Cable lubing

[AKMac]

Hey guys, my clutch cable seems to be a little stiff. I was just wondering if anyone has any good tips on how to clean and lube it properly.

[wingnut]

The hard way

I had the same problem. I took a business card rapped (making a funnel shape) it around the handle end of the cable and rapped it with magic tape. I discomfited the lower end and filled the little funnel up with MMO. Let it drain and refilled it till I got MMO out of the bottom end. Blew it out with air as best I could and it’s as smooth as silk now. Or you could go to parts and more and buy the cable lube adapter.

[prometheus578]

"I can't adapt to the cable lube adaptor

Have two o' dem... have only worked properly on about three cables for me. I use the funnel method. But don't try to be smart and make a funnel out of duct tape. The lube you use has a tendancy to dissolve the adhesive and carry that gunk down into the cable. Then your cables will really stick.

[mro]

I stick one end thru bottom of plastic bag, electric tape wrapped on bag to about one inch below bag and then back up. Hang up over night. Place can under other cable end to catch dribbles.




mro

[AKMac]

So what are you guys using for cable lube?

[wingnut]

Magic Juice

MMO= Marvel Mystery Oil, available at AutoZone, Advance, Wal-Mart ECT

[prometheus578]

Some silicone cable lube stuff from work. Don't use WD40, as it evaporates too quickly, leaving you dry, again. Use it to break up rust and free the cable, but then run something else down it.

[charles]

oil coolers

i have a question is it an advantage to running oil coolers on xs`s i have a cooler to put on my xs but not sure if it is an advantage or not and is that metal tube that runs from the top of the head to the top of the crank case is where i splice to hook it up to the cooler .......can anyone answer this question for me

[pggg]

Chaz, good to have in a hot country but not a big deal, but the cooler plumbs to an adapter plate between the engine and the oil filter, not that rear metal oil line.

[charles]

ok is there a special plate i need to buy or is it already on the bike or is there a web site to check out about this

[xssiveone]

Originally posted by charles
ok is there a special plate i need to buy or is it already on the bike or is there a web site to check out about this

There is a special adapter plate that you need. It goes on first, with a special bolt, then the oil filter housing goes on. There are 2 fittings on it to connect each side of the oil cooler, which normally mounts to the 2 threaded holes near the top of the front frame tubes.

The odds of getting the adapter plate from a dealer are extremely remote. You might get it from a motorcycle wrecking yard, but more likely Ebay. They come up from time to time.

[charles]

ok cool thanks ill see what i can find out

[Geezer]

I've been using the plastic bag method to lube cables for years. I use either whatever oil is left over from the oil change or automatic tranny fluid.

The clutch cable on the Mongrel was so full of dirt, 24 hours later no oil was making it through. It was too stiff to work up and down so I chucked up the clutch end of the cable in a drill motor and spun it and worked it up and down in the housing. I figured I had nothing to loose since the cable wasn’t usable as it was. Anyway after a few seconds of spinning it with the drill, the dirt started to flush out and I’ve been using that cable for the past couple years.

BTW, I use ATF to lube my guns too and as thread cutting oil. It's good stuff and cheap...

Geezer

[xssiveone]

Originally posted by charles
ok is there a special plate i need to buy or is it already on the bike or is there a web site to check out about this

I just checked with a friend of mine today and he has one left over from his XS. Adapter plate, special bolt, cooling rad and hoses. He's asking $60 for it, but is open to offers.

Brian