cougar,
when I first read the manual I read it fast and like you it seemed they wre refering to a 6 1/2 " unthreaded rod,but if you read it slow it says
On the non-threaded end of the 6-1/2" [165mm] wire make a 90 degree bend 1/4" [6mm] from the end of the wire.
you are making a 90 degree bend 1/4" long on the unthreaded end on the wire{threaded portion} you allready cut to 6 1/2 inches.they do not want you to bend the threaded end of the wire.hope this helps you