Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Throttle cable lube

Is it necessary to use cable lubricant on the throttle cables or will WD-40 do just as well and are there any suggestions on how to make it easier to lube them?

Nope.. no lube on our cables.

The reason I am asking is because the other day I had to leave my 06 America parked out in the sun all day at work and the throttle would not return to the closed possition without putting it there while driving home from work. Normally the bike is parked under a carport at work and I've never had this problem till it was out in the sun all day.

That is odd.. You might check to make sure the cable adjustment is correct..1/8" slack, if that's okay I'd try loosening the control itself and move it slightly inward on the bar.. the end cap may be binding on the rubber of the grip.

A shot of lube will help the throttle and clutch cables work smoother and last longer. I use a cable luber (any of the venders on the site should be able to sell you one) Usually i use white lithium grease in a spray can.

Chy is right, no lube, and I had to move the the grip as it would bind in the heat.

My Speedmaster is 7 years old this summer. (2003 model) The other day I noticed that my throttle doesn't snap back like it used to. I seems to stick. I twist open the throttle, let go with my hand, and it just stays there.

I went to PJ's Triumph in Albuquerque, and they happily sold me some cable lube in a can. They told me I also needed a cable luber tool, which they didn't have but said I could pick up at any bike shop.

I started looking here for instructions, and I found this thread. Is it true our bikes don't need throttle lube? What would happen if I lubed the cables anyway? What's the alternative? New cables? Could it be a weakened throttle pull-back spring?

I already loosened the clamp to unbind the grip. That's not the problem. I took the cap off that protects the cable ends, and I didn't see any wear or frayed ends. My concern is that the throttle will stick open, Toyota fashion, or the cable will break at an inopportune time.

Any advice or anecdotes of your experience would be appreciated.
Thanks,
C

I don't think a little lube would hurt anything and might smooth out operation. I have noticed mine sticking a little when I roll open slowly and might lube mine a little. Cables aren't like chains.

Problem fixed. It turned out that there is a rubber boot on the end of the throttle grip which had slid over and bunched against the bar end cap. The 100 degree heat made the rubber boot soft, and more susceptible to be worked off the end of the grip. I slid the boot back into place, and re-adjusted the clamp that holds the throttle/brake reservoir assembly. Problem solved. The throttle doesn't snap back like when it was new, but it doesn't stick anymore.