Cables
Cable Lubrication
From: Daddo (DaddoCFL)
The control cable sheath lining is of a Teflon or similar plastic that is designed to resist friction. The stories of it being eaten up by cable lubricant are just vapor as far as Yamaha and I are concerned. After all, Yamaha reminds us that lubricating the cables is part of our regular maintenance. I pressure lubricate my stock cables about every 60 to 90 days (every other oil and filter change).
I use a simple Cable Oiler that clamps on to the end of my throttle and clutch cables. I also lube the throttle advance/enricher/choke (or whatever the popular name for it today is) cable.
I also favor PJ1 Cable lube for the job. It comes with a short plastic tube that mates with the input orifice on the Cable Oiler.
I always preferred to lube my throttle cables from the bottom up using a PJ-1 Cable oiling tool. The reason for this is the P.I.T.A. in trying to attach the tool at the bar end controls.
The only caution that I would offer is to place a shop rag at the other end of the cables when you are pressure lubricating as the pressurized lubricant will immediately fill every space within the tube, like whipped cream, and will of course come out the other end. The foam dissipates leaving every surface completely coated with lubricant.
If you don’t ride in the rain very often, every six months would be more then enough. Here in Central Florida, it seems as though getting caught in an almost daily Toad Strangler is part of my riding ritual.