Donald Gillies wrote:
> I had this problem recently with i bike i bought through ebay, which
> was received in the mail. It was the 2nd time in my life I had an
> autoshifting problem. Both times, the culprit was a Campagnolo
> Downtube Shift Lever that had been lubed.
>
> Don't lube shift levers.
>
> Clean them thoroughly with de-greasers (such as WD-40) and dry them.
>
> It's called "friction shifting" for a reason.
>
> Lube everything else on your bike EXCEPT for the shifters.
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA, USA
Sorry Don but the shifters need to be lubricated with Campagnolo grease (white lithium). An aluminum shifter pivoting on a steel shifter boss without lubrication is a recipe for galling and premature wear. I've never had problems with autoshifting cause by lubrication.
And WD-40 is not a degreaser. I use WD-40 for a chain cleaner solvent because it leaves behind some light lubricating oil (I then oil with Tri-Flow). If you want to degrease parts, use a parts degreaser (paint thinner) or solvent of your choice.
Incidentally I like the earlier shifters with the steel disk rather than the later nylon disk.
And the only metal to metal joint on a bike where there is some difference of opinion as whether to lubricate or not is the crank to axle union (I lubricate, Campagnolo instructions say not to).
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)