Recommended Lube for speedometer cable, mechanical speed 1990 FLHS

[flhs90]

This is not an Earl question but if his ugly Bird Head shows up then I asked for it.
I'm sure between anti seize, ATF, caliper grease, wheel bearing grease, motor oil, etc. I have something that will work.
Would someone tell me what works in their experience and my speedo will be functional again.
FWIW I am going to install the speedo drive from Drag Specialties and give it a test.Bike has 82,000 miles on it and as you knows these EVO's are damn near bulletproof, knock on wood. Think that 80,000 miles out of a speedo cable and front drive unit is good enough.
Please forgive me Earl. LOL.

Ride safe and once again, appreciate the technicians/riders out there who post answers to my problems.

FLHS90

[Reddog74usa]

Try some KY 

[flhs90]

Hey Red Dog:

I figured that might crop up, does it void my warranty?

[Reddog74usa]

I'm thinkin it would be more of a violation than a void 

[evo58]

REDDOG 74!!!
what bad advise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
took the KY in my hands going to the garage to use on brake pin,
then my woman asked  me ´´WHRE YOU GOING with this in your hands??? 
maybe she was thinkin i had a other woman in the garage !!!
i told her, i m going to use this in the brake, Reddog eays to me use on brakes !!!
what a F##@@#¨,
takinng the tube from my hands....
thats what  happen...
evo   

[Evo160K]

On a more serious note, I packed my 1990 fxst cable and housing solid with antiseize.  That put an end to breaking a cable every two or so years.

[Norton Commando]

I too have a 1990 FLHS, mine has racked up ~75,000 miles. I use motor oil to lubricate the speedo cable.   

[bagga]

Try some KY 

kentucky? they make kentucky lube?   

[flhs90]

Thanks Evos:

Looks like antiseize or motor oil will do. Dinosaurs rule with this application.

KY looks like more trouble than it's worth.

Ride safe and thanks for the help with an old bagger.  Appreciate all the humor.

FLHS90

[JC 92FXRS]

I do believe that KY is good for lot's of stuff  but, EP#2 grade Moly grease is the best at staying in the cable. I find the anti-sieze doesn't stay long.
Just a thought, Cheers, Jeff

[Diver625]

Anti-seize is not designed to lubricate moving parts.

[Evo160K]

Diver625,
I used it to keep out water, not to lubricate.  It must have done that because, as I said, I was breaking a cable every 2 to 2-1/2 years because of rust in the lowest part of the cable.  After totally packing the housing one time with Permatex antiseize, I never had another cable break or leak antiseize.  With that rubber boot at the bottom, I can't imagine where it would leak.

[Diver625]

I can't argue with success. Have you pulled the cable lately to inspect it? Anti-seize is made up of fine particles of copper, aluminum or glass to keep threads from bonding over time. I saw one guy pack his wheel bearings with it years ago, they didn't last very long.

[nibroc]

i use dri-slide--works for me

[Evo160K]

nibroc,
I didn't check it.  I eventually converted it all to an electronic pickup and speedo.  The oem tranny took a dump at 95K.  Went to a Jim's performance trans that had the port for the pickup, so I gradually did the switch.

[mel]

For what it's worth, for the last 40K miles I've squirted a little motor oil down my FXRS speedo cable every now and then (more then) , and it's still going strong. 

[tomfiii]

Don't forget to lube the drive unit at the axle.

[Xanadu]

I have the mechanical speedo, I tried evo160's suggestion.  it did not fix my problem of jitter in the speedo cable.  My issue is after about 10-15 miles of riding at 80mph the needle starts to jump around.  the antisieze is filled with metallic particles that I imagine would create wear in your speedo cable.  I ended up replacing that cable with a new one. packed it with white lithium grease I got at auto zone, it states on the package one of the applications is speedometer cables. even with the white lithium grease it needs to be repacked a lot sooner than I would like.  I have yet to find a good ss covered speedo cable that will work as well as the OEM one.  I never had the issue with the OEM cable, but it was removed soon after I got the bike.  I even replaced the drive unit at the front wheel, the problem did not go away, that was a waste of money.  a new speedo is around 200.00.  I have replaced the cable 3x now.  if you find a solution, please post it here.