Topic: OEM Honda cables -- lube or not?

[edbikerii]

I've read in various places on the internet that the teflon or polymer lined cable housings do not require cable lube.  In fact, I've read that lubing such cables can cause the linings of the cable housings to degrade, swell and bind the cable, causing poor operation and premature failure.  Are our OEM Honda cables are of this design?

I looked through the CB500/CB550 Honda shop manual and there doesn't appear to be any reference to lubing the cables.  I may have missed this, because the PDF manuals on this site are not text-searchable, so if someone knows where to find this in the shop manual, please point me to it.  I was trying to find the lubricant recommendation from Honda as well.

Can anyone verify that this is the case with our OEM cables?  Do you know if this applies to throttle, choke and clutch cables, or some combination of them?

I sure don't want to ruin my nice brand-new cables before I even install them!

[vames]

Last year I "lubed" new OEM throttle and clutch cables with a pressure-can product of chain wax that said boldly on the front it was also for cables (don't remember the name but it was in a brownish can). What a mistake. First, they seized a few times when the temperature was down near freezing (I ride around NYC in the cold all the time). Then I tried to "wash" them out by pumping some WD40 through and it worked for a while, but shortly after, the clutch seized completely at all temperatures. Now, I'm running no lube on new OEM cables and they work fine.

I still have that seized cable and plan on doing an autopsy at some point but haven't gotten the chance.

I've heard good things about dry graphite lube products that are available but never seen or tried them.

[edbikerii]

Yeah, I vaguely remember lubing my new Motion Pro clutch cable with a spray chain/cable lube when I installed it more than 10 years ago, and soon after I had the same problems (also in the cold in NYC).  I'm pretty sure that cable soon failed, and I replaced it with another Motion Pro, this time unlubed.

Luckily, that was a long time ago and I haven't had any problems since then, so I'm not really sure my recollection is 100% accurate!

Funny how if you just follow the often repeated "conventional wisdom", sometimes you end up ruining your brand new parts, and getting stuck somewhere.

[vames]

You still in NYC? Seems there are fewer and fewer of us old honda riders here every year. It's a fairly hostile environment for bikes. I, for one, can't wait to do some sub-zero rides up to the palisades or bear mountain if it ever gets cold.

[BobbyR]

You still in NYC? Seems there are fewer and fewer of us old honda riders here every year. It's a fairly hostile environment for bikes. I, for one, can't wait to do some sub-zero rides up to the palisades or bear mountain if it ever gets cold.

I live about 20 minutes from Bear Mountain. I don't ride uder 40F. So if you see an old Honda during a sub zero ride there, it ain't me. 

[UnCrash]

I just got a cable luber and spray which I was going to use on my throttle cable...

Anyone here have feedback on that?

[edbikerii]

I'm in NJ now.  Just a minute or two from the GW Bridge.  I'm hoping to get out this Sunday if my cables come in and the weather holds up.  I'll shoot you a PM if I head up to BM again.

I hate riding in the cold anymore.  I used to commute to work by bike year round, but I can't take the cold anymore.  Plus my charging system is not up to the Widder and Gerbings gear I've got.  I've also got some LEDs on order to try and help with electrical consumption.  I want to extend my riding season again.

You still in NYC? Seems there are fewer and fewer of us old honda riders here every year. It's a fairly hostile environment for bikes. I, for one, can't wait to do some sub-zero rides up to the palisades or bear mountain if it ever gets cold.

[edbikerii]

If it is the OEM cable, I'd hold off on that.  I'd try to just clean it out with WD40 maybe.  Maybe it is gunked up with crud or old sticky lube?

I've read that lubing them is really just a last ditch effort to save them, but they're basically going to break on you soon anyway, so you should replace them.

I just got a cable luber and spray which I was going to use on my throttle cable...

Anyone here have feedback on that?

[vames]

Keep me posted on rides.
I always feel like I get a few extra hp on my 400f (or my old 750f) when it gets below 40. Not quite to the same extent as when I used to ride a two-stroke, but definitely noticeable.

And hopefully this winter won't be marred by constantly walking out to find out I can't ride because of frozen seized cables!!!!

[Steve F]

I don't have a cable lubing device, and I've always just sprayed some silicone on the cable to let it wick down the inside until it dripped out the other end.  I've only been successful with this while the cable was off the bike and hanging vertically.
I have tried using oil based lubricants before, and the cable would then bind or be sluggish.  That never happened with silicone.

[rhinoracer]

My experience is the same, trying to keep my bike in top shape I lubed the clutch cable as per the spray can instructions. Two rides after that the cable seized and had to replace it.

Since then no more lubing the cables. I should say it was a modern bike and i have never owned an old bike until now, but I have no experience with my 750K1 cables yet.

I'm pretty sure old style cables where the steel cable slides directlly against the steel coil wrapping need some kind of lubrication to prevent wear and reduce friction.

But to answer your question, I don't know if NEW cables for OLD bikes are exactly like the originals. With Motion Pro you could call and ask their tech line but I doubt Honda has a tech line and if they do I doubt they'll know the specific construction of your cables.

[754]

I never use SOLUTION-In-A-CAN..

 when motor oil will do, -40 it wont freeze

 I bought some Barnett cables (used to be a dealer), I liked the nylon lined, tied the throttle one in about a 4 in dia knot and could easily push-pull the cable with 2 fingers..

 They manufacture mostly Clutches and Cables and are good at it..

[TwoTired]

I've been using a product called Dri-Slide.  It's black.  I think it has graphite in it.  Don't know about new cables though.  I haven't replaced one in ten years.

Cheers,

[edbikerii]

I've looked up Dri-Slide, and it sounds like a great product.  Goes on wet with solvent to penetrate, solvent dries, leaving behind dry graphite lubricant.

I'm curious though.  Do you apply it regularly as a rule, or do you only use it when you feel it is needed?

I've been using a product called Dri-Slide.  It's black.  I think it has graphite in it.  Don't know about new cables though.  I haven't replaced one in ten years.

Cheers,

[bryanj]

NO NEVER EVER on OEM cables maybe yes on aftermarket ones.
You are correct the originals are nylon lined outerers withrubber(ish) coated wire and lube swells both till they bind. This INCLUDES WD 40 or similar as ALL the air arsole canes are Butane propelled and it the petroleum bits that cause the problem

[TwoTired]

I have several bikes that I switch between.  If a cable on one seems more draggy than the others, it gets a bath in dri-slide.  There is some interaction with wet weather, too.  Bikes ridden in the rain seem to need a more frequent dose.  I'd estimate every 2-3 years they get serviced.  But, if a bike was left out in the elements, I expect it would need more frequent attention.  I should note that our weather patterns are quite mild.  We average 14.4 inches of rain per year.  And we can go 6 months with no rain at all.  Then there is the bike wash routine as a factor.

To keep any rust at bay I sometimes add a drop or three of Dillon Blue Magic, which I got from Dillon Precision.  I think it is a synthetic oil with "teflium" in it, what ever that is.  It says Flouropolymer on the label. Sadly, it is no longer in their catalog.  But, they now sell this which looks interesting.  I might try it if my current 1oz, bottle ever runs out.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/24848/catid/16/Snake_Oil_0_5_oz__Bottle


I must say, the Blue Magic has never-ever congealed and seems to help repel water.  It seems to keep the dri slide in place nicely, too.

FWIW

Cheers,

[obnoxshuz]

edbikerii ,  BobbyR , vames ,  good to know that there are other NYC metro members here....

I am in Dumont, NJ which is 20 mins. from the GW bridge...

( didn't mean to hijack this thread... )

[BobbyR]

edbikerii ,  BobbyR , vames ,  good to know that there are other NYC metro members here....

I am in Dumont, NJ which is 20 mins. from the GW bridge...

( didn't mean to hijack this thread... )

Dumont!, I work directly across the river in Yonkers. I could wave to you from there. I live up in Northern Westchester not far from Bear Mountain. Nice riding up here. Maybe we can get a small ride together with some of the local boys.

[edbikerii]

I'm up for it on Sunday, if my throttle cables come in and the weather holds up.  So far yahoo is saying it will be nice on Sunday.

edbikerii ,  BobbyR , vames ,  good to know that there are other NYC metro members here....

I am in Dumont, NJ which is 20 mins. from the GW bridge...

( didn't mean to hijack this thread... )

Dumont!, I work directly across the river in Yonkers. I could wave to you from there. I live up in Northern Westchester not far from Bear Mountain. Nice riding up here. Maybe we can get a small ride together with some of the local boys.

[BobbyR]

I'm up for it on Sunday, if my throttle cables come in and the weather holds up.  So far yahoo is saying it will be nice on Sunday.

edbikerii ,  BobbyR , vames ,  good to know that there are other NYC metro members here....

I am in Dumont, NJ which is 20 mins. from the GW bridge...

( didn't mean to hijack this thread... )

Dumont!, I work directly across the river in Yonkers. I could wave to you from there. I live up in Northern Westchester not far from Bear Mountain. Nice riding up here. Maybe we can get a small ride together with some of the local boys.

Ed, it could work out. Throttle cables are really important. It is tough to ride safely when you are reaching under the tank working the throttle plate . Two good things have come from this post. Found some fairly local riders and got me off my butt to order a new set of cables.

[obnoxshuz]

Same here, I am waiting for push pull throttle cables, master cylinder rebuild kit and a speed bleeder... Hopefully they come in by Saturday.

[edbikerii]

Bad news, guys.  I just got an email that my cables shipped TODAY via UPS GROUND.  I guess I won't get them by Sunday, so no riding on Sunday for me.

Sorry!

[turin39789]

I just looked up dri slide too, I've got a bad noise coming from I think m tach or speedo, and it was recommended that I lube them.  I found this thread when trying to figure out exactly what to lube them with, unfortunately it doesnt look like dri-slide is available locally.

Anyway, found an interesting blurb about dri-slide while googling for it's main ingredient and ending up at wikipedia

"During the Vietnam war, a commercial molybdenum disulfide product, "Dri-Slide", was used for lubricating troops' weapons; the military refused to supply it, as it was "not in the manual", so it was sent to soldiers by their parents and friends privately.[2] Another application is for coating bullets, giving them easier passage through the rifle barrel with less deformation and better ballistic accuracy."

[rangelov]

Been using Dri-Slidefor 30 years.