Lubricating Motorcycle Cables: Motorcycle 101 Guide

Motorcycle cables, including the throttle. Clutch, throttle, or brake cables are among the crucial areas that must be checked and maintained. The condition of these cables tells the condition of your bike. It is not something that you can neglect, as it directly impacts your bike’s performance. These motorbike cables are also essential parts of your motorbike’s maintenance cycle.

Be it the throttle cable, clutch cable, or brake cable, it is vital to lubricate them properly. This will not only ensure a smooth bike operation, but also accelerate well. This article is a detailed motorcycle 101 guide on how to lube motorcycle cables; the best lube to use on bike cables, and the tools you need to use to get the job done right.

The cables in your motorcycle take care of important functions, like the throttle, clutch, and brakes. These are control cables, which are subjected to intensive use. They are likely to wear out, corrode, or become stiff over time. Therefore, lubrication of your motorbike cables is necessary. Let’s talk in detail about why riders should regularly lube their bike cables for the best results:

The friction between a cable and its housing is reduced by using a lubricant in order to make the movement smooth against both surfaces.

Corrosion is caused by moisture and dirt. After you lube these cables, they form a protective layer around them to ensure that dirt and moisture do not get stuck on these cables. This helps cables last longer and provides better performance.

If you keep lubricating your throttle, clutch, and brake cables on time and keep them in good shape, it will increase their lifespan. They may not be too expensive to repair, but they have a great impact on the performance, acceleration, and smoothness of how your bike operates.

Properly lubricated and well-maintained motorbike cables can help improve the throttle response, clutch engagement, and gear shifting. If your bike cables are not in good condition, riders are likely to experience poor acceleration and jerking as they ride their bike.

Motorcycles have various cables to be taken care of, and each of them has its purpose:

The throttle cables are installed in a motorbike to regulate the amount of fuel and air mixture supplied to the bike’s engine. This is installed on the right-hand side grip of your bike’s handlebars. When you twist the throttle of your bike to open it, it accelerates your bike.

On the other hand, if you want to decelerate your bike, you release the throttle or close it. This restricts the fuel and air mixture delivery to the motorcycle engine. Lubricating the throttle cable ensures smooth acceleration and deceleration.

The clutch is among the most essential parts of your bike’s operation in a manual transmission motorbike. A clutch cable is assigned the task of engaging and disengaging the clutch. Without this, you cannot shift gears. For smooth gear shifting, it is important to have your clutch cables lubricated. Without proper greasing, the clutch can get hard or it can fail to operate altogether.

The brake cable on your bike activates the front brake of your motorbike. You'd better know how important brakes are for your safety while riding. For responsive and reliable braking, you must lubricate your brake cable as well, along with the throttle and clutch cable.

Before proceeding with the steps and procedure for how to lube your motorcycle cables, you will need a few tools and materials for this purpose. These include:

To lubricate the cables installed in your bike, you require a special lubricant that will go on the bike cables. There are many different types of motorcycle cable lubricants available on the market. However, we recommend using the best-quality, specialized cable lubricant for your bike to ensure better results.

Do not use anything that seems like a lube to grease your motorbike cables just to save some money. It can cause damage to the cables and can compromise your bike’s performance.

A cable luber or luber tool is a specialized tool to effectively lube the cables on your bike. This tool helps you to lube the inside of the cable with the lubricant without making a mess.

Motorcycle clutch cable and throttle cable oil or grease are among the most common lubricants used widely for this purpose.

You will also require a clean piece of cloth to wipe out any dirt or grime on the motorbike cables before applying the lubricant. You should clean the cables before lubing them for better results.

A rag will come in handy to wipe off any extra lube that drips out while applying it to the motorcycle cables.

We are all set with our tools to start lubricating motorcycle cables. Follow the detailed step-by-step procedures to have a good and clean process.

• The first step is to locate the cables on your bike that require lubrication. In the case of the throttle cable, it is usually attached to the right-hand side of the handler with the throttle grip.

• The clutch cable is attached to the left side of your bike’s handlebars and attached to the clutch lever.

• Similarly, the brake cable is attached to the brake lever of your bike on the right side of your bar.

To properly clean and lube the motorcycle cables, you must disconnect and remove them from the bike. To do this, you must identify both ends of the cables and remove their connections by unscrewing the lock nuts.

Once the cables are removed from the bike, remove them from their housings for detailed cleaning and greasing. Remember! It is not a must-do step, as you can still lube the cables without removing them from their housings. However, for in-depth cleaning and greasing the cables or if you have to replace the cables, you must remove them from their housings.

To ensure better results, you must also clean the inner surface of the cable housing before you lube the cables. This can be done by either using compressed air or a solvent flush, such as WD-40. Once you start flushing the solvent or compressed air from one end of the housing, you will see the dirt and grime coming out from the other end of the cable.

You can also use the cable luber tool to clean the cable housing effectively. This will assist in avoiding the possibility of stuffing any dust inside the cable when you are applying the lubricant. Also, let the moisture inside the housing dry before you lubricate your bike’s cable.

Removing the motorcycle cables from their housings will help you clean and lube the cables more effectively. It is, though, a detailed process with more steps, but it ensures better lubrication and a longer cable life.

Use the specific motorcycle cables lubricator, oil, or grease for lubricating the cables. These specialized lubbers ensure better performance and longevity.

After the lubing process is done, you must put the cables back into the housing. Once done, reinstall the motorcycle cables onto the bike by attaching both ends at their respective points.

Using the cable luber tool for lubing the bike cables is a comparatively easier and less hectic process. It doesn’t require you to remove the cables from their housings. Let’s learn how to lube the bike cables using a cable luber tool:

This step is the same as we explained in the previous section. Locate the cables first so that you can access them for lubrication.

This step is also the same as explained in the previous section. After identifying the bike cables, you must disconnect both ends and remove them to lubricate them using the cable luber tool.

The clamp-style cable luber tool helps in lubing the cables neatly and effectively. This simple and small device enables you to fit the cable easily and apply the lube inside the cable housing. This simple lubing tool helps in pushing the pressurized lube down to the other hand, washing away all the dirt and debris. This is how you can lube the cables using the cable luber tool:

Pull the cable out of its housing a bit to firmly fix the clamp-style cable luber tool. Now, insert the cable into the luber tool to be able to insert the cable into it. This clamp-style luber tool sticks to the cable firmly.

After inserting the cable into the clamp-style luber tool, it is now time to start lubing the cable. Take the small pipe that comes with the pressurized cable luber can spray bottle and insert it into the hole located on the luber tool. Using the can, insert the pressurized lube oil into the cable through the luber tool.

As you pump the lube into the luber tool, it will transfer the lube to the cable through the housing and will wash away all the dirt and grime. This not only cleans both the cable housing and the motorcycle cable itself, but it also lubricates the cable.

To ensure the bike cable is well lubricated on all parts, you must push and pull the cable inside the housing. Repeat the process until the lube reaches every part of the cable.

Once the cables have been lubricated, use a rag to clean up any extra lubricant that has come out of the cable. Too much lube may be an attraction to dirt; hence, you must clean the extra lube.

Now, it is time to reassemble the motorcycle cables on the bike. This is done by reinstalling both ends of the cables back to their original joints or connections.

Once you are done attaching the cables back to the bike, put the cables into action by:

• Twisting the throttle.

• Engaging and disengaging the clutch.

• Pull the front brake lever.

This allows the lube to settle in and reach every place inside the cable housing.

After having lubricated the cables, you should test them by taking the ride. Take a test ride and see if the throttle, clutch, and brake are working smoothly and effectively. Check for any jerking as you engage the throttle, clutch, or brake.

When you are buying a motorcycle cable lube, you wish to find a product that will give you lasting protection, reduce friction, and also resist adverse weather conditions. These are some of the best bike cable lubes:

• Motul Lube: Cable lube is a common product when it comes to bike cable lubrication. Motul lube is ideal for maintaining your bike cables in good working order.

• PJ1 Cable Lube: The PJ1 Cable Lube is of high quality and works well in rust and corrosion prevention for smoother cable operation.

• Lucas Oil Lube: Lucas has a long history of delivering quality lubricants, and their bike clutch cable lube is no exception. It provides ease in operation and prevents wear and tear of cables.

• Maxima Lube: It is also a great motorcycle cable lube that has good rust resistance and reduces friction.

Although it is relatively easy to lube the bike cables, there are some common errors that riders make. Make sure to pay attention while lubing the bike cables:

• Wrong Lubricant: Do not use general-purpose oils or WD-40. When buying a lube, always use the lube made specifically for the clutch cables or throttle cables. Make sure to read the reviews, even if you are opting for a general-purpose bike chain or cable lube, before using it for lubing the cables.

• Over-lubricating: This can bring in more dirt and grime, which leads to poor performance. Use only enough to remove the dirt inside the cable housing and lubricate the cable.

• Failure to Clean Cables: Dirt may accumulate on cables, and when mixed with lubricant, it forms a gritty paste that harms the cable. Before lubricant is applied, the cable housing should always be clean.

• Regular Lubrication: Bike cables should be lubricated regularly. Especially after they become stiff or feel jerky while operating.

• Check for Damage: As you are lubing the bike cables, also check to see whether there is any kind of damage like fraying, cracking, or kinks in the cables. Damaged cables must be replaced as soon as possible.

• Use Appropriate Luber Tools: A bike cable luber tool is a great way to clean and lube the cables. These tools, especially the clamp-style cable luber tool, can help apply the lube evenly and effectively.

Lubricating motorcycle cables is a basic and crucial step in motorcycle maintenance. It is quite crucial for the performance of your bike. Your bike cables must be lubricated and maintained properly. Once damaged, make sure to replace them on time.

Lubricating the throttle cable, clutch cable, and brake cable often will help avoid stiffness, corrosion, and wear and tear. With the right tools, the right lubricant, and the knowledge about the process, you can make the cables last longer and your bike runs smoothly.

Never forget to clean your bike cables before the lubing process. Use the cable luber tool to ensure the task is done effectively. After it is done, test the cables and the bike for any signs of jerking and poor acceleration. If your bike cables are in good shape and work efficiently, you will have a smoother and safer ride each and every time.

Although WD-40 can be applied in many lubrication processes, it is not the most suitable when it comes to motorcycle cables. WD-40 is not a long-lasting lubricant but rather a solvent and a degreaser. It will clean the cables temporarily, but it lacks the protection and durability that motorcycle cable lubricants, such as motorcycle cable lubes, provide.

To keep the performance long-term and the operation smoother, it is advised to apply a special cable lube that is made specifically to lubricate the bike cables.

Blaster chain cable lubricant is a good lubricant to use on motorcycle cables, such as the throttle, clutch, and brake cables. This lubricant is meant to last long, minimize friction, and prevent rust. This is why it is the perfect choice when it comes to lubricating motorcycle cables.

It is specifically designed to endure the rough environment motorbikes find themselves in most of the time, including extreme temperatures and elements. Nevertheless, it is always good to note that the lubricant you use should be compatible with the cable materials in your bike and should give the appropriate protection during motorcycle cable lubrication.

The most suitable grease to use in lubricating the motorcycle cables is a cable grease that has been designed to do this particular task. They are designed to lower friction, prevent wear and corrosion, and act as a lubricant in control cables, such as throttle and clutch cables.

The cable lubrication products are created to penetrate deep into the cable housing, making sure that they operate well and making them last longer. You should apply the grease, which is specifically made to lubricate the motorbike cables, to get long-term and efficient protection.