On Jul 15, 11:31*pm, zxcvbob wrote:
...on a bicycle that hasn't been used in a while. *It doesn't look
rusty, but that's probably what it is.

Liquid Wrench, or WD-40?

Bob

Just go to a bike shop and buy a new cable. Seriously, it's not worth
fighting with it. The better ones are now made of stainless and still
aren't any more expensive than a can of penetrating oil. Make sure
you get some ferrules and also when you cut the housing, make sure you
dress the housing end flat with either a file or a bench grinder.

good luck

nate