Tach needs a lube? New cable twisted. NMF!

I got my '82 XJ550R running Fab! However, the new tach cable I put on twisted and broke after only 200 mi. The cable was not stressed by bending, it had an easy 90º up to the tach. The bike had no cable when I got it, I suspect this was a chronic problem. I'm thinking the tach has some friction issues inside and could use lubrication.Can it be opened?
Thanks! Bill

 

Bill, my friend, have I ever let you down?

550 Seca cluster removal and disassembly: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14948.html

Instrument dissection including lubrication points and theory of operation:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15303.html

(Both are in the "FAQ Suggestions" forum if you need them again.)

You did LUBE the new cable, right?

 

Thanks Fitz,
I see a little hand on the wrench, did you teach your kids about the tools of ignorance? Great tutorial!
Thanks! Bill

 

My 9-year old is rapidly becoming a professional motorcycle mechanic. He seriously helps with things like valve adjustments, brake rebuilds, and anything requiring a torque wrench. He likes looking up torque specs in the charts and setting/operating the wrench.

 

I have to lube a NEW cable? I figure the factory would lube the cable to their own specs. :? What lube should I use on a new tach cable? I just got another.

 

Dude. Check your PM. You'll find this:

"ALWAYS LUBE ALL NEW CABLES. Trust no one but yourself, it's YOUR butt that goes sliding down the road...

I prefer motor oil for tach cables because they connect to the motor, and it gets really hot there. I use a small dollop of high-temp graphite brake lube on the little stop bushing at the one end.

I use Tri-Flow for virtually everything else. Yes, it's a tad expensive, but it doesn't dry out or get gummy like WD40 (almost crashed the Nort once because of WD40, another lesson learned the hard way) amd it's not influenced by temperature. It would probably do FINE in the tach cable too but I'm "old school."

For tach and speedo cables (the Norton has its speedo drive on the REAR wheel, the damn cable is like 5 feet long) I pull the inner out and lay it on a long "blue carpet" of paper toweling. Clean the inner and wipe with a rag; flush the outer cable with brake cleaner, and blow air through it (into a rag) until it's clean and dry. Then move the inner to a clean section of the "carpet" and lube it; either by spraying with Tri-Flow or dribbling motor oil on it. When reinstalling the inner cable, I add a bit more of my lube of choice every 6 inches or so as it goes together. Then slide the inner cable in/out about 6-8 inches while spinning it to get the lube distributed. Hang it up from the end that has the stop collar in it and let it dribble into a rag for a few, and reinstall.

I use a cable-luber and Tri-Flow for all control cables."

Sorry about the copy/paste but it was a lot of typing; and I always check/answer PMs before hitting the forums.

 

Fitz, thanks for answering the public post too. I think a few blokes will pick up your tips and use 'em. Bill

 

Fitz, How do I get the knob off the speedometer?
Bill