| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerxt |
My cables, clutch and throttle, 'appear' to be coated and after 10,000 miles seem as good as new. Are they coated? Do they need lubrication and if so, what is recommended? I spoke with a couple of long time techs who lube Harley and chopper cables all the time and they told me that coated cables, if lubed with the wrong stuff, can swell. Hey, no one wants chubby cables in a thin annulus!  Sorry, I couldn't resist! Any input would be appreciated. I finally did a clutch adjustment and primary chain adjustment and am trying to do as much of the routine maintenance as possible. Thanks. | ||
| Tootal |
The early XB's were not coated but yours is. I updated mine and the replacement was coated. As far as lube I haven't touched them since but it might be good to flush them with some WD-40 during major maintenance intervals. WD-40 would just wash any dirt out and then leave a dry lubricant behind. Does your owners manual say anything about it? Maybe someone with an 08 or later shop manual will chime in. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks Tootal. Much appreciated. How many miles on your coated cables and how long have they been in service? It would be GREAT to know I didn't need to lubricate them BUT, my owners manual, and shop manual, say 'check, adjust, lubricate' but the manuals may not have been changed when the cables were and maybe it means 'inspect the cables, adjust them, and if not coated lubricate them'. Do 'coated' cables need lubrication? | ||
| Froggy |
Over 45k on the stock cables on my 06, IDK if they are coated or not. I have never lubed them. Add this to the list of "quit worrying and ride".  | ||
| Buellerxt |
Not worrying, Froggy, just wanting to know what's best for my Uly. IDK? What is IDK? (Message edited by buellerxt on March 08, 2011) | ||
| 7873jake |
I don't know... what IDK is. (Message edited by 7873jake on March 08, 2011) | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks jake. I googled IDK and what do you know, our buddy Froggy is up on the latest Urban talk! IDK, as per the Urban dictionary, is shorthand for 'I don't know'. You're educating us old coots in a myriad of ways, Froggy! Or am I the last person to learn what IDK means? I appreciate the info. on your experience, Froggy. If yours have lasted 45,000 miles my coated cables should be nothing to 'worry about'! I hear ya'! | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Tootal, do you mind expanding on that "but yours is"? Are you saying that the 08s and later are coated? | ||
| Datsaxman |
BuellerXT, YES...last to find out. And it is "...in myriad ways..." Since this has turned into the grammar police thread. | ||
| Tootal |
I only know that when I ordered a new cable a couple of years ago or so I received a coated cable. I don't know what year they were put on production bikes. I looked at Buellerxt's profile and it said he had a 2008 and he said that it looked coated. I was just assuming it was since my replacement was. My 2006 was not so they may have changed in 2007, IDK!  | ||
| Datsaxman |
Yeah, IDK too. I am going out to the garage to check the 2006 X against the 2009 XT. Then I will know for sure, and I can say AMHIK. Or YMMV. Or BFD. Or... | ||
| Tootal |
WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!!  | ||
| Crusty |
I lube the coated cables with Tri-Flow, and I can notice an improvement after I do. They pull both easier and smoother. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I want to say they went to coated cables in '08, same time HD did (supplier update, I think). I boogered my brand new coated cable the other night...so I reinstalled my un-coated '06 cable with 20k miles on it, lubed it up...and got over the fact that I trashed a brand new cable. Damn thing works great, I just don't have a spare anymore. (shrug) Hey Froggy - if you lube it, it will feel more like the hydraulic clutch on that 1125 you love so much. Just sayin'. | ||
| Ronmold |
Tri Flow rocks! And for some reason smells like bananas. I guess if you're lubing teflon-coated cables you might as well lube them with teflon lube. |
