[DARK FATHER]

Now that my speedo cable is installed and my speedo works for the first time since I have owned the bike I have noticed something. When I get up to about 45-50 mph the speedo cable makes a whining sound until the bike is stopped. It does not seem to do this within the 1-40 range. Any ideas?

 

[Blue Fox]

Did you lube the cable before you installed it? I would also lube the bearing at the speedo head where the cable attaches. You'll have to take the speedo off and invert it to get any lube in there tho.

 

[DARK FATHER]

I do not know how to lube the cable or what to use. Same with the speedo. This is a first for me.

 

[Blindstitch]

I use 3 in 1 oil dripped down the cable from where it connects at the gauged. Slowly add till it's dripping out. Then make sure to ride the bike to move it all around. Other ways are to disconnect the cable from the wheel side and pull out the inside. Lube it with a light grease and stick it back in. Then like before use it.



For throttle cables I just use a 3 in 1 drip as they don't come out.

 

[DARK FATHER]

And this oil will not chemically degrade the PVC on the cable? I was told that it would.

 

[Blindstitch]

By who?

 

[DARK FATHER]

Bike mechanic. He said that oil is bad for the plastic covering. That is why I did not lube it (that, AND I thought it was pre-lubed with safe lube).

 

[Blindstitch]

Bike mechanic. He said that oil is bad for the plastic covering. That is why I did not lube it (that, AND I thought it was pre-lubed with safe lube).

Ever lube bicycle cables? I'm pretty sure motorcycle cables have a coiled metal tunnel in them just like bike cables.



If you don't want to use oil then use grease but I haven't had any problems with either.

 

[DARK FATHER]

I used to be a bicycle mechanic and we used Campagniolo (spelling?) grease in the cables. I have since been told that it is a bad idea, but if you say that yours has never given you a problem with this method I will believe you. Maybe the bike shop said this to avoid liability...?

 

[Blindstitch]

Links for you.



http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/lubing_control_cables/index.html



http://www.dansmc.com/cables.htm



http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc8.html



They said it as a warning for teflon cables but we don't have those. Besides our cables are dirt cheap compared to others.

 

[DARK FATHER]

Excellent Blindstitch! Thanks! I will buy the lube tomorrow morning after I get off work.

 

[Harry]

I've been told to use graphite powder to lube cables because dirt sticks to oil or grease and becomes abrasive.

 

[jayhanig]

I haven't been told anything. But my Honda service manual says to lubricate with oil.

 

[Shep]

I oil all my cables with either light machine oil or ACF50.Been doing it years with no problems.If it's an old cable I flush it though with WD40 or rust penetrant and then re-lube.

You can use the trick of a piece of plasticine made into a cup and drip some light oil down the cables with them in a vice or tied up until it comes through.

If doing any carb work then that's and excellent time to do this bit of preventative maintenance and do the clutch cable as well.



I pack my speedo drive with moly grease.



My 10 penn'th.

 

[DARK FATHER]

OK. Lubed cable and rode around. The noise was coming from the speedo itself and had gotten LOUD. I removed it,lubed the part of the speedo that turns with the cable lube and used a drill to work it down on there by spinning it. NOW the sound has quieted down.