Bike cables

[2E0MZB]

Hi all,

I have used the search function and could not find the answer to my question. Are the cables on a 1100 GS nylon lined or will they need lubricating with a suitable oil.

Be patient with me as I am a new member!

Brian

 

[littleredrooster]

I'm fairly sure they're nylon-lined. A squirt of a Teflon-containing lubricant works well - something like GT85.

 

[Wrigsby1]

The clutch one is... I think the throttle one isn't on the one throttle cable version.

Lubricate as per above and I have also had good results with Silkopen (hard to find!).

 

[BuBaz]

The clutch one is... I think the throttle one isn't on the one throttle cable version.

Lubricate as per above and I have also had good results with Silkopen (hard to find!).

Try here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILKOLENE-SIL...57?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4aa6913cd9

 

[Wrigsby1]

Try here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILKOLENE-SIL...57?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4aa6913cd9

Cheers, might give them a go as they might even post to Shetland. Many places won't send aerosols overseas.... something to do with maritime rules for post...

Always try to find stuff like this when i am biking "sooth"!

 

[2E0MZB]

If they are nylon lined is there not a danger of the lining swelling up when you put a lubricant down them causing the cables to seize.

Brian

 

[motobiker]

Never even considered lubing the cables on either of my 1100s and... i think this is the first ever thread (i've noticed) that has mentioned this.

Clutch, Throttle and Fast Idle cables are all original.. only the speedo isn't. that failed 5 years ago. Bike is now 11 years old. and has lived its entire life outside.

I won't be starting lubing the cables now. either.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Never even considered lubing the cables on either of my 1100s and... i think this is the first ever thread (i've noticed) that has mentioned this.

Clutch, Throttle and Fast Idle cables are all original.. only the speedo isn't. that failed 5 years ago. Bike is now 11 years old. and has lived its entire life outside.

I won't be starting lubing the cables now. either.

I have only lubed cables that need lubing. If you ride long journeys, ride in lots of traffic, ride professionally or just have grip probs then the extra ease that lubing stiff cables can give can make the difference between RSI type hand probs and comfort.

I 1st noticed this when i was a 20odd year old courier and my clutch hand was seizing up totally. had a mate at the time who had a Duke 900 with a clutch I could just about pull in with both hands so it's all relative.

BMW nylon coated cables have to be lubed with care as the wrong stuff can make them worse and as with all cables a proper OTT lube is the way to get rid of any dust/dry crap in the cable if you are having probs.

If you are not having probs or if you are OK with how they feel then all is wonderful and don't lube.

It's like why I have a throttle rocker. I only bought one after I had a thumb/grip prob after a 500+ mile ride one day

PS it's only usually the clutch and throttle cables anyhow that are a riding issue...

 

[motobiker]

As I said before.. this is the first time i have ever heard of lubing cables on the R1100GS. If I had any kind of problem with the cables then I still wouldn't.

I would replace them. simple as that. Not exactly expensive given the lifespan of the things.

edit: just looked in the Haynes and it does talk about lubing the cables. (if necessary) However I would still replace them rather than faff around.

I would be interested to know what BMW themselves say about this. (if anything)

 

[littleredrooster]

.....PS it's only usually the clutch and throttle cables anyhow that are a riding issue...

Errrrmmm....are there any other cables...?

 

[littleredrooster]

As I said before.. this is the first time i have ever heard of lubing cables

You've led a sheltered life..

I would replace them. simple as that. Not exactly expensive given the lifespan of the things.

You've never been a skint student, then. Have you priced a set of replacement throttle cables for a GS? From memory, a complete set + splitter box for the 1150 cost me c.£130

....I would still replace them rather than faff around.

I'm quite prepared to 'faff around' if it saves me unnecessary expenditure.

I would be interested to know what BMW themselves say about this. (if anything)

They are hardly likely to have a ban on lubing cables, are they?

 

[Timolgra]

Teflon lined cables should not be lubricated

 

[Wrigsby1]

Errrrmmm....are there any other cables...?

Yip, but I haven't suffered form cramp holding the fast idle on.....

 

[littleredrooster]

Yip, but I haven't suffered form cramp holding the fast idle on.....

Oops. Old age is my excuse (and a 1200 which looks after such trivialities...)

 

[cookie]

Teflon lined cables should not be lubricated

that is certainly the only advice i've ever seen written about the subject.

however...i have frequently ignored such advice, and have found that lubing lined cables can often be beneficial, and have never seen any evidence of any problem at all

 

[Wrigsby1]

that is certainly the only advice i've ever seen written about the subject.

however...i have frequently ignored such advice, and have found that lubing lined cables can often be beneficial, and have never seen any evidence of any problem at all

Ditto... have saved many a BM cable where it might have been a call to M/works for a "free" one Manuals contain quite a lot of "warnings" that can be ignored with experience...

 

[2E0MZB]

It appears that there is no hard and fast answer to the question. I suppose it would be better to have a second cable (Clutch) in place just in case the worst happens or carry spares rolled up in the topbox or panniers

Brian