cable lubricator

[Guest]

I ordered this from Z1 enterprises. Not sure how it works - didn't come with instructions, and nothing on their website. Anyone use this, if so, how does it work, and was it effective? I figured at $10 it was a cheap gamble...

https://www.z1enterprises.com/yamaha-xs650-cable-luber-cable-lubrication-tool.html

[allojohn]

Use it with a lube spray can with the straw attachment. Pull the slack on the cable and clamp on. Attach the straw and press the spray button......

Edit: Here's the Motion Pro explanation. And it's easier if you remove the cable first.

The Cable Luber installs over the end of the housing, and clamps over the inner wire. There is a port in the side of the tool where you can insert the tube from the spray can of lube, and then short bursts of the aerosol will force lubricant into the cable housing and down along the inner wire. The lubricating process will also clean the inner wire and housing of debris. Continue to inject cable lube into the cable after the lube begins to drips out of the bottom of the housing. At first the discharge will be dirty, but when you see clean lubricant coming out you are done. Make sure to have some extra shop rags around though, because it is a somewhat messy process.

[sharpy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG6JO9f0Q6U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQnMdOL09uY

[bobgroger]

More lube goes all over the shop than in the cable with those, but eventually new lube will come out the bottom. If the straw doesn't pop out at either end.

[mhobryan]

Thanks! Didn't think to try youtube.

[chuck hahn]

I cut the corner off a Zip Loc baggie just big enough for the end of the cable to poke through. Then i wrap the baggie to the cable with electrical tape so the lube doesnt leak out when i add it to the baggie. Then i dump in some oil and hang the baggie up much like an IV bag at the hospital. Work the cable in and out and it draws the oil into the sheath. Done.

[LAB3]

I cut the corner off a Zip Loc baggie just big enough for the end of the cable to poke through. Then i wrap the baggie to the cable with electrical tape so the lube doesnt leak out when i add it to the baggie. Then i dump in some oil and hang the baggie up much like an IV bag at the hospital. Work the cable in and out and it draws the oil into the sheath. Done.

Did mine with a injector type meat baster from the dollar store, worked but was still slow and messy. Love your idea, I'll keep that one in my pocket for next time!

[hillsy]

[Grimly]

I cut the corner off a Zip Loc baggie just big enough for the end of the cable to poke through. Then i wrap the baggie to the cable with electrical tape so the lube doesnt leak out when i add it to the baggie. Then i dump in some oil and hang the baggie up much like an IV bag at the hospital. Work the cable in and out and it draws the oil into the sheath. Done.

A variant of this (with a small funnel I keep for the occasion) works for me. I often leave them overnight, which allows excess oil to drip out.

[Steve]

On the flip side: I don't think I have ever lubricated a cable.

Yet, somehow, they seem to pull easily and last a long time. What am I doing wrong?

.

[Grimly]

On the flip side: I don't think I have ever lubricated a cable.

Yet, somehow, they seem to pull easily and last a long time. What am I doing wrong?

.

Depends on the cables. The Teflon lined ones last for years without any attention, but the naked unlined ones (which might be perfectly strong enough and of decent quality / or not) definitely need some flush out and lube every couple of years. The other variant is the nylon-lined, which often react badly to some lubes and swell up, making them useless, and a bound-up mess inside.

[LAB3]

On the flip side: I don't think I have ever lubricated a cable.

Yet, somehow, they seem to pull easily and last a long time. What am I doing wrong?

.

I've never messed with lubing a throttle or clutch cable up until this project but have always lubed my speedo cable, just seems to make sense that something that spins needs it. Did my tach cable too but it's still "slow" gonna tear into that in the morning.

[salty_monk]

I have one of those... PITA but they do work.

Nowadays I use INOX with a needle end. http://www.inoxmx.com/inox/mx-3-lubricant/

Harley has an own brand version of it that comes in a pen with a needle. https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/harley-lube

You can just slip it between the housing & the cable & squeeze.. much less hassle.

[bwringer]

It takes a little practice to use one of these lubricators without sending lube all over the place, but they're worthwhile. You sort of have to figure out how to juggle everything with only two hands to keep the tube from the can in the right place. I generally put a rag or paper towel over the whole thing in case of popouts.

However, over time and with experience I've just entirely lost any patience with cables that aren't 100% buttery smooth, and learned that aftermarket cables are expensive evil junk. The second a cable displeases me in the slightest way, I order up an OEM replacement. (And if it's a clutch cable, I generally replace the lever as well.)

I might lube a cable to get me or a friend through the next few days, but once you experience how much better the controls work and feel with fresh OEM cables, it's just not worth farting around with crappy, expensive Motion Pro or Parts Unlimited imitations. OEM cables and levers are miles better, last many times longer, and are generally quite reasonably priced, often less than the aftermarket junk. Once in a while you do run into an OEM cable that's NLA or backordered, but there's a surprising degree of availability.

[LAB3]

In my case, I started from ZERO as far as tools and supplies goes. It gets difficult to justify getting several different products knowing that when the project was done, everything would have to be packed on the bike, given away or thrown out when I was done. The guy who owned the cabin got most of a can of grease, tranny fluid and brake fluid. The only cleaner I used was Pine Sol, which gave the place a nice, clean bouquet of forest freshness when I left. I'm packing most of a quart of oil, chain lube and silicone spray. That sums up the list of what I needed to resurrect the bike after having sat 22 yrs, your results may vary.