Shop genuine Venhill cables for classic Triumph and Norton motorcycles at The Bonneville Shop. Our Venhill range includes clutch, throttle, speedometer and tachometer cables, each listed with its part number, model years and key dimensions.
Venhill Engineering has made control cables and hoses in Dorking, England, since 1970. Its Featherlight cables pair a marine-grade stainless steel inner wire with a PTFE (Teflon) liner for a smooth, light action.
Check the carburetor type, handlebar style and instrument type in each listing before ordering. Cables that look alike often have different lengths and end fittings.
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About Venhill Engineering
Venhill grew out of one rider’s frustration. According to Venhill’s company history, motocross rider Chris Ventress started making his own cables in 1968 because his kept breaking. In 1969 he teamed up with Colin Hill, and their surnames gave the company its name: Ven-Hill. Companies House shows Venhill Engineering Limited incorporated on 19 October 1970. It is still based at Ranmore Road in Dorking, Surrey.
Venhill added flexible drive cables for speedometers and tachometers in 1975 and braided steel brake hoses in 1982. Its PTFE-lined Featherlight range followed in the mid-1990s. Today the company makes cables and hydraulic lines for classic and modern motorcycles, quads, cars and karts, along with industrial uses (Venhill). Venhill says it has made parts for Triumph motorcycles since the 1970s (Venhill Triumph) and for Nortons over the same period (Venhill Norton).
For more classic British cables from other makers, see our Barnett, Doherty and Aerco brand pages, or browse the full Brands directory.
What Makes a Venhill Featherlight Cable Different
Venhill makes its clutch, choke and throttle cables to its Featherlight specification. That means a marine-grade stainless steel inner wire running through a PTFE (“Teflon”) liner to cut friction (Venhill Triumph). According to Venhill’s clutch-cable page, the PTFE liner means the cable doesn’t need lubricating. The end of each inner wire is also “bird-caged” so solder can soak into the strands, which gives a stronger bond with the nipple.
On a classic motorcycle, that means:
- Lighter lever and twistgrip action. This helps most in stop-and-go riding and on long rides.
- Corrosion resistance. The stainless inner wire resists rust.
- Less maintenance. You don’t need to oil the cable the way you would a traditional unlined one.
Whichever brand you choose, route the cable carefully. Sharp bends and pinch points add friction and wear to any cable.
Triumph Clutch Cables
Clutch cable length depends on the handlebar. A UK-specification low bar needs a different cable from the taller US-specification bars many Triumphs came with.
- The Venhill Featherlight clutch cable for the Triumph T140 Bonneville and TR7 Tiger with UK-spec low handlebars — 60-4168 UK is listed for 1973–1983 Triumph 750 twins with UK low-rise bars. It’s also a good choice when converting a US model to low bars. It comes with a rubber boot and an integrated long barrel adjuster with lock nut, and measures 50-1/2 inches overall.
For other years and handlebar heights, browse all classic Triumph cables and Triumph handlebars and controls. Clutch-side parts are in Triumph clutch and primary.
Triumph Throttle Cables for Amal Carburetors
Your Triumph’s throttle cable has to match its carburetor. The Amal 389 Monobloc and the Amal 930 Concentric need different cables, even on the same model.
- Triumph TR6 throttle cable, 1964–1967, Amal 389 Monobloc — 60-0519: for single-carburetor TR6 models with a Monobloc and US-spec handlebars.
- Triumph TR6 throttle cable, 1968–1970, Amal 930 Concentric — 60-0746: for single-carburetor TR6 models with a Concentric and US-spec handlebars. It may also suit later TR6 models through 1972. It does not fit Monobloc carburetors.
Both cables have an inline adjuster, a shouldered “top hat” ferrule at the carburetor end and a nylon-lined sheath. If you’re replacing the carburetor too, see our Amal carburetors and Triumph carburetor and fuel parts.
Triumph Speedometer and Tachometer Cables
Instrument drive cables are made for a specific instrument and drive. Using the wrong one can give a wrong reading or no reading at all.
- Triumph pre-unit chronometric speedometer cable, 44 inches — 60-0245: for pre-unit Triumphs with a chronometric speedometer.
- Triumph 1964–1965 magnetic non-spade tachometer cable — 60-0529: for early unit-construction twins with Smiths magnetic RSM-series counter-clockwise tachometers driven from the end of the exhaust camshaft. It does not fit chronometric rev counters. It has a 7-3/8-inch armored section to protect it near the engine.
See classic Triumph instruments for heads, drives and related parts.
Norton Commando Cables
- The Norton Commando 750/850 tachometer cable with spade, 29-1/2 inches, 1969–1975 — 06-1118 comes with the square spade connector.
Find more Commando cables in Norton cables, along with Norton instruments, Norton handlebars and controls and the wider Norton Commando parts range.
How to Choose the Right Venhill Cable
- Confirm the model and year. If you’re not sure, a Triumph parts book or Norton parts book will give you the factory part number.
- Check the handlebar style. UK low bars and US high bars take different clutch and throttle cable lengths.
- Check the carburetor. A Monobloc throttle cable won’t fit a Concentric.
- Check the instrument type. Chronometric and magnetic instruments use different drive cables and end fittings.
- Compare the dimensions. Hold the listed overall, sheath and free inner wire lengths up against your old cable.
Workshop guidance is in our Triumph manuals, Norton manuals and the Bonneville Shop Tech Blog. Questions about your application? Contact us before you order. Shipping and return details are on our Shipping & Returns page.
Venhill FAQs
Who makes Venhill cables?
Venhill Engineering Ltd, a British company in Dorking, Surrey, makes them. It was incorporated in 1970 and makes control cables and hydraulic hoses in the UK (Venhill; Companies House).
Are Venhill cables made in the UK?
Yes. Venhill says its cables and hoses are made in the UK (Venhill). Each product in our Venhill collection is listed as UK-made.
What does “Featherlight” mean?
Featherlight is Venhill’s premium cable specification. It uses a marine-grade stainless steel inner wire running in a PTFE (Teflon) liner, which gives a smooth, low-friction action (Venhill Triumph).
Do Venhill Featherlight cables need oiling?
No. Venhill says the PTFE lining removes the need to lubricate its Featherlight clutch cables (Venhill). Oil can also make a lined cable work worse, so follow the instructions supplied with the cable.
Which motorcycles does The Bonneville Shop’s Venhill range fit?
Our current Venhill range covers selected classic Triumph twins (pre-unit, 1964–1970 TR6, early unit-construction twins, and 1973–1983 T140/TR7) and the 1969–1975 Norton Commando 750/850. Every listing gives its own model-year range, so check that before ordering.
Do you carry Venhill cables for BSA motorcycles?
Right now our Venhill collection has no product listed for a BSA application. Browse our BSA cables for cables from other makers, or contact us about a specific BSA model.
How do I choose between the 60-0519 and 60-0746 TR6 throttle cables?
It depends on the carburetor. The 60-0519 suits 1964–1967 TR6 models with an Amal 389 Monobloc. The 60-0746 suits 1968–1970 TR6 models with an Amal 930 Concentric, and it does not fit Monobloc carburetors. Both are listed for US-spec handlebars.
Will a UK-handlebar clutch cable fit a US-model Triumph?
The 60-4168 UK cable is sized for UK-spec low handlebars. It’s a good choice if you’ve converted a US-spec T140 or TR7 to low bars. With the original US-spec high bars it will probably be too short.
What’s the difference between a magnetic and a chronometric tachometer cable?
Different instruments use different drive arrangements and end fittings. The 60-0529 cable is for 1964–1965 Triumph unit twins with Smiths magnetic RSM-series tachometers driven from the exhaust camshaft. It does not fit chronometric rev counters.
Can Venhill make a custom cable for a classic bike?
Yes. Venhill offers a bespoke, made-to-measure service for classic and vintage restorations. You send the dimensions or the original cable (Venhill bespoke control lines). Venhill’s US arm also posts guide prices for custom cables (Venhill USA).
How do I install a replacement cable correctly?
Follow the original routing. Avoid tight bends and contact with the exhaust or forks, and set the free play with the adjusters. Each of our cable listings includes notes on fitting it. For more detail, see the Triumph manuals and Norton manuals.
Where can I find the correct part number for my motorcycle?
Start with the factory parts book for your model. See our Triumph parts books and Norton parts books. Venhill’s own fitment search is the Venhill Part Finder. Then compare the part number and dimensions with our listing.