threaded a bike brake cable through, taped the string to one end and pulled it back through.
- Now working on one side of the hood, push one half of the chain link through the plate, loop the string on the other half and connect together.
- Do the same for the other side and test fit the hood.
And there you have it. A neat and simple solution that I can almost guarantee will last longer than a traditional cable.
It was dark when I fitted it so i'll take a photo in the daylight.
Cheers.
Slippy.