Speedometer cable lubricant

[JOHNDADDY]

Hello All,
I just bought a new spedo cable. What's the best lubricant for it?
3 in 1 seems to thin 80-90 to thick for our cold weather here.
What do you all think?

 

[Max Midnight]

Yamaha recommend their chain and cable lube or 10/30 SAE motor oil

 

[JOHNDADDY]

Thanks Max Midnight 10/30 it is, and I happen to have some.
Happy Friday!

 

[jetmechmarty]

I put 75W140 (synthetic) in my new cables. I haven’t heard any of them complain.

 

[AUTOMAN]

Nylon lined sheaths and cable do not need lube.
Dry if any.

Usually the lube dries and sticks like snot.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Nylon lined sheaths and cable do not need lube.
Dry if any.

Usually the lube dries and sticks like snot.

Why is Motion Pro selling this?

 

[AUTOMAN]

For profit.
Most cables are not lined, OK.

This may be ok for others.

Cables and sheaths lined with teflon or not needed, or desired.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Most cables are not lined

Ah! Key piece of the puzzle.

 

[5twins]

Yes, BMW cables were lined and it was specifically mentioned not to oil them. You just greased the ends that attached to the levers. But they did have a length of felt that fit in the adjuster that you were supposed to oil. This wiped a little oil on the cable as it passed through it. BMW put a lot of thought into the little things on their bikes, lol .....

They also had a replaceable nylon bushing pressed into the lever pivot ......

...... and here's what could happen if you didn't replace it in time, lol .....

And that depression around the top of the hole was for a specially sized wave washer, for anti-rattle and vibration purposes ......

 

[Adamc]

I’ve used 3in1 for many years on control cables; on bicycles and motorcycles without any problems. Even on lined cables I have not had clogging or snotty issues. I do live in Blighty however.

 

[Grimly]

For unlined cables I just use gear oil.
Nylon lined cables bit me the first time I encountered them. Oiled them up like normal and the next day they steadily got worse and worse. What a waste of money that was.
Possibly modern nylon cables won't be affected the same way, but I've no intention of finding out.

 

[JJames]

For unlined cables, not so much what you use so long as you use something.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

Got lost during the day, other things to do. House sitting, my bunny (Maybe I'll share some of our 37 yrs later)
had other things on her mind. I lied no 10\30 so I went in the middle and went 5\20 Thanks Max. It seeped all the way
through so it is. Tire's binding, won't free spin playing with that now. Had to walk away before I picked up the BFH.
New cable had graphite coating. Clutch and throttle cables were always light grease for me, worked fine.
This was about spinning speedometer cable. 5/20 there now, send it.
Thanks all for the help All.
Back to the deck I go. Gotta figure out this hang up.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

done. test ride tomorrow. I think she's good.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

Nice ride, about 3hrs. Front feels fine, speedo's messed up.
It goes to 60 when I'm doing 40 then up to 80 and sits there.
Won't return to zero unless I un hook the cable.
Odometer seems to be accurate though.
Anyone run into this before with an early model sportster (86).