Got a cable oiler?

[Greybeard]

I would like recommendations for a cable oiler, please.

[bikerbob]

The one I use is made by Doherty and have no complaints if you type this number into ebay 113019282211 you will see it listed or just put cable oiler into motorcycle parts on ebay and you will get a selection of different types.

[Greybeard]

The one I use is made by Doherty and have no complaints if you type this number into ebay 113019282211 you will see it listed or just put cable oiler into motorcycle parts on ebay and you will get a selection of different types.

Thanks, Bob. There seem to be two types; that design and a small block thing with a rubber sleeve inside that clamps sideways to the cable.

I found a video of this tool, that impressed me: https://youtu.be/XbD6wnx3Jc4

[RogerSB]

Hi GB, I've got one of the universal clamp types. It works ok. (Edit: cost me £6.20 inc postage). Cable ferrule clamped in big end, wire out the small end, tighten firmly to clamp up tight and using the plastic tube from an aerosol can squirt oil into the hole. I use a 3 in 1 aerosol. The idea is that oil can't go anywhere but inside the outer cable (the other hole is to allow air out) but if you squirt too much oil too fast it comes out of that hole also. It doesn't take much to start coming out the bottom of the cable, so  .

I looked into buying one of those blue 'Motion Pro' oilers, as it looks to be a good tool, but when I was looking it was only available to buy from the USA and then the  postage makes it very, very expensive.

[Greybeard]

I looked into buying one of those blue 'Motion Pro' oilers, as it looks to be a good tool, but when I was looking it was only available to buy from the USA and then the  postage makes it very, very expensive.

£24 including postage. I've ordered one.

[coater87]

 No matter which tool you use for it, its a messy deal.

 I cut a rubber glove finger into a tube and and "bread bag" tie it around the cable. Oil in the finger tube works well, but also messy.

 Lee

[Greybeard]

No matter which tool you use for it, its a messy deal.

In the video for the 'Motion Pro' oiler it looks very clean.

[Swarfcut]

Lee...Try sealing the glove finger to the cable with that wad  of chewing gum before you bin it. A dirty habit,  but quite effective. More gross is to  completely form a funnel with chewing gum........or something similar like Blu Tac.  The nozzle from a Silicone Mastic tube, sealed on temporary also makes a good funnel.

 Swarfy.

[JulianS]

I use a clamp on type with WD40 as the lubricant, it lubricates and also washes out the old lubricant and any accumiulated dust and grit.

[Greybeard]

I use a clamp on type with WD40 as the lubricant, it lubricates and also washes out the old lubricant and any accumiulated dust and grit.

I thought WD40 is not a good lubricant. What about using aerosol chain lube?

[Swarfcut]

WD works well with old cables which still retain some dried grease within the outer sheath. Any lubricant is better than none and you can bet the majority of cables were fitted straight from the box dry or with little more than a squirt of oil at each end. Some claimed to have wondrous internal innovations, such as Nylon Lined or MAKOL Lubricated.....whatever that was!

Swarfy.

[duTch]

 In the '80's I bought one of those things that sounds like Rogers, but never had much luck with it, so much like coater, I make a funnel from a clear plastic and squirt cable oiler into it and let it sit until it comes out the bottom....(potentially) much less messy and cheaper

[JulianS]

Says it lubricates and cleans on the can.

I use WD40 regularly on my home made cables and have done for a long time, Nice smooth cable as well.

Try it and see what you think.

It will do no harm and if you dont like it you can go back to oil or grease.

[RogerSB]

What about using aerosol chain lube?

I would think it's too sticky for a cable. I use aerosol chain lub for my rear chain and although it's very thin when you spray it on the chain it seems to get thicker and stickier, after all it's designed not be thrown off the chain easily. For cables you want something thin and slippery.

[Greybeard]

What about using aerosol chain lube?

I would think it's too sticky for a cable. I use aerosol chain lub for my rear chain and although it's very thin when you spray it on the chain it seems to get thicker and stickier, after all it's designed not be thrown off the chain easily. For cables you want something thin and slippery.

Yes, I know it becomes like grease, but spraying through the cable while it's thin seems possible. No?