Another lubrication query

[chillyuk]

I have started bringing a bike back to life that has been stored for a very long time. It has Shimano rapid fire shifters, only they didn't rapid fire, in fact they hardly fired at all! This morning I removed the cable, took off the top and bottom covers and gave the whole gubbins a good blast with WD40. After a few blasts the levers suddenly freed off and nicely clicked through their range and back again. A few more blasts just to make sure and I considered the job a good'un. However, as WD40 is not really a residual lubricant can anyone recommend what I should use. I was thinking of an aerosol gease that goes in as liquid then hardens, but I don't want it to go too hard in case I end up back at square one!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

gt85 is a far better choice for that sort of job than wd40. i've yet to go into a bike shop that does repairs that doesn't smell of the stuff…

 

[derrick]

A new pair of cables would make it really nice,

 

[chillyuk]

Is GT85 a residual lubricant?
I have a complete set of cables, brakes and gears, inners and outers, to fit when ready.

 

[Cubist]

Is GT85 a residual lubricant?
I have a complete set of cables, brakes and gears, inners and outers, to fit when ready.

Yes, it leaves a coating of PTFE behind once it dries.

 

[chillyuk]

Thanks all. I will pop down to Halfords in the morning and get some GT85. I have just done the other side, which was also very stiff with WD40, and it is now nice and free. Now I know what I'm doing it only takes a couple of minutes to pop off the covers and give it a squirt!

 

[rusty bearing]

+1 for the GT85. Often frees a sticky shifter when all else fails.

 

[Zoiders]

Shfiters.

Nothing like GT85 as it strips all the lube out, get some silcone spray from the plumbers merchant.

 

[fossyant]

WD40 fine for freeing up STI shifters, then GT85. Don't use a spray grease as it could clog it up. Could also use a 'light' spray oil/dry oil also.

I certainly wouldn't use silicone spray on steel parts - better for plastics/rubber - there are no corrosion inhibitors in it.

 

[Zoiders]

WD40 fine for freeing up STI shifters, then GT85. Don't use a spray grease as it could clog it up. Could also use a 'light' spray oil/dry oil also.

I certainly wouldn't use silicone spray on steel parts - better for plastics/rubber - there are no corrosion inhibitors in it.

Plastic moving parts mostly inside a lot of STI's dependent on age.