freeing cable

[red66toy]

The hand throttle on my cruiser is stuck. It has never worked while I have owned the cruiser so I don't know how long it has been seized. I was wondering if there are any tricks to freeing the cable up or should I just replace it? Thanks.

 

[Poser]

Buy new, or slightly used....

 

[folsom50]

If it's been stuck that long it needs replaced, you'd be lucky if you could ever free it with wd-40 and a air chuck off of the compressor, been there and done that countless times, almost never works.

 

[red66toy]

Thanks for the help guys. I tried to free a heater cable once and let it soak in WD40 for days and it never moved. I was just wondering if there were any tricks. I will try and find one but I think it won't be easy because SOR doesn't even have them.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

You could take it off, get a big coffee can, coil it up in there, cover it with ATF and kero (or your favorite mix), and forget about it for at least two weeks. Shake it off, flex it around a lot, and maybe, just maybe it might move.

If it doesn't work the first time, stick it back in and forget about it for a month. I've saved some pretty crusty stuff this way.

I run these cables for both choke and throttle, high quality, cheap, twist lock, and the perfect length.
http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/C...5010bbc6e273fd81e6c020670/Product/View/212801

 

[red66toy]

So ATF fluid works real good?

 

[cavsfj40]

ok, the best best ever for freeing up moving parts like cables and chains and stuff like this. Get a metal pot. Something that you wont ever cook in. fill it with atf, brake fluid or ps fluid. the brak is the best. fill the pot and put the cable in there and heat the stuff. if you have a gas grill, i would do it outside away from the house cause you never know. dont get it too hot, but get it pretty warm, say 250 degrees. let it for a couple of hours and then let it cool. If this does not work, nothing will. you can PERMANENTLY lube a bike chain this way

 

[red66toy]

That sounds like a great idea but I live in an apartment and I don't know if I would feel comfortable heating brake fluid up on the stove. Plus my girlfriend wouldn't be the happiest person. Is brake fluid non flammable? What about fumes? Oh and we don't have a gas stove. Thanks.

 

[Poser]

Good, no gas stove...

Now go get yourself a large double boiler.....

put about a quart of gasoline in the top, and bring to a slow boil...

then add some detergent/soap flakes until it starts to gell...oh wait.. wrong stuff...you wanted a corrosion breaker...not napalm...

 

[cavsfj40]

i would not do this indoors

 

[red66toy]

[quote author=Poser link=board=1;threadid=11340;start=msg103021#msg103021 date=1076473244]
Good, no gas stove...

Now go get yourself a large double boiler.....

put about a quart of gasoline in the top, and bring to a slow boil...

then add some deft...oh wait.. wrong stuff...



[/quote]
I don't think so

 

[red66toy]

[quote author=cavsfj40 link=board=1;threadid=11340;start=msg103024#msg103024 date=1076473483]
i would not do this indoors
[/quote]
I wasn't going to really but was almost considering it . I will just soak it for a week in ATF fluid and if it doesn't work then oh well. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Poser]

Does it have a plastic coating on it, or is it strictly a metal cable?

 

[red66toy]

It is just a metal cable with a metal covering

 

[Poser]

Soak it in the coffee can of ATF...That is probably your best bet...I do not think that plastic knob comes off, I could be wrong..

Marl Whatley (I think) had some concotion of ATF, and a few other chemicals that many people have raved about how great the stuff is for freeing up rusted parts...

I am suprised that someone has not posted anything about that...

 

[red66toy]

Thanks. I don't know if the knob comes off either. Will the ATF fluid ruin the plastic knob? I think that I have heard something about some special mix but never heard what was in it.

 

[Poser]

The knobs are not removeable until they changed the choke cable and knob assembly in 81, to a lighted affair...

It is part of the cable, and when it is free, the cable will pull out of the guide..

Ding ding ding..the light went off reminding me about this..

 

[Poser]

Put the whole thing in there and let it soak for a week or two...

If it does not work, just get a used one from Marv..(SOR)...