Cable Lubing Selection

[mustangfury]

Does anyone know of brands for cable lubers that definitely works? I have heard some stories about certain brands being hard going when using them.  Also, is it better to get a single screw or double screw and what are the benefits?  Finally, What kind of lube do you prefer to use - Tri-flow, WD40, Slick 50, etc.?

[Goat]

I've always had good luck with the ol WD40. I've also used some carbon based lubes with good results (my dad brought some home from Delphi/GM)

[Hillclimb#42]

Just know that you shouldn't lube the throttle cable, without some serious precautions. Anything in that cable can travel right into the top of the carb. I always leave that one dry and just adjust routing, if it ever seems to be bound up.

[mustangfury]

you leave it dry?  Do you mean you don't lube it at all?  Wont that cause the cable to wear quickly?

[Hillclimb#42]

I'd rather have a cable wear quickly than a cylinder. Seriously, I have pretty old bikes, and the throttles all work like new. We won't even start a bike that the throttle is not snapping closed on its own. Check out the carb's top chamber and how the cable goes in there. Then lube your clutch cable. Keep an eye on the little rubber boot at the end of the clutch cable and see how many rides it takes before that boot has no goop and grime seeping out.
  I think, the bearrings in the blind hole of the clutch release arm cause most of the drag. I have put grease on that shaft and it feels like new for about a half hour, but I'm too afraid of messing stuff up to attempt anything drastic. I decided to change those bearrings once, and it was near impossible. It took several days to find someone with the tool to get the bottom one out.

[mustangfury]

I can understand that the throttle works good. My bike is a '93 and i have had it for about 3 years and have never lubed it or the clutch cable.  They both work terrifically. No drag.  I just thought it might be a good idea to lube them sometime soon.  Most of my engine/cable experience comes from old yard equip(tillers,tractors,lawn mowers, etc).  Often the throttle is tough because it needs lubrication. I try to keep the cables lubricated to avoid sticking.  I assumed it would be the same for a dirt bike but you have a good point.  That's good to know.

In your opinion would it be a good idea to lube the clutch cable then?

When i turn the handle bars to the left the engine speed sometimes increases a little.  I thought it might be a lubrication problem. Would rerouting fix this? Is the best rout the one that keeps the cable the most straight? 

[Goat]

If it's working fine I wouldn't mess with it. I believe all cables now days have a plastic sleeve inside so the cable doesn't need lubed. I agree with hillclimb 100% on the throttle cable. If it starts to stick get a new one.

I route my throttle cable on the left side of the bike between the left fork and the frame. Depending on cable length I either route it above the left radiator to the carb or between the top and middle rad mount straight to the carb. The less bends the smoother it will be and also wont rev up when turning either direction.

[mustangfury]

I thought they might have done something different with the new cables too. Because, i know how easy those old ones stick up just after a couple season of sitting in the shed.  Thanks for the input.