Teflon Cables - Better, Or Just Hype?

[sign216]

Are Teflon coated control cables really better? Or are they just an advertising gimmick?

I'm replacing the cables in a vintage bike (1969 Benelli), and I'm curious as to whether I should get Teflon. I've heard some reports that the Teflon is really just nylon, and you're not even getting what you pay for.

I've had a number of motorcycles, but none of them ever had such fancy stuff. 

[oldbike54]

 Nylon lined cables have been standard for years . If you have owned a bike built since what , about 1980, it had lined cables . In my opinion , they are superior

  Dusty

[Don G]

Dont ever think about lubing them, the liner will make an appearance shortly thereafter! DonG

[sign216]

Nylon lined cables have been standard for years . If you have owned a bike built since what , about 1980, it had lined cables . In my opinion , they are superior

  Dusty

I'm sure that lined cables are superior, my query is whether a Teflon lining is really superior to the nylon standard. I don't think they've used unlined cables since WWII.

[lucian]

Hi Joe, I'm glad your getting some time to spend on your bikes!  I can't help much with this one as I don't think I ever had Teflon cables. Maybe they would pull easier being all self lubey and all. I sure some help will be along shortly. Good luck and happy new year.  Dave 

[oldbike54]

I'm sure that lined cables are superior, my query is whether a Teflon lining is really superior to the nylon standard. I don't think they've used unlined cables since WWII.

 Ahh 

  Dusty

[sign216]

I'm asking if Teflon is advertising "eyewash" because aircraft Bodwen cables are not teflon-lined.  You would think that they would be the first to use use them.

[sign216]

Hi Joe, I'm glad your getting some time to spend on your bikes!  I can't help much with this one as I don't think I ever had Teflon cables. Maybe they would pull easier being all self lubey and all. I sure some help will be along shortly. Good luck and happy new year.  Dave 

Thanks Dave, I dragged the Benelli down to my basement so I can work on it over the winter while my workshop is being built.

It's next to the washer and dryer.   The missus is not pleased.

[oldbike54]

Thanks Dave, I dragged the Benelli down to my basement so I can work on it over the winter while my workshop is being built.

It's next to the washer and dryer.   The missus is not pleased.

 How to deal with that might be a more important question 

  Dusty

[PeteS]

If the price is the same get teflon. Teflon will outlast us all. Nylon, probably not. Nylon absorbs water, swells and gets brittle. I suspect the bike will get limited use so let your wallet decide.

Pete

[sign216]

How to deal with that might be a more important question 

  Dusty

My workshop is going up in two weeks, so it's temporary. This abates her displeasure.

Of course I never told her the motorcycle was going down there. Just one day she walks down and sees it.
( just one of the many things that happens when she's not home)

[Cam3512]

Where are you getting the cables for your Benelli?   Aftermarket sources are non-existant for the Stornello Scrambler.

[sign216]

Where are you getting the cables for your Benelli?   Aftermarket sources are non-existant for the Stornello Scrambler.

Going to get universal cables and alter them myself.  It's pretty simple technology.

Getting them from this moped shop I've used before, which I like greatly.  http://treatland.tv/

[Cool Runnings]

Teflon coated control cables were a big deal for mountain bikes in the 1990's. They do work great, except they would wear pretty quick. Not sure why you would want them for motorcycles?

[oldbike54]

My workshop is going up in two weeks, so it's temporary. This abates her displeasure.

Of course I never told her the motorcycle was going down there. Just one day she walks down and sees it.
( just one of the many things that happens when she's not home)

 I will never ever question your bravery 

  Dusty

[sign216]

Teflon coated control cables were a big deal for mountain bikes in the 1990's. They do work great, except they would wear pretty quick. Not sure why you would want them for motorcycles?

Some vendors tout Teflon coated cables as an upgrade over standard cables.  In theory they sound great.  I hadn't heard of excessive wear.

I'm surprised that no one's commented on my earlier remark that airplanes still use standard cables (at least the planes that still use cables).  For me, that's the definitive answer.

[sign216]

I will never ever question your bravery 

  Dusty

Dusty,

I'm not as brave as I sound.  We have a 1 car garage (for the moment) and it's her Miata that get's it. 

That makes her lenient. 

My bikes (4) are stashed all over; basement, shed, and spots in the garage.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I work with engineering plastics a lot. I would think that teflon would be too soft for that application, and have premature wear. Are you sure it's teflon?

[sign216]

I work with engineering plastics a lot. I would think that teflon would be too soft for that application, and have premature wear. Are you sure it's teflon?

They all advertise Teflon, but it's been suggested that's it's really not.  Or it could be, but it's beginning to sound like Teflon is sub-optimum anyway.

Which is why I started this, to learn.

[Cool Runnings]

They all advertise Teflon, but it's been suggested that's it's really not.  Or it could be, but it's beginning to sound like Teflon is sub-optimum anyway.

Which is why I started this, to learn.

Just use good cable lube during install. 

[jacksonracingcomau]

They all advertise Teflon, but it's been suggested that's it's really not.  Or it could be, but it's beginning to sound like Teflon is sub-optimum anyway.

Which is why I started this, to learn.

Teflon cables from Venhill UK are superb in my long experience, on my (daily) bike for well over 25 years
I make mine from lengths I bought (they sell individual kits too)

But there is one unknown
Teflon liner matches with SS wire for "Featherlight"
Their "Nylocable" uses gal wire

How much difference is in the Teflon or in the non corrosive wire ?
I could make Nylo with ss to find out but as said above nylon goes hard and could crack if bent hard, teflon soft forever


All down to expectation/needs and budget, I can't put price on "feel" of cables, would pay just for that, longevity an added bonus.
Always need for throttle, clutch maybe less so,

Hope that helps

[John A]

I think the reason aircraft don't use lined cables is that most places unsheathed cables are used. In the few places sheathed cables are used, like emergency brake and landing gear systems, they are not in constant use. I don't remember if those were lined or not. They were single wire, not stranded. I've found that on motorcycles, about mid life of a lined cable, it could use a little help. I've been useing cable lube for wire feed welders, sposed to be formulated to not degrade liners. Don't let it run down into the carbs much though, it is conductive and will kill the spark until it's cleaned off. Don't know about Teflon liners, they have tried Teflon on everything from frying pans to pistons ,sometimes it works. As someone else suggested, even if they call it teflon I wonder if it is.

[56Pan]

There's really no need for a sheathed cable in aircraft, and the FAA would not allow them anyhow.  You have to run a rag down the length of all control cables during certain periodic inspections to check for broken strands in the cable.  The holes in bulkheads that the cables pass through in every Boeing I've ever seen have white nylon-looking "fairleads" to prevent chafing.  Some mfrs. may use Teflon for that application.  I don't know.  But you have to be able to inspect the cables for broken strands.

[canuguzzi]

Teflon coatings are often fragile and wear quickly. Solid teflon when used to make parts like linear bearings last a long time, it is the application that makes a huge difference.

There are many materials called nylon but are really different. Delrin, Acetal, UHMW, VHMW and lots of other materials are often called nylon. You really have to get past marketing to be sure what it is.

Teflon must be specially treated to adhere to other materials, obviously. Obviously too, the process and methods must be very good or the Teflon can flake off and goo up the works.

Like most things, high quality means better performance. Haphazard quality and it is hit or miss.

That said, high quality nylon will work just as good for cable coatings as Teflon for bike cables. They move very little and if the cables are routed properly, last as long as you need.

Cable routing is very important. Tight bends and it doesn't matter what coats the cables or sheaths, they will wear and create problems.

[lost]

There are many materials called nylon but are really different. Delrin, Acetal, UHMW, VHMW and lots of other materials are often called nylon. You really have to get past marketing to be sure what it is.

If in fact someone is calling any of these materials Nylon it would be fraud. These materials are in an entirely different family of materials. Delrin and Acetal are in the same family. Delrin is a trade name for a specific companies Acetal. Even among specific families of materials there are an unlimited variety of additives to meet specific needs. Before choosing one it is important to assess all physical and chemical requirements and then look for a family of materials that will meet the requirements. Otherwise product failure may ensue and blame would be put on the material instead of the lack of due diligence in picking the material.

[Mark West]

I work with engineering plastics a lot. I would think that teflon would be too soft for that application, and have premature wear. Are you sure it's teflon?

Exactly! Teflon has less wear resistance than the vast majority of plastics and should never be used in a dynamic application. It can be filled with other materials to make it stronger but then you lose some of the slippery advantages. I think if you coated a cable most of the teflon in wear areas would be gone in a very short time.

[Furbo]

They are Da Bomb.

Bought alotta teflon lined stock for throttle and clutch cables aseveral years ago and have been making my own ever since. They can really help those older bikes with the big Dell's feel almost Japanese.

[sign216]

I went with standard lining (Nylon or some other plastic).  The vendor had pre-made universal cables that are easy to adapt to my Benelli 350, so that pushed my decision.

Teflon lined cables sound like they could work, but need a maker that really understands the application and is willing to tailor the final product.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Venhill Featherlight cables as mentioned above. I always make my own cables and thought  the "teflon" was hype....Then I tried a Venhill ....There is a difference, a big difference in how the clutch feels ....All that much better...

[jacksonracingcomau]

Venhill Featherlight cables as mentioned above. I always make my own cables and thought  the "teflon" was hype....Then I tried a Venhill ....There is a difference, a big difference in how the clutch feels ....All that much better...

They are Da Bomb.

Bought alotta teflon lined stock for throttle and clutch cables aseveral years ago and have been making my own ever since. They can really help those older bikes with the big Dell's feel almost Japanese.

Guess it's us 3 against the wisdom of WG

I work with engineering plastics a lot. I would think that teflon would be too soft for that application, and have premature wear. Are you sure it's teflon?

C'mon Chuck
Upstairs for thinkin'

Soft and hard, which wears first ? gudgeon pin or soft bush, rocker spindle or soft bush ?

Truth is I've worn out SS 7x7 inners, replaced them keeping Teflon liners, but that's fact, shouldn't let that get in the way of a good story.