Lubing throttle cables

[hannibal]

My bike has been sitting for more than a year. I recently pulled the VM carbs off to check them and reinstalled them. I noticed my throttle was very stiff and wouldn't spring closed when I released it so I removed the cables.

I see the manual says to lube the throttle cables with motor oil every 3,000 miles and grease the throttle tube every 6,000 miles. Since I've never lubed or replaced the cables, I'm past due on this maintenance. I'm trying to understand how to lubricate the cables inside the housing. Any tips? Sorry for the rookie question but I haven't done this before. I also removed the throttle tube and will grease this before reinstalling.

FYI, if this doesn't fix the sticky throttle, I'll grease the throttle shaft on the carbs.

[steveb922]

If I'm not in a rush, I make a cup out of Plasticine or Blu-tac, squeeze it round one end of the cable in a sort of cup shape, hang the cable up,and fill the cup with oil. Leave overnight, longer if possible, and refill as required. Alternatively, I have two types of cable oiler. One is a hydraulic type, the other accepts the straw from an aerosol. It's probably easier if you google them for an example, rather than me try to explain here.

[Big T]

Buy the lube tool made by multiple places, like Motion Pro

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0182-Cable-Luber/dp/B0012TYX9W/ref=asc_df_B0012TYX9W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158603728&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12277868498017492456&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1024399&hvtargid=pla-460266440593&psc=1

Do Not lube anything on your carbs. If your carbs are sticking, find the problem and fix it

[Steve]

It might also be a good investment to simply replace the throttle cables.

It's still a good idea to lube the cables before installing, but new OEM cables are absolutely WONDERFUL.

.

[rphillips]

Anybody remember "Cable Lube", gosh that stuff worked good. Graphite suspended in a liquid that would evaporated. Appx, 4 oz. metal can with a tiny metal straw, appx' 3" long. Put the little straw down in the end of the cable & lightly squeeze till the liquid came out the other end, liquid would evaporate after depositing the graphite all up & down the length of the cable. No oil left to get gummed up with dirt & grit. Naw must of didn't work cause it ain't available anymore.

[LAB3]

Cut the corner off a plastic bag, slip the cut corner over the end of the cable and tape it to the cable sheathing. Put some oil in the baggie and let it sit upright for a few minutes, the oil will work it's way down and start driving out the opposite end (bottom) If you work the cable up and down inside the sheath it'll go a bit quicker. You'll end up with some oil dripping onto the carbs afterwards and in the case of my bike some may drop out of the speedo drive so make sure to clean up any drips off the disc before you roll or ride it.

[hannibal]

Thanks. Got the cables lubed and greased the throttle tube. It feels much better.

New cables are on the list.

[bwringer]

Buy the lube tool made by multiple places, like Motion Pro

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0182-Cable-Luber/dp/B0012TYX9W/ref=asc_df_B0012TYX9W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312158603728&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12277868498017492456&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1024399&hvtargid=pla-460266440593&psc=1

Do Not lube anything on your carbs. If your carbs are sticking, find the problem and fix it

It might also be a good investment to simply replace the throttle cables.

It's still a good idea to lube the cables before installing, but new OEM cables are absolutely WONDERFUL.

.

Yup and yup.

I know the manual says engine oil, but the aerosol stuff works a lot better and makes a lot less mess.

And yeah, at some point treat yourself to new OEM cables (clutch, too) and levers. Even if the old ones seem fine, the difference is astonishing. Like buttuh...

It's one of those little things, like replacing all the little rubber grommets and bumpers and hardware in the bodywork, that can make an old GS look and feel like new. The OEM parts are quite reasonable priced and massively better quality than the aftermarket crap.

[salty_monk]

I use cable lube with a needle applicator. Easier than any of the stuff above (yep I have a tool etc...).

Harley actually do one but there are bigger cheaper pots out there....

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/harley-lube

https://www.amazon.com/Bike-Aid-Dri-Slide-4oz-Needle-Nozzle/dp/B001F2Y25G

Mine is neither of these & I remember it being cheaper but it lasts a long time as you don't need much....

[hannibal]

Thanks for the tips. I know I ordered 2 clutch cables a while back. I might even have new throttle cables on the shelf.

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll ask here. I know OEM cables are recommended over aftermarket cables. But what do you guys use when changing handlebars? Do you find shorter (or longer) OEM cables from another bike?

[cowboyup3371]

Although I haven't changed mine, I have seen from other posts that is the basic recommendation

[salty_monk]

In general the GS1000S cables are closer to the right length. You can usually re-route the originals to get around the added length though.

[Phred]

There is a special tool that they sell at your local motorcycle shop for doing this. Attach to tool to the end of the cable and there is a little port that you spray lubricant into with a straw that comes with the cable lubricant. Spray and tool are less than $20

[Rob S.]

Yup and yup.

I know the manual says engine oil, but the aerosol stuff works a lot better and makes a lot less mess.

And yeah, at some point treat yourself to new OEM cables (clutch, too) and levers. Even if the old ones seem fine, the difference is astonishing. Like buttuh...

It's one of those little things, like replacing all the little rubber grommets and bumpers and hardware in the bodywork, that can make an old GS look and feel like new. The OEM parts are quite reasonable priced and massively better quality than the aftermarket crap.

One more yup.

Back in the day, we'd buy OEM parts because we probably didn't know we had a choice. There was no internet (all I can remember are J.C. Whitney catalogues). You'd go to the Honda or Kawasaki dealer and get your part.

I can remember hanging new cables in the garage and letting oil drip down them, but I'm all for these new-fangled tools and lubricants.

[Grimly]

I can remember hanging new cables in the garage and letting oil drip down them, but I'm all for these new-fangled tools and lubricants.

I can remember buying new cables with their new-fangled lining and oiling them. Created an unusable mess inside the cable as the nylon liner swelled and stuck.
Thankfully, nylon lined cables didn't seem to stick around too long and teflon lined ones became more available.