Clutch cable, lube and lube tool?

[littleroot]

I am ordering a new clutch cable from Z1 because the one on Tom's GS1100E has a loose strand at the lever.

I just discovered the loose strand as I was preparing to check the clutch springs because it is slipping, even when I gun it from cruising at around 65 MPH in 5th gear(!) Could the slip be caused by a bad cable?

I'm guessing I should change the cable first and then check clutch performance before cracking open the clutch cover to check the springs.

Looking at buying this cable on Z1.

I see they recommend a new adjustment wheel and I'm good with that but not sure about getting the lube tool, too. Do I need to lube it before installation? Not sure I did any lube job when I changed one on my GL last year

Should I really buy a can of PJ "cable lube" too, or can I use something off my shelf like Seafoam Deep Creep?

Thanks guys,
-Bob

[tkent02]

You will be happier with a Suzuki cable, they pull smoother longer.

It's very easy to replace the clutch springs, too. After being compressed for thirty years they are going to be shorter.

The cable lumbers are useful, but there are other ways of doing it.

[Agemax]

any oil is good to lube a cable, you do not need to spend loads of money on so called cable lube. hang the cable up, get a small funnel and tape it securely over the end of the cable. pour engine oil or similar in the funnel and let it drain down the cable until it starts dribbling out the bottom.
job done.....

[tkent02]

any oil is good to lube a cable, you do not need to spend loads of money on so called cable lube. hang the cable up, get a small funnel and tape it securely over the end of the cable. pour engine oil or similar in the funnel and let it drain down the cable until it starts dribbling out the bottom.
job done.....

The corner of a baggie rubber banded to the cable end makes a fine funnel.

[littleroot]

You will be happier with a Suzuki cable, they pull smoother longer.

It's very easy to replace the clutch springs, too. After being compressed for thirty years they are going to be shorter.

The cable lumbers are useful, but there are other ways of doing it.

Oh, so I failed to select the Suzuki cable on Z1? Hmm, I will try again to find it.

[littleroot]

Looks like Z1 does not have the OEM. BikeBandit is close to me so they deliver fast even with cheap shipping. Faster than Babbits did the one time I used them

[salty_monk]

This is what I use.. No funnels, no bags, no disconnecting cables & no messing about. Time is precious. Shove the needle down the cable outer & squeeze!

http://www.amazon.com/Inox-INOX-INJECTOR-OZ-Injector/dp/B000GPZTJ6

Harley also stock something remarkably similar

http://www.latus-harley-davidson.com/Harley-Lube.htm

[Agemax]

i used to use one of these,(i still have it)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Quad-Car-Professional-Quality-Cable-Oiler-/370733226619?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item56516c1a7b&_uhb=1

works well but very time consuming and only works well with thin oil, like 3in1. any oil heavier and it dont work.......

[littleroot]

This is what I use.. No funnels, no bags, no disconnecting cables & no messing about. Time is precious. Shove the needle down the cable outer & squeeze!

http://www.amazon.com/Inox-INOX-INJE.../dp/B000GPZTJ6

I like saving time. Food grade, too. Great desert topping? SNL reference

Harley also stock something remarkably similar

http://www.latus-harley-davidson.com/Harley-Lube.htm

I like the price. Thanks for the recommendation

[koolaid_kid]

I used to drip machine oil, now I use a cable luber, much quicker.
Yes, you must lube the cable prior to installation.
No, it has nothing to do with clutch slippage. If any effect is felt at all, the clutch will be more difficult to use. Once the strands start to break, the cable starts to stretch.
You need to replace the tired clutch springs with new OEM clutch springs.
Z1 carries Motion Pro cables, not OEM.

[littleroot]

You will be happier with a Suzuki cable, they pull smoother longer.

It's very easy to replace the clutch springs, too. After being compressed for thirty years they are going to be shorter.

The cable lumbers are useful, but there are other ways of doing it.

BikeBandit has the 58200-45401 for $22. I think I will pull the trigger after I consider if there is anything else I need.... tempted to just go ahead and get the springs...

[littleroot]

i used to use one of these,(i still have it)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Motorcycle-Motorbike-Quad-Car-Professional-Quality-Cable-Oiler-/370733226619?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item56516c1a7b&_uhb=1

works well but very time consuming and only works well with thin oil, like 3in1. any oil heavier and it dont work.......

Made in England it's got to be good, like Carbtune.

Thanks for the recommendation.

-Bob

[salty_monk]

BikeBandit has the 58200-45401 for $22. I think I will pull the trigger after I consider if there is anything else I need.... tempted to just go ahead and get the springs...

Do it! Either get a full set of OEM springs or get a set of aftermarket ones & use 50% of them with 50% of the ones in there now (this gives a slightly heavier clutch & more "push" at the clutch end).

Don't buy all aftermarket & fit them - the clutch will be REALLY heavy. I currently use 50/50 in my GS (I found that even all new OEM could slip even though all plates & fibres are well in spec - old age I suspect!)

Don't forget you'll need a cover gasket for that side too. It's a 20 min job (basically get the cover off, undo one bolt at a time & replace them with a new spring then replace the cover) & you don't even have to drain the oil, just do it on the sidestand.

[barnbiketom]

I have had one of these for close to 30 years. it works perfectly. you remove the cable from one end, place this on the cable, tighten down and insert the staw from you fav-o-rite "go to" lube. I use pj cable lube and it makes any cabel work like new.

there are knock offs on ebay for even less, ut I use this thing like once a week and would highly recommend it!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Motion-P...0b4a57&vxp=mtr

[littleroot]

I have had one of these for close to 30 years. it works perfectly. you remove the cable from one end, place this on the cable, tighten down and insert the staw from you fav-o-rite "go to" lube. I use pj cable lube and it makes any cabel work like new.

Wow, once a week. So I guess you do it with only removing the ball end from the lever?

Thanks for the recommendation