Clutch cable lube...

[XealotX]

Hello,

Does anyone have a suggestion for a brand of lubricant that I could buy at either a Wal-Mart or an auto parts store to lubricate a clutch cable?

The local dealership sells a can for $20.00 but that seems rather pricey. I suspect they have been selling overpriced Harley merchandise for so long that marking up a can of cable lube 400% is the norm.

I've only had my 2002 GS500 for about a week. This is my first motorcycle. Maybe my kitten paw hands are too weak  but I do not remember the Honda Nighthawk at the MSF course tiring my hand out this quickly.

Thanks

[ohgood]

a new clutch cable from bike bandit is $12 or so. best money (besides tars or breaks ( yes, i dew knot spell whale )) you can spend on a gs.

as far as lube, i suppose you could use some heavy grease, but how you'd apply it i dunno. thin stuff just makes it slick for a minute.

[ivany]

Typically with cables, they don't REALLY need to be lubed. I've only seen cables rust in their housings when the vehicles are not used, typically you break a strand and the whole thing just seizes up.

I usually put a drop of 3-in-1 oil (just mineral oil you can pick up at any hardware store) but I doubt it even does anything.

[XealotX]

I'm staring at a new clutch lever that just arrived in the mail today from Bike Bandit. Maybe I should have ordered a new cable at the same time? Would a new cable reduce clutch effort?

My bike is a 2002 with only 2500 miles on it. At first I was skeptical of the mileage claim but when I bought it last week it was in nearly perfect condition. The previous owner had replaced the fork fluid, brake fluid, tires, oil, and battery. Still had the receipts from the work done. Not a spot of rust on it. The only thing I can find wrong with it was the previously mentioned clutch handle which was bent in a drop in his garage.

Heck, since I bought it he has emailed me twice to make sure that everything is working OK. I wish I could get that level of customer service from  everything I buy.

Perhaps I just need to get used to the effort over time? I've only put about 50 miles on it (darn rain...)

Thanks for the suggestions. This site was THE reason I bought this motorcycle.

[gsJack]

Perhaps I just need to get used to the effort over time? I've only put about 50 miles on it (darn rain...)

That's probably it.  When I started riding 24 years ago at age 52 my right forearm starting hurting from twisting the throttle so bad I could hardly keep going but I did and it cleared up in a week or so never to return.  Soon after that my left shoulder began a similar painfulness from pulling the clutch and it too cleared up never to return.  You are waking muscles that have been unused much before.  Just give it a little time.

Now at age 76 I can ride a 2002 GS500 comfortably all day long except for an occasional sore butt.   

[ATLRIDER]

With so little miles, I really doubt you need to replace the cable.Motionpro makes this cool cable luber which works great.  I've used PB Blaster (Walmart) & Bel-Ray 6-in-1 with it. 
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/category/cable_luber/

Also since it seems you're replacing the clutch lever, put a touch of grease on the smooth part of the pivot bolt. 

How's the cable adjusted?  Does it have any play?  This plays a big part in feel too.

Lube cable with tool, grease pivot bolt, adjust cable= butter smooth

I now have 3 GS's (93', 96', 98') and haven't had to replace any cables and they're smooth.

Good luck and enjoy your new GS

[tripleb]

I've used WD40 and haven't had any problems.  It still seems very lubed to me and I installed it several months ago.

[bobthebiker]

I use the chain lube and it seems to work pretty well.  I need to get a cable lubing tool soon though.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Not nearly as messy as the Motion Pro tool.

+

[XealotX]

Wow...Thanks for all of the suggestions...To answer a few questions...

"How's the cable adjusted?"--Beats me  When the snow dries up I'll replace the clutch lever and try it out. This will be the first bike part I've installed. I have some experience with automobile maintenance. I'll take a look at the cable and see if there is any need to adjust it.

"Does it have any play?" Doesn't seem to. Should it?

I'll probably try Suzuki Stevo's suggestion out of curiosity.

gsJack...76!!!...I figured that at age 35 I'd be considered a fossil by gstwin forum member standards  I'm gonna stop whining about clutch effort now. 

I knew that after visiting this site for a few weeks I had made the right bike buying decision. Thanks again.

[bill14224]

Welcome aboard!  I'm glad we were able to talk you into buying the slowest non-cruiser mid-sized Japanese street bike on the market! 

If you like to go the good cheap way I got a can of Liquid Wrench spray chain lube at Advance Auto Parts.  I think it was $5 and it says on the can it's good for cables too so I use it for my cables as well.

If your clutch isn't pulling easily it probably needs a squirt.  It shouldn't be hard to squeeze.  The clutch return spring isn't very stiff.

There is an online manual for your bike that covers through 1997 but most of the routine maintenance like cable adjustment is the same.  Cable adjustment is a snap.  I know your bike is newer but 90% of the parts are the same.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7178815/Suzuki-GS500-Full-Service-Manual

[ATLRIDER]

Not nearly as messy as the Motion Pro tool.

+

Funny, I use the aerosol lube for my chain.  Hadn't thought to use it for cables.  

Once you get the hang of it, the MP tool isn't too messy.  I usually hold a rag around it b4 spraying.  Syringe looks like a another good way of doing the same thing.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Funny, I use the aerosol lube for my chain.  Hadn't thought to use it for cables.  

Once you get the hang of it, the MP tool isn't too messy.  I usually hold a rag around it b4 spraying.  Syringe looks like a another good way of doing the same thing.

I have a 30 year old cable end luber (Motion Pro?) that I can't locate at the moment that doesn't leak. So I buy a new one from Motion Pro until I can find my old one....unlike the new Motion Pro Luber the syringe does not leak. Still looking for my old cable end luber that does not require a rag when using.

[ATLRIDER]

Guess they don't make them like they used too. 

[5thAve]

Now at age 76 I can ride a 2002 GS500 comfortably all day long except for an occasional sore butt.   

No fault of the bike there, Jack. We all knew you're just a hard-ass.

[gsJack]

Hard-ass = Grouchy Old Man

[XealotX]

"I'm glad we were able to talk you into buying the slowest non-cruiser mid-sized Japanese street bike on the market!"---No worries, I haven't ridden over 35 miles an hour yet. Last time I went out 49cc moped riders were giving me the finger as they passed. One guy in a truck honked at me as he passed...I think he was trying to encourage me to shift into third.

Since I never get above 3000 rpm I'm getting great gas mileage though...

[tripleb]

oh man, you need to wring that thing out a little.  it's good to give it a good flogging every once in a while to clear out the carbs.

I'm envious of you - I used to live in STL in various spots in the county and I know there's some awesome roads out in west county and I bet there are even more out in st charles county.  You should check out the roads back out by that state park in chesterfield and a few out by st albans.

[simon79]

3k rpm???
The 10500 rpm redline is there for a reason, mate.
Just kidding, take your time.

Yes, the clutch cable should have some play, you'll find out its range and the way to set it in the OEM user's manual. It's easy to do
WD40 has been my weapon of choice when I had to lube the cable (only once so far).

And, welcome

[bill14224]

"I'm glad we were able to talk you into buying the slowest non-cruiser mid-sized Japanese street bike on the market!"---No worries, I haven't ridden over 35 miles an hour yet. Last time I went out 49cc moped riders were giving me the finger as they passed. One guy in a truck honked at me as he passed...I think he was trying to encourage me to shift into third.

Since I never get above 3000 rpm I'm getting great gas mileage though...

Man, I'm going 35 by the time I'm in front of the house next door.  I'm not encouraging you to ride fast, but too slow can be just as dangerous as too fast.  I've found it's a good idea to stay away from other vehicles as much as possible, either by falling back, or passing.  I usually opt for passing, but not always.  If the traffic is moving at a good clip I'll fall back.  Whichever gets you to your own piece of road soon is a good idea.

The guy on the lawn tractor would have blown his horn at you too if you had one!