lubing control cables, big twin

[pcrussell50]

my rds21b 35hp '59 super seahorse works great, and i want to keep it that way. as such, i live a couple of blocks from the ocean, [possible salt air issues?], and i use my boat in the ocean. so far, the control cables, [throttle and shift] still work great, but i feel like i ought to lube them as a preventative measure. wondering if there is a slick way to get as much lube through the length of the cable as possible? was thinking of standing on the roof of my 1-story house and dangling the cables and dripping motor oil down the tube while turning the cable with a drill. hoping there's a better way.

note, these are not the teleflex-like steering cables, just throttle and shift, and they look like extra fat/heavy duty bicycle brake and shift cables, so they do not have fittings.

-peter

 

[5150abf]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

I have done something similar only instead of dripping the oil take a plastic bag and poke the cable through one corner then tape it really well, fill the bag with oil and suspend it from a roof joist in the garage and let gravity do its job, i use this on my motorcycle cables, works like a charm and much safer than dangling over the edge of your roof

 

[pcrussell50]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

thanks, and do you pull the inner cable out of the tube before you do this?

-peter

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

do not pull the cable, it may not go back in.

 

[pcrussell50]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

check. golden info as usual. this may be the most useful forum on the internet. and i frequent a variety.

 

[F_R]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

Go ahead and oil them up if it makes you feel better. But it sure seems like a waste of time that could be better spent. They are not supposed to require lubrication.

 

[iwombat]

Re: lubing control cables, big twin

There's a clamp that goes on the end of a cable w/ a fitting for a straw from a lube can. Any motorcycle shop will have one.

Been using mine for years.