I lubricated my M33 clutch cable the other day. I thought as I'd stripped the clutch, inspected it and put it all back together, I'd finish off by lubricating the cable, with a silicone spray.
This was a mistake.
I had used one of those little clamp on devices that takes the nozzle of some sort of thin spray lube. Although I've used this technique on Japanese bikes with great success, It made the clutch lever really heavy, almost as though the cable was rusty and un-lubricated. After a week of oiling the cable nearly every day I have restored the cable to its proper state.
Strange...
I've also made the opposite mistake, applying an oil can to a control cable with a nylon inner sheath. The sheath swells up, it becomes near impossible to pull the lever in. I've used the clamp on device ever since.
I've got over the problem, but what's going on here? Was the silicone spray just too thin for the job?
I think the spray to thin ,light oil best ,I found a NOS clutch cable I think bsa M series that has an inline grease nipple ,maybe WD
I use one of the clamp on tools to lubricate my A10 cables.
I always use WD40, it first flushes out the dust and old lubricant first then provides a thin lubricant to give a smooth cable. I use on cables with nylon liners and also on unline cables.
One well known manufacturer says:
All our control cables are Teflon lined, and do not need any form of lubrication.
Copper grease can be used on cable nipples if required.
How do you clean it? This is particularly relevant for dirt bikes. We recommend using WD 40 or a very light oil such as 3 in 1. This effectively washes away dirt from the cable, without clogging it.
Many customers insist on lubricating cables, we would say you don't have to but if you must, use a very light oil such as 3 in 1.
Hi,
BSA's advice on lined cables:
Best wishes...
Graphited oil? What's that? Phil
Hi Phil,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAUFIX-Quality-Graphite-Oil-Lubrication-Corrosion-Protector-300ml/353069004626?hash=item52348d7752:g:qNUAAOSwnlResU8h
Sometimes in Lidl
Best wishes...