Saving Cables

[N5HNY]

Before I start, let me say I am cheap and don't want to spend any more money on my Big Red 250ES project than I have to.

I also realize that you can spend more money by being too cheap.

Having said all that, I have a handle bar to rear brake cable that looks great and is not frayed. However it is stuck. I have cleaned and sprayed lube on it but no go.

There used to be an old trick where you put a plastic bag around one end, fill it with 10 wt oil, and let it hang upright overnight. When the oil comes out the other end it would usually come unstuck. I never tried it myself.

Then again, maybe my cheap self just needs to buy a cable.

Either way I may try the oil and bag trick to see if it works.

[dovesprings250R]

Keep on spraying lube(I use mopar penetrant) into the housing often. If it doesn't free up in a few hours it's time to buy a new cable. Tri flow works well for this also.

[Blown 331]

Clamp a hose around the cable, fill it with trans fuild then clamp the other end of the hose to compressed air. If 150 psi won't get lubricant through the cable I don't think anything will. And use some common sense if you try this.

[Cody]

3-IN-ONE oil. Take some vice grips clamp one end of the cable, put some oil in the other end and let it drain down. Pull the other end with the vice grips. Keep doing that, it's how I freed my cables. Good luck.

[atctim]

Also, try this - take a 5-gallon bucket, coil the cable into the bottom. Now pour in 3 or 4 inches of kerosene and let it soak in that (completely submerged) for a day or three. Worked for me.

[TeamGeek6]

Might get a cheap cable from a lawnmower dealer, Ive gotten some nice ones for less than $20. If they can be made to fit. I have a couple generic ones you can have if you want to tinker.

[Cody]

Best of luck man, I told you the best of my knowledge.

[N5HNY]

Thanks for all the replys.

I am going to have to get a new cable. This old one is so impacted with crap that the cable won't come out, even though I cut one end off. Now that is one locked up cable.

This whole bike is like that. I really don't believe any basic maintenace was ever performed on this Big Red. Kinda stupid really. But hey, thats why I got it free huh ? LOL.

[N5HNY]

Oh by the way, I did try some of the procedures. Nothing was gonna save this cable.

[ScottZJ]

A motion pro replacement cable is around 12$ here at my local atv shop. I found that out and replaced all of my 250es cables. Not worth the time messing with them.

[twoodward15]

I have a solution for you. Try a product called rust reaper. It'll take care of it for sure!!!

[honda200]

I use Honey Goo, It works amazing on cables, locks, hinges, undercoating, anything

Curtis