[bman734]

Someone please explain how to lube the various cables on a motorcycle. It seems like a dumb question so who better to ask but me. I'm no mechanic and I'm sure there are others out there who likewise want to know how to do this properly.

[Ducati Scotty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6JO9f0Q6U&feature=relmfu

http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0182/

Scott

[Arizoni]

bman734
Now that you know the Professional way to do it, here is the Totally Unprofessional way to do it.

1.  Loosen the cable adjustment all the way and then remove the upper end of the cable  from the upper end at the grip.

2.  Get a oil can with the little pump lever attached to it and put some light weight oil (10-30wt or 20wt) in the can.

3.  Get a wide rubber band and cut it one place.

4.  Hold the tip of the oil can next to the place where the inner cable goes into the outer cable sheath and wrap the rubber band around the whole thing including back under the area where the tip and the cable rest against each other.

5.  Get an old rag and wrap around the end of the cable and the tip of the oil can.

6.  Pump the oil can handle to inject oil into the cable.  Pump it until you see oil coming out of the other end of the cable sheath.

7.  Remove the rag, the rubber band and the oil can and set aside.

8.  Hook the cable back up and adjust it to factory recommended settings.

It's a messy way of doing the job but it has been used for 80 years and it still works.

[singhg5]

I'm sure there are others out there who likewise want to know how to do this properly.

@bman734:

I don't know if the links to videos count as 'how to do properly' but here are my quick and easy ways to lube clutch and throttle cables on G5 ! They work well with least amount of effort - for a lazy rider like me   - and least mess ! Even though it is a good idea to know 'proper' and detailed methods but also good to know 'practical and quick' methods that do a good job so that you can decide which method to use at any time. The commercialised lube kits are more time consuming because they lube the whole cable. However, the lube usually rubs off from the cable at the opening of the sheath - where the cable comes out of sheath. In such circumstances, I think it is better to lube at the opening of the sheath rather than procrastinate and never do it - because one cannot find time to take out cable and lube it throughout its length and then readjust the cable.  

I frequently squirt lube at the ends where braided cable comes out of the sheath. I just push a bevelled edge of straw into the sheath and give a couple of sprays. For the clutch cable, it is the end near the clevis on the left side of crankcase (pic below). That kind of squirting is not shown in the clutch cable video - but I do it. Some people buy a syringe with a needle and use it to lube both ends of cable without taking out the whole cable. In brief - lubing at the ends is better than no lubing at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfnkPkDAAc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OQ3Do65Es

[Ducati Scotty]

These are all good points and I should be smacked for not mentioning them.  The thing is, this is a $10 tool.  That's cheap enough that anyone can afford to do it right.  Still, it's good to know how to get by when you don't have it so I thank my compatriots for chiming in.

Scott

[barenekd]

Get a can of Dri Slide. It's a graphite lube that is mixed with a liquid carrier. The can has a small tip on it that you can put at the intersection of the cable and housing.
Remove the cable ends from the levers as described above. Squeeze the can very lightly and the lube mixture will run right through the cable assembly. Then the liquid carrier evaporates and the graphite dry lube remains. It doesn't collect dirt and grime.
A little dab of grease on the pivoting cable ends also helps keep things pulling smoothly.

Bare