Clutch cable lube trick?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 189
Likes: 123
From: Ottawa
Clutch cable lube trick?
M8 2023 RKS here.
Is there a trick to exposing enough clutch cable at the lever in order to use a Motion Pro lubing tool?
I compressed the tension spring at the lower end to afford as much slack as possible, and detached the lever end, but still couldn't get enough cable exposed for the tool. Squirting directly into the sheath is nearly impossible, even after trimming the red spray tube to a fine point.
Wondering if I should just wait until I'm doing a full clutch adjustment. It's a new bike so not urgent.
Is there a trick to exposing enough clutch cable at the lever in order to use a Motion Pro lubing tool?
I compressed the tension spring at the lower end to afford as much slack as possible, and detached the lever end, but still couldn't get enough cable exposed for the tool. Squirting directly into the sheath is nearly impossible, even after trimming the red spray tube to a fine point.
Wondering if I should just wait until I'm doing a full clutch adjustment. It's a new bike so not urgent.
M8 2023 RKS here.
Is there a trick to exposing enough clutch cable at the lever in order to use a Motion Pro lubing tool?
I compressed the tension spring at the lower end to afford as much slack as possible, and detached the lever end, but still couldn't get enough cable exposed for the tool. Squirting directly into the sheath is nearly impossible, even after trimming the red spray tube to a fine point.
Wondering if I should just wait until I'm doing a full clutch adjustment. It's a new bike so not urgent.
Is there a trick to exposing enough clutch cable at the lever in order to use a Motion Pro lubing tool?
I compressed the tension spring at the lower end to afford as much slack as possible, and detached the lever end, but still couldn't get enough cable exposed for the tool. Squirting directly into the sheath is nearly impossible, even after trimming the red spray tube to a fine point.
Wondering if I should just wait until I'm doing a full clutch adjustment. It's a new bike so not urgent.
Remove cable from clutch and support it vertical...
make a funnel out of an old folder or similar...
tape it around the top of the cable so that any oil put into funnel has no where to go but down inside the cable.
put a few drops of a good lube like 3in1 oil and allow to sit overnight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 993
you can add an OSE stuffing tube oiler clamp but it does stick out.
HOWEVER, buy a cable with a teflon liner and forget the oil. i use a russel cable, nary a drop of oil since i installed it early 2000's.
HOWEVER, buy a cable with a teflon liner and forget the oil. i use a russel cable, nary a drop of oil since i installed it early 2000's.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 189
Likes: 123
From: Ottawa
It does have a plasticky liner... part of the reason why the plastic spray tube doesn't fit. I'm guessing that rust protection (from water ingress) is the only reason HD still recommends periodic lubing. It's in the shop manual.
I appreciate all the workaround suggestions. Looks like my MotionPro gadget was more of a metric bike tool.
I appreciate all the workaround suggestions. Looks like my MotionPro gadget was more of a metric bike tool.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
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From: NorCal
I've got one of those tools. It mostly just sits on a shelf because it's a PITA. I use Cable Lube and the method described above where you support the cable vertically and create a little funnel. I also separate the cable at the adjuster and lube from the top to the adjuster and then from the adjuster down. Yes, the cables these days do have a liner but if you put a good lube in it even better.
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