Cable lubrication

[Fallout]

I've found a few threads on cable lubing and have been reading mixed opinions. A lot of people say just use engine oil, some say WD40, and some say buy a proper lube. Some people even say they shouldn't need lubing at all.

My clutch is more horrible to pull that Ann Widdecombe. I've isolated it to the cable as the points at the lever and gear box are pretty smooth. I've also picked up one of those cable luber watchamaflips that make it easy to spray a lube with a WD40 style pipe attachment in.

So the question is, what do people think is best to use?

[Paul the 6th]

Olive oil.

[Fallout]

Paul chimes in with his typical feasible yet ridiculous response that leaves you wondering whether he's serious or not. I suppose I could put a bed of lettuce inside the clutch cover as a sort of snack, since it would be nicely dressed after a few hundred miles.

Edit: As a side note, I thought I'd google olive oil lubricant but since the first link started "Is it safe to apply the olive oil directly inside the vagina?" I decided to stop.

[jambo]

There are 2 types of cable oiler. Those that need the aerosol pressure from a can to force the lubricant in (as I believe you have). These mean you want to use an aerosol based light oil.

The 2nd type are hydraulic, you pour your chosen oil in, and then add the pressure yourself using a piston or similar. In these I'd use an oil such as engine oil as it's plentiful, or a light oil such as 3 in 1 or similar.

Jambo

[Jayneflakes]

Buy yourself a cable oiling too (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003AMYBMI/ref=asc_df_B003AMYBMI9550587?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B003AMYBMI)l and use thin spray lube.

[Bibio]

just get a new cable. if a cable needs oiled then its fecked plain and simple. most modern cables are teflon lined and when that goes it gums up the insides so no amount of lube will sort it. even if its not a teflon lined one then big chance it will be rusting/clogging up.

new cable = £10-20. hassle of buying an oiler and oiling the thing = ball ache.

easy way to replace is. disconnect the clutch leaver end and electrical tape the new bottom end to the old top end.

disconnect the bottom end remembering that there is a tag you have to move out the way to get the end off.

pull old cable downwards while feeding the new one threw.

connect both ends of new cable and enjoy.

[Fallout]

I think you could be right bibio. At that price it makes sense. Though I've already bought one of those cable oiler things that Jayne linked to. I was lost in the moment of cheap tools!

[Sid Squid]

It's kinda irrelevant now as you've already got an oiler which dictates what you can now use. Try and get some general purpose oil in a can, WD40 is too thin to be much use for this.
If the cable is stiff there's little to be lost in trying to oil it, and I'd certainly try it before spending money on a new one. Cables are typically Nylon lined rather Teflon, if yours is then most oils will cause the liner to swell and jam the cable, so it would be a good move to know exactly what's going in there.
Don't wait 'til the cable gets stiff to oil it - make it part of your servicing and they'll last forever. My original ZX6-R clutch cable lasted over 90,000 miles with a squirt of engine oil now and then.

[Bibio]

nylon, teflon.. i knew it ended in lon :-)

[monkey]

I couldn't for the life of me get the aerosol type of cable oiler to work properly.

[Sid Squid]

I couldn't for the life of me get the aerosol type of cable oiler to work properly.
Me neither, I like the hydraulic type - much better job.

Bibio: You're quite right, some cables are Teflon lined, mostly they're Nylon - but it's hard to know, and the wrong one will swell and be useless no matter how well it's oiled.

[Fallout]

Sid, not really sure what you're suggesting. You seem to suggest it's worth oiling since it's knackered so might as well give it ago, but you're saying most lubricants will swell it if it's nylon. There's no way I can determine was it is, to my knowledge, so if you are suggesting oiling it, any idea what I'd use that would be nylon friendly? Cheers!

[Paul the 6th]

pssst... simon.... guess who's k1 is fixed....

[Fallout]

Wayheyhey! Well done mate! What's gonna happen to the SRAD now then? Giving it to Rob so he can get rid of his grandad bike?

Btw, just found this on flea bay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quality-Clutch-Cable-Suzuki-GSXR750-Y-K3-2000-2003-/220911879825?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item336f5fc691

Less than a tenner for a brand new after market one. Might be worth a punt.

[Mark_h]

I use silicon spray on my lined bicycle cables. Comes in yellow can and has many many uses around the house if it doesn't improve your clutch cable. Not sure if it's compatible with Mrs.Fallout's bits though.

However having felt your clutch I recon a new cable will do it no harm at all. If nothing else it will help retain the front-end components when your frame dissolves.

[Paul the 6th]

"Quality clutch cable" location: cardiff... For a start the listing title sounds like it's chinese, and then it turns out it's from wales which is TWO DOWN FROM CHINESE CRAP.


;) Not sure @ srad... will discuss with you on facebook :)

[Fallout]

Found some other in a similar price range, like Pattern ones from Wemoto. Will probably get one of those.

[Paul the 6th]

buy cheep, buy twice.
http://creaturecomfortsbradford.co.uk/images/budgies.jpg

[Bibio]

if your going to squirt oil then use dry chain lube or PTFE spray.

[carpet monster]

I use 3-in-1.

[yorkie_chris]

just get a new cable. if a cable needs oiled then its fecked plain and simple. most modern cables are teflon lined and when that goes it gums up the insides so no amount of lube will sort it. even if its not a teflon lined one then big chance it will be rusting/clogging up.

new cable = £10-20. hassle of buying an oiler and oiling the thing = ball ache.

easy way to replace is. disconnect the clutch leaver end and electrical tape the new bottom end to the old top end.

disconnect the bottom end remembering that there is a tag you have to move out the way to get the end off.

pull old cable downwards while feeding the new one threw.

connect both ends of new cable and enjoy.

You're right - but -

You can get another couple of k out of a knackered cable if desperate/tight.

Tie a small bag on top of the loose end, fill with lube and let it drain through. On mine I use a bit of GT85 and engine oil.

[Specialone]

I used to work for a cable manufacturer (9 years) so know a little about them.

The nylon lined cables are designed not to have lubrication, if you do lube them a oily paste builds up and creates more friction not less.

Some cables used to have impregnated lube but I'm not sure they were ever used for clutch or throttle cables.

The Teflon coating is a different thing altogether, it's applied cold then baked, creating a skin or layer on the cable, again not designed for additional lube.

So as bib and others have said, get a new cable.

[Bibio]

you learn something new every day. wondered what that skin was on some cables and now i know. cheers SP

cable oilers are good if you are going to restore an old classic and cant get a new cable or want to maintain the one you have.