Is cable lube really worth it?

[VenomRS4]

Im just wondering. The cables on my Tri- Z are getting a little stiff and I dont have any cable lube. So I stopped at my local motorcycle shop and was amazed to see a price tag for $11! Is there anything less expensive that i can substitute such as silicon spray? If I can spend $3 instead of $11...I will.

What do you guys use / recommend?

[RedRider_AK]

WD-40. All you need to know.

[cr480r]

WD-40. All you need to know.

well said red rider... I tried a couple different brands of cable lube before switching back to the stuff that actually works...

[rally4x4racer]

I use and recommend PJ-11 or whatever Yamaha calls it. You are getting ripped off tho - I paid 6$ for mine and that seems a stiff. Try DK or someone online.

I think it is well worth it knowing it is specifically formulated and designed for cables. The cable lube tool is a must.

[Dirtcrasher]

I find that once I lube them I have to keep cleaning them and lubing them - often. That lube just attracts dust and dirt and works great for a few rides but then the parties over!

I too like WD-40 and I have used silicone lube also, whatever is on the bench.....

[Rustytinhorn]

WD-40. All you need to know.

Amen. .

[TwoHundredEx]

Another for WD-40

[Aka_am]

why don't you...like make a cap for the cables? kinda like seal savers? but use electrical tape or something?

[rally4x4racer]

.....looks like I may be trying something new next time

[RedRider_AK]

why don't you...like make a cap for the cables? kinda like seal savers? but use electrical tape or something?

I think some RTV silicone would work pretty well for that...

[cr480r]

The cable lube tool is a must.

I could never get mine to work properly. It was motion pro brand so maybe thats why... idk.... Now I just make a small funnel and tape it onto the cable housing, then work the cable back and forth until lube comes out the other end....

[super90]

I use chain lube. You can buy it for a couple bucks at walmart, and you can use it for cables and lots of other things too.

[Nick_R_23]

PB BLASTER OWNS ALL!!!!!

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[300rman]

PB BLASTER OWNS ALL!!!!!

-Nick :TrikesOwn

AMEN! ;) :D

[hondahaulic]

Now I just make a small funnel and tape it onto the cable housing, then work the cable back and forth until lube comes out the other end....

I do something similar, but instead of a funnel I fill the corner of a wal-mart sack with oil and zip tie it to the end of the cable so I have an oil filled bulb at the end of the cable. then I can lightly squeeze the bulb with my hand to force oil through, as I work the cable back and forth.

[jasonb01]

If your cables are too far gone for lube and you need new ones, are the aftermarket cables you see on Ebay any good or should you really go with OEM Honda cables? Just wondering if cables is not a good place to skimp on, money wise? Oh, and I vote for PB Blaster. That stuff is great!

[rally4x4racer]

I could never get mine to work properly. It was motion pro brand so maybe thats why... idk.... Now I just make a small funnel and tape it onto the cable housing, then work the cable back and forth until lube comes out the other end....

it was kind of hard to get the knack of it but once you get it you can adapt it to almost anything. When i put the lube tool on a cable and put the straw in the hole it sprays out the other end of the cable. Maybe that is why I get good results with the lube?

I go through PB Blaster like a crackhead goes through lighters. In fact, only use WD-40 for cleaning stuff!!

[mdskinner731]

i use stuff called "free all".. and it does just that.. it works both when cold and when warmed up.. wd-40 works good cold and PB blaster works good warmed up.. best of both worlds and i think it puts both of em to shame.. ill never go back
check it out>>> http://www.freealloil.com/freeall.html

[VenomRS4]

have you guys ever used tri-flo? I love using it on stuff like this and it seems to last longe than wd40. And best of all, it smells like bananas!

[rally4x4racer]

that PJ1 smells good too

this guys says no chain lube? http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc8.html and backs up the WD-40 trend.

Motion Pro recommends lubing your cables every ride or two which seems excessive - but also "in line" with what that dirt crasher guy said :shiftyeyes:

[ATCT]

this guys says no chain lube? http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc8.html and backs up the WD-40 trend.

Where does one get powdered graphite to mix with the WD40? I've never seen it.

[rally4x4racer]

better yet - how do you get it in the cable?

[super90]

Use the little tube the wd40 thing come with and spray it down in there.

[cr480r]

it was kind of hard to get the knack of it but once you get it you can adapt it to almost anything. When i put the lube tool on a cable and put the straw in the hole it sprays out the other end of the cable. Maybe that is why I get good results with the lube?

Yeah maybe my cable tool was defective... It would either not seal on the housing, or plug the passageway and blow lube back in my face...

[Nick_R_23]

Where does one get powdered graphite to mix with the WD40? I've never seen it.

If im thinking of the right stuff, thats what is used to lubricate key locks, like on your house and car. You should be able to pick it up at a locksmith or hardware store. If you go the cheap way, its basicly powdered pencil lead. ;)

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[ATCT]

If im thinking of the right stuff, thats what is used to lubricate key locks, like on your house and car. You should be able to pick it up at a locksmith or hardware store. If you go the cheap way, its basicly powdered pencil lead. ;)

-Nick :TrikesOwn

Ah, ok, I think I know the stuff. Essentially it works as a silica, and helps the cable slide. Guess it's worth a shot.

[hondahaulic]

I live on a farm and we used to use powdered graphite to lubricate internal parts of our planter. It comes in big bottles (a little larger than a 20 oz. pop bottle) and we mixed it directly with the seed to lubricate internal parts. If any of you live near a John Deere or any other tractor shop they can probably help you out.

[bigreddaddy]

If your cables are too far gone for lube and you need new ones, are the aftermarket cables you see on Ebay any good or should you really go with OEM Honda cables? Just wondering if cables is not a good place to skimp on, money wise? Oh, and I vote for PB Blaster. That stuff is great!


I bought a bunch of Motion Pro cables and haven't had any problems. WD40 is the shitt. I even use it and a lighter to kill wasp nests (no kiddies, do not play with lighters!:eek: ).

[blue27]

PB BLASTER!!!!

also I turn my bars so the the lever is up(turn right so clutch lever is up, gravity in this case is your friend, lol)) turn the adjuster screw so that the "slot" is up and fill with PB BLATER and work cable back and forth, Built in cable luber!!!