Hey all,
Doing a top-end re-seal on my '78 R100RS and decided to address my sticky enrichener mechanism and 40 year old "cables".
On disassembly, it appears whomever was in here last used aluminum anti-sieze as a lubricant, which had turned to a thick, sticky, hardening muck.
Now that it's all mucked out, I'm ready to reassemble with the new cables. I've searched this forum, Google, Snowbum's site (and I now have ten other rabbit holes open in tabs -Thanks Bob!), found no mention in Haynes or in my Bing manual.
I have ideas, but I would like to ask for input on lubing this system.
Thanks
Ok I ended up using some EP moly on the mechanism and WD40 for the "cables"
If anyone is curious, I'll post long-term results..
1978 models have the enrichener control lever on the LH air box case and short, un-lined cables. On those I use a "cable luber" to pump chain lube into the cables before complete assembly. Chain lube is generally waterproof and very tenacious, making the job a lifetime lube. I don't put anything on the cable-to-carb mechanism.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Thanks ya guys.
I couldn't help it: I pictured what a squirt of PJ1 Black Label would do in those housings...Even so, couldn't be any worse than the aluminum anti seize that had worked its way in the old ones.
I've heard (read) some say don't use anything at all on the wire "cables", but i figured at least some "Water Displacer 40" would be a decent bet.
Tri-Flo's a good thought. Maybe I'll do that.
The enrichener cables I'm thinking of have a rather stiff solid center wire that pushes the valve closed, it's not a spring return type cable. Thick lubes are OK on those cables.
The later model bikes use the more traditional braided center wire, and those do have a spring return. You're correct Scot, I would not use chain lube on a spring-return cable.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
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