Cable lubing

[Skunkhome]

The subject of cable lubing came up in a thread about lubing the chain. So I asked the question, " how do you lube the cables"? So far the question has gone unanswered. Rather than hijack that thread I will ask the question here. While we are talking we might as well include throttle cables as well as the brake and clutch cables. BTW I have done a search without finding a good answer.

[Water Warrior 2]

You are correct. We seem to have missed that subject almost entirely. As I mentioned in an earlier thread yo do not have to lube a clutch cable if it has a Teflon sheath around it. Otherwise it should be lubed.The choke cable and the throttle cables should all get a little lube.
Years ago I would use Dextron ATF to lube the cables as it was more a cleaner and less of a lube. It did work very well to free up sticky cables and such. I would follow up later with a light oil and everything was just smooth and effortless.
Don't forget the speedo cable either. It turns whenever the wheel turns so it is a constant use item. Undo the speedo cable housing at the speedo head and pull out the inner cable. It will be ugly sticky and dirty. Clean it up with kerosine , dry it off and apply some DuPont with Teflon as you slide it back into the cable housing. Make sure the bottom end seats properly. To check this just push the bike around to see if the inner cable is turning. If it turns then reattach the top housing to the speedo head.
Another rarely lubed item is the speedo sending unit. To lube it you have to remove the front wheel so you may want to wait till a tire is due and then complete the job. Just lift off the sending unit and lube the parts, then reassemble it.The sending unit only fits in one way and if it is installed wrong you will break it so be careful.
I also lube the footpegs pivots, shifter mechanism, rear brake pivots, side stand and switch. All of these things should be smooth with no binding or catching. A little TLC makes a bike run happier and prolongs it's life.
I leave it up to some one else to write up How To's for throttle, clutch cable and choke cable lubing. I'm just making and correcting too many spelling mistakes today.

[5th_bike]

I put some motor oil in the bottle cap and with a match stick I put some drops on the inner cables at the high end. It will work its way down.

Never done the speedometer cable in almost 10,000 miles, thanks WW. It's time for new tires anyway.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by 5th_bike

Never done the speedometer cable in almost 10,000 miles,

Never did mine, either. At 9000 miles it snapped, about 2" from the sender. :??:

[blaine]

I have always used a chain wax (PJ-1) because it will run through the cable and drip out before it jells.I just take my time & use the straw to spray it into the top of the cable.
:cool: