Shift Cable Lubrication

[Scotch Farmer]

How do you lube the shift cable on a W18? Winne 35C, 2001 model. The shifter is getting harder and harder to work, and the manual says lube it, but it looks like a lot of "stuff must be removed to even reach it. Anyone done this?

[Scotch Farmer]

How do you lube the shift cable on a W18? Winne 35C, 2001 model. The shifter is getting harder and harder to work, and the manual says lube it, but it looks like a lot of "stuff must be removed to even reach it. Anyone done this?

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Not sure on the W18, but my last moho was a P32 and the shifter started moving real hard. They had to replace it with an updated shift cable. The new one had a heat shield over it. Apparently the problem was the heat from the left exhaust was to hot for it.

[John-D]

Step one: Inspect the cable ends, You need to get a good look at the size of the cable and the construction of the ends.

Step 2: Visit a motorcycle shop. They have cable lube adapters. They also carry one of the best lubricants ever made (Dri-Slide) for that kind of thing.

From there, you are on you own

Caution: Dry Slide is rather messy if you accidentally get it on things you don't wish lubricated

It is also sold as gun oil

[TandW]

If you think your shift cable is similar to the one on my 2001 Allegro with 8.1 litre engine then you will likely find that the nylon wrap that is on the cable is slipping and bunching in spots. The cable can be disassembled, allowing the removal of this material, and then be properly lubricated with high temperature grease. Your cable will then shift more smoothly than when it was new.