Author Topic: Silly question?  (Read 1922 times)

Offline a101960

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Silly question?
« on: 15.10. 2009 12:31 »
What is the best way to lubricate the speedo cable and what is the correct lubricant?


Offline LJ.

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #1 on: 15.10. 2009 12:44 »
This is a good question and I'd guess it depends on what oil is in the gearbox, let me explain...

I had been using some very heavy gearbox oil and was worried about the sulphur content and how it can damage bushes... So, I emptied out that thick oil and flushed through with some 20/50 noticing after only a few miles that oil was tricking down the speedo cable from the speedo itself whereas before, the cable was clean and dry. This excessive oil cant be good for the speedo! I do know the cable at the gearbox end has a small fibre washer there but this obviously does not stop oil from travelling up the cable... So... My guess for perfect cable lubrication without oil travelling up into the speedo would be for the correct gearbox oil which may just slightly allow a small amount of lubrication there.

Of course this is just my theory and I know bugger all!
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Offline Rusty nuts

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #2 on: 15.10. 2009 20:04 »
Grease, but not on the last 4-6 inches at the top of the cable as you don't want it getting into speedo.

Rusty
1949 A7 Plunger
1947 A7 Rigid Star Twin
1969 Triumph T120R
1972 Triumph T120V

Richard

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #3 on: 15.10. 2009 20:26 »
LJ
I was under the impresion that there was some sort of twist at the end of the inner cable, that when it was turning pushed any oil backwards towards the gearbox, this may or may not be true of todays cables
IKBU applies here as well
Richard

Offline Rusty nuts

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #4 on: 16.10. 2009 08:56 »
There is (or should be) a brass, fibre or plastic washer thingy that acts as a fling/stop but not brilliantly effective & they often break up or are not there in the first place!
LJ, your avatar pic, has the red one been in a vice or is it squashed from trying to squeeze it into the shed with all your others *smile*
1949 A7 Plunger
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1969 Triumph T120R
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Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #5 on: 16.10. 2009 09:56 »
The absolute best lubricant is a product called "Tri-Flow".
You will get it from push bike shops. It is what they use to lubricate the derallier gear cables and shifting mechanisms.
I did convince a local motorcycle shop to try a carton as it is God's gift for all motorcycle cables.
The deal was he would buy a box ( 24 2oz bottles) and if they all did not sell in the first 12 months I would buy the left overs.
Well I ended up with 19 bottles, the reason ? Pomie bike riders will not pay for quality lubricants for their cables and found the $ 7.50 Aus too expensive, Funny the push bike shop sells 2 boxes a month.
Any way that is the best lubricant you will ever find for all Bowden type cables ( I even use it on the clutch of the L 300)
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Offline LJ.

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #6 on: 16.10. 2009 10:19 »
Quote
I ended up with 19 bottles, the reason ? Pomie bike riders will not pay for quality lubricants

Pssst! Trev... Got any second hand left over Tri-Flow going cheap?  ;)

Rusty... Actually the bike is much more narrower than the average A10 due to lining all my bikes up tightly side by side.  ;)
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Online bsa-bill

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #7 on: 16.10. 2009 10:22 »
Trevor Hi
Is that the dry lubricant or the Treflon one, I found a UK site ( Fastlads ?? ) that sell it.
Might give it go as I'm putting new cables on the project ( when I get time to get to the shed ).
This being dependant on me overcoming my perceived natural Pommie  tightness *roll*

All the best - Bill
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline Rusty nuts

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #8 on: 16.10. 2009 12:07 »
Quote
I ended up with 19 bottles, the reason ? Pomie bike riders will not pay for quality lubricants

Pssst! Trev... Got any second hand left over Tri-Flow going cheap?  ;)

Rusty... Actually the bike is much more narrower than the average A10 due to lining all my bikes up tightly side by side.  ;)

Nah, Think Erlings'  been playing with you pictures!!! (resolution)*computer*
1949 A7 Plunger
1947 A7 Rigid Star Twin
1969 Triumph T120R
1972 Triumph T120V

Offline a10 gf

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #9 on: 16.10. 2009 12:23 »
No problem, I can crop and resize all the bikes to all fit in one small shed. Just send them to me by email.

For cable lube I have had good results with the teflon based stuff, for the speedo\tacho cable the tool won't fit, but easy to apply a few sprays in the recess at the end of these cables and just let it flow by itself.

In this context, for applying a few drops of something at some exact, recessed spot, a syringe does an admirable job (no, not taking shots (lol) of gun oil to get high).


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Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #10 on: 17.10. 2009 08:54 »
The teflon one is the way to go.
Bill we don't have too may Pomms down here ( apart from Rob's ten pounders ) so don't get too up tight.
I should have said riders of Pommie bikes which would have been clearer.

I flogged off most of them to members of the BSA club down here and plopped one in the annual raffle for a few years .
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Online bsa-bill

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #11 on: 17.10. 2009 09:44 »
Hi Trevor - None taken I assure you, just a bit of banter, rest of the world please note Aussie - Brit relationship is a robust one and not easy to understand why we like to insult each other, it's because were friends!!!!!!

Bought some teflon stuff off Ebay for a reasonable price, can't believe the price in UK compared to USA, and it's made here I think.

All the best -  Bill
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline BSA_54A10

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #12 on: 17.10. 2009 22:55 »
Needless to say Bill you just drip it down the cable till the cable feels free and slippery.
The old method of flushing out the cable with the oil will be a bit dear.
I use kerro  ( parrafin to you lot ) to flush out the cable if it is filthy.
Good news is that it is inert so you can use it on nylon lined cables as well as naked ones.
 
Bike Beesa
Trevor

Offline snowbeard

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Re: Silly question?
« Reply #13 on: 18.10. 2009 23:51 »
Ha!! I just tried my darnedest to get some Tri-flow here in Lisbon, Portugal for my pedal bike!!  all they had was another style for bikes, but without the teflon.

drat, maybe I can become an importer. ;)
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