New OEM Cables: to lube or not to lube

[Guest]

I ordered some OEM throttle and clutch cables to replace the existing ones on my bike as preventative maintenance. Do new Suzuki cables require lube? I've searched and read conflicting info. FWIW, the service manual says to lube with motor oil but I'm not sure if it applies to initial install of new cables or just periodic maintenance.

[bwringer]

New OEM cables are already lubed.

For future clutch cable lubrication (good idea to do this annually), buy a can of cable lube and a little lube injector widget at any powersports shoppe. (Usually only $10 to $15) This is far superior lubrication (the cable lube goes in very thin and helps flush out the cable, then becomes a nice light slick lube when the solvent evaporates), a whole lot less messy, and much faster than using motor oil and an improvised funnel.

Bear in mind the manuals were written over 30 years ago, before things like cable lube, chain lube, cable lube injectors, oil specifically for forks, and many other tools and chemicals were widely available.

[Grimly]

If the cables are Teflon or nylon lined you don't lube them. In the case of nylon lined (not sure how current that is, now), the wrong lube will royally screw them up.