Classic & Vintage - Friction Shifters-Lube or No Lube?

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Old Yeller
01-30-06, 12:26 PM
Should Campy NR/SR friction shifters be lubed or dry? When lubed with Tri-Flo they tend to slip and if I clean the lube off and use them dry they feel sort of rough but dont slip.

lotek
01-30-06, 01:05 PM
I've never lubed friction shifters, just cleaned them
well when they begin to feel gritty.

Marty
oglala_1927
01-30-06, 01:13 PM
:D friction shifters need to be dry, otherwise NO friction!!!

cyclotoine
01-30-06, 01:16 PM
I ad a touch of bearing grease for the smooth feel. I guess I risk slippage, and it means they have to be taken apart and cleans every now and then but, meh...
dbakl
01-30-06, 02:59 PM
I've always greased the barrels, then stick a screwdriver through the 'D' ring and spin it really TIGHT!

Nah, just kidding about that part. The friction works fine with lube.
Old School
01-30-06, 08:02 PM
:D friction shifters need to be dry, otherwise NO friction!!!

+1 ;)
number6
01-30-06, 09:00 PM
There are two answers I think, Older all metallic Campagnolo shift levers, use Campagnolo grease. Later units with the nylon or nylon looking washer, I put a bit on the pivot barrel only, none on the business, compression carrying parts.
Old Yeller
01-31-06, 05:14 AM
Thanks for all the replies. I'll clean them up and put a dab of grease on the shift boss and be done with it. Hopefully that'll cure the slipping.
infinityeye
02-02-06, 08:42 AM
I like silicone dielectric grease for this and derailleur bearings.