lubing cables.

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Apr 17, 2012 | 08:12 AM

#11

hoethree

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico

Wished we could get a definative answer here. I have a 2010 and a 2009. Both SM's say lube/adjust cables every 5K miles. Are they teflon or not?

Apr 17, 2012 | 08:51 AM

#12

valvestem

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Northeast U.S.

I would do what the manual says. As far as using a specific lube, use one made for motorcycle cables. The "carrier" of the lube is what may attack the Teflon lining or regular lining if non-motorcycle cable lube is used.

Apr 17, 2012 | 09:51 AM

#13

Guitar4Him

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 410

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From: Central North Carolina

I have a 2011 Ultra-Classic. My SM says to lube the clutch cable every 5K miles. I asked the dealer about it and they suggested (and sell) the PJ1 Cable Lube. I ended up going to CycleGear and bought the following in a bundle....

It works great. I hand no problems pumping lube through the entire cable. The clutch cable has been very smooth since using it.

Apr 17, 2012 | 09:53 AM

#14

Retrop

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

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My 2009 FLTR has teflon cables. No lube for me. Can't say about 2008 and down. Pull it out of the perch and look if in doubt. No biggee.

Apr 17, 2012 | 10:01 AM

#15

IndianaHarvey

Novice

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 17

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From: Lanesville, Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by drukanfu

Newer models have the teflon cables I believe, if you do use any lube use a dry lube like tri-flow, dryslide etc. A wet lube or oil will gums things up fast.

Where did you get your information about the newer models having telfon cables? I have a 2009 Ultra and the manual clearly states to lube and adjust clutch cable every 5K.
Harley recommends Lubit-8 Super Oil. I use synthetic gear oil 75-90, same thing I put in the tranny. Whatever you put in the cable shaft for lube eventually finds it way to the tranny so why not use that.

Apr 17, 2012 | 01:42 PM

#16

iclick

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Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

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From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjnoble

Do you think Drislide would be good for brake pistons? Also, I think the problem with lubricating the new cables is not so much gumming things up but eating into the teflon coating and destroying it.

I don't know about newer bikes, but my '07 service manual says to use Tufoil Lubit-8 which contains motor oil. For the clutch I use a mix of moly grease and synthetic motor oil, which works very well and lasts for about a year. I make a paper funnel sealed with a rubber band and let it gravity feed into the cable over 10-15 min.

For the throttle cables I use whatever I can get in there with an oil gun, usually just synthetic motor oil, with a spray of ZEP-45 between the handlebar and grip. I need to reassess my procedure for the throttle side, as it is always a hassle and I end up having oil drip everywhere. I may just buy a syringe and use it with regular syn oil, or bite the bullet and go for the Inox or Lubit-8 kit.

I wonder if Dri-Slide can work with cables that have already been lubed with petroleum-based oil.

Last edited by iclick; Apr 17, 2012 at 01:46 PM.

Apr 17, 2012 | 01:58 PM

#17

bmaier

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 2,011

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From: Albuquerque New Mexico

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoethree

Wished we could get a definative answer here. I have a 2010 and a 2009. Both SM's say lube/adjust cables every 5K miles. Are they teflon or not?

Same here in my 09 SM, id like to know 100% too

Apr 18, 2012 | 08:23 AM

#18

Retrop

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 2,034

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bmaier

Same here in my 09 SM, id like to know 100% too

Loosen the clutch cable all the way and pull it out of the perch to look at it. If it has a teflon coating on the cable, you can see it very easily. It looks like a white plastic coating on the steel cable. If you want to put some lubricant on the cable, do it. It won't hurt it either way. Teflon is tough stuff. You aren't going to gum it up to the point it is non operative. No need to overthink this.