Unlike artwork or antiques, motorcycles are made to be used and abused. With all elements found in environment, motorcycle parts will definitely have its final day. When that day comes and you don't have enough money to buy new ones, why not settle for used motorcycle parts, e.g. cables? With a few tinkering and proper installation, they might just provide you service you need in many years to come.

Here are some suggestions for proper installation of used motorcycle parts and cables:

Tip #1: Inspect and make sure you have correct cable. This is very first step in getting best used cable you need. Inspect used cable for any major wear and tear. Remember that these are used cables so it will definitely have a few scratches; but it must not be too great that using it for just a few days will result in a total bust. After you have checked thoroughly, make sure you have correct part for application, e.g. correct cable ends, proper size casing ferrules, correct size, shape and thread size of adjusters/elbows, etc.

Tip #2: Make sure all adjusters are in "closed" position.

Tip #3: Use a direct route for cables. Route your used cables from control to actuator in most direct way possible. Keep cables away from hot surfaces and avoid sharp bends, as well as "kinks" in housing or inner cable.

But what are OEM parts, you ask. And what about aftermarket?

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts These are genuine parts found at an authorized distributor of your brand of motorcycle. They are usually considered as originals because they have exact same specifications that came with original part. They are generally more expensive and almost always recommended by dealers because of higher income they'll get selling OEM parts. Hence, they will always tell you that OEM parts are of higher quality.

But this may not be true due to fact that parts are not necessarily produced by original manufacturers themselves. Many motorcycle and automobile manufacturers nowadays often have parts designed and made outside by independent companies. Afterwhich motorcycle manufacturers install them in their machines or put them in their own boxes to be sold as OEM parts.