Chain maintenance

[JonKerr]

Well, I figured I'd give an update on my previous suggestion.

The first time I serviced my chain I used Maximum (sp?) Chain Wax and it did a very nice job, didn't sling off at all and didn't really build up much grime over 600 milles. On my second service I used the DuPont Teflon spray..... and after about 75 miles, my upshifts started feeling lurchy. I hadn't changed anything about my technique, so it kinda took me a minute to figure out what the problem could be. Well, this continued for another 100 miles and I decided to service the chain again. This time I used the DuPont stuff then followed it up with the Chain Wax. Put a couple hundred more miles on it to make sure the issue was resolved before I posted and sure enough, things were immediately back to being silky smooth again.

So, IMO: The DuPont stuff is good but for shorter intervals, unless you seal it with the wax spray. So really, just the chain wax is fine too. The main benefit of the DuPont stuff was that it dries completely clean, although as long as you let the wax set for a couple of hours it doesn't fling off either.

I actually ran that Dupont stuff a while back on my chain. I hated it. The chain felt stiff and gummed up after one ride.

 

[dart1963]

Well, can't say much about "feel" but I can say this about the DuPont stuff,
1) It's hard to tell how much you have, if it's coated well
2) It's hard to tell if it's still there after one ride...

I didn't notice any shifting difference... I actually think it keeps the chain clean, if it's there. I had a couple times (and I usually do my chain every weekend) where I had surface rust on the outside, probably not bad, but I hate any signs of rust.

Tried the Liquid wrench chain lube, I can see it!... but it attracts some serious crud....

oh well, guess I'll try the next best product, why can't they make a dyed wax?

 

[Blue-Sun]

Chain Life??

Does anyone know the average useful life of a chain if it is properly maintained?? Miles??

Thanks in advance

 

[MikeN02]

I'm starting to get a little rust on the side of the chain... pretty odd.

I've been keeping up with the maintenance, every 600 miles or every ride in the ride or wash.

 

[matt_not_andrew]

Does anyone know the average useful life of a chain if it is properly maintained?? Miles??

Thanks in advance

Depends on number of factors - how you ride, type of chain lube, gear ratios etc. I think you should be happy if you manage 6-10k out of a stock chain with regular maintenance. You should be able to double that if you use a chain oiler. I have a Scottoiler on every bike I own besides my crosser and normally it's about 5k between chain adjustments.

I would personally avoid WD40 as a cleaner and lube cause it can remove the oil from the O/X ring which is the part you really want to stay lubed. Before using the scottoiler on bikes I used Kerosene to clean the chain. I'm told it's kinder to the rings and cleans it up a treat. After brushing it on with the girlfriends toothbrush and giving it a good scrub I would wash what I could off with water and then take the bike for a couple of mile ride to fling off the most of the kerosene and warm up the chain. Then apply your favourite lube to the warm chain, wipe away any spills or excess and leave to set/dry/penetrate.

With the scottoiler, while it does fling off because it's a total loss system, it does prolong chain life in my opinion. It makes for a messy rear section that need more vigorous cleaning but its generally a fit and forget option. Apart from top ups every 500miles or so which takes all of 1 minute and replacement of the delivery nibs when required, it keeps your chain clean and lubed. If you ride in a country where they salf the road in winter then remember to turn up the drop rate in the cold months.

On the WD40 note, I have spoken with a chap who took an XR400 across the Sahara desert and he swore by it for both cleaning and lubing. He would clean the chain every morning with WD40 and a brush/rag and then not bother applying any lube to it afterwards. The reason for this was any viscous lube would make the sand stick to it and effectively sandpaper the chain and sprockets together causing premature wear. Same reason why most people who ride dirbikes off road use a not sticky type of lube and more non setting oil base type. He was running an Oring chain and could afford not to use lube in those conditions. For normal road riding I would recommend regular maintenance and lube.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[99vengeur]

I'm starting to get a little rust on the side of the chain... pretty odd.

I've been keeping up with the maintenance, every 600 miles or every ride in the ride or wash.

That's likely just surface rust. I see some every now and again, especially after several days of riding in the rain before I get some dry days to redo the chain. It always comes off when I clean though.

 

[Blue-Sun]

Depends on number of factors - how you ride, type of chain lube, gear ratios etc. I think you should be happy if you manage 6-10k out of a stock chain with regular maintenance. You should be able to double that if you use a chain oiler. I have a Scottoiler on every bike I own besides my crosser and normally it's about 5k between chain adjustments.

I would personally avoid WD40 as a cleaner and lube cause it can remove the oil from the O/X ring which is the part you really want to stay lubed. Before using the scottoiler on bikes I used Kerosene to clean the chain. I'm told it's kinder to the rings and cleans it up a treat. After brushing it on with the girlfriends toothbrush and giving it a good scrub I would wash what I could off with water and then take the bike for a couple of mile ride to fling off the most of the kerosene and warm up the chain. Then apply your favourite lube to the warm chain, wipe away any spills or excess and leave to set/dry/penetrate.

With the scottoiler, while it does fling off because it's a total loss system, it does prolong chain life in my opinion. It makes for a messy rear section that need more vigorous cleaning but its generally a fit and forget option. Apart from top ups every 500miles or so which takes all of 1 minute and replacement of the delivery nibs when required, it keeps your chain clean and lubed. If you ride in a country where they salf the road in winter then remember to turn up the drop rate in the cold months.

On the WD40 note, I have spoken with a chap who took an XR400 across the Sahara desert and he swore by it for both cleaning and lubing. He would clean the chain every morning with WD40 and a brush/rag and then not bother applying any lube to it afterwards. The reason for this was any viscous lube would make the sand stick to it and effectively sandpaper the chain and sprockets together causing premature wear. Same reason why most people who ride dirbikes off road use a not sticky type of lube and more non setting oil base type. He was running an Oring chain and could afford not to use lube in those conditions. For normal road riding I would recommend regular maintenance and lube.

Just my 2p worth.

I had cleaned the chain on my KLR-650 with deisel, let it dry overnight, then applied Bel-Ray Super Clean Wax. I got about 18K on my stock chain. I rode a lot of dirt, at the time.

I won't be doing that with FZ6R, and needed some advice on non-enduro chain cleaning and lubrication.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[TigerGenetics]

Just wondering if anyone has used Seafoam Deep Creep to clean their chain? Guy at a local shop told me he uses it as well as a buddy of his who rides a 'busa.

 

[Roaddawg]

Depends on number of factors - how you ride, type of chain lube, gear ratios etc. I think you should be happy if you manage 6-10k out of a stock chain with regular maintenance. You should be able to double that if you use a chain oiler. I have a Scottoiler on every bike I own besides my crosser and normally it's about 5k between chain adjustments.

I would personally avoid WD40 as a cleaner and lube cause it can remove the oil from the O/X ring which is the part you really want to stay lubed. Before using the scottoiler on bikes I used Kerosene to clean the chain. I'm told it's kinder to the rings and cleans it up a treat. After brushing it on with the girlfriends toothbrush and giving it a good scrub I would wash what I could off with water and then take the bike for a couple of mile ride to fling off the most of the kerosene and warm up the chain. Then apply your favourite lube to the warm chain, wipe away any spills or excess and leave to set/dry/penetrate.

With the scottoiler, while it does fling off because it's a total loss system, it does prolong chain life in my opinion. It makes for a messy rear section that need more vigorous cleaning but its generally a fit and forget option. Apart from top ups every 500miles or so which takes all of 1 minute and replacement of the delivery nibs when required, it keeps your chain clean and lubed. If you ride in a country where they salf the road in winter then remember to turn up the drop rate in the cold months.

On the WD40 note, I have spoken with a chap who took an XR400 across the Sahara desert and he swore by it for both cleaning and lubing. He would clean the chain every morning with WD40 and a brush/rag and then not bother applying any lube to it afterwards. The reason for this was any viscous lube would make the sand stick to it and effectively sandpaper the chain and sprockets together causing premature wear. Same reason why most people who ride dirbikes off road use a not sticky type of lube and more non setting oil base type. He was running an Oring chain and could afford not to use lube in those conditions. For normal road riding I would recommend regular maintenance and lube.

Just my 2p worth.

I swear by WD40 as well. I use it to clean the chain (as well as other greasy parts and to remove that damn DB windshield sticker) and then wipe it down with a rag. I've heard that you SHOULD NOT use a brush on o-ring chains as it will force grim in between the o-rings and also rub on the o-rings as well. After I wipe the chain clean, I then thoroughly lube the chain with spray wax. I have over 18k on the stock chain and sprocket and there very minimal (if any noticeable) wear. I also clean and lube once a week (or every 500-600 miles)

 

[dart1963]

I swear by WD40 as well. I use it to clean the chain (as well as other greasy parts and to remove that damn DB windshield sticker) and then wipe it down with a rag. I've heard that you SHOULD NOT use a brush on o-ring chains as it will force grim in between the o-rings and also rub on the o-rings as well. After I wipe the chain clean, I then thoroughly lube the chain with spray wax. I have over 18k on the stock chain and sprocket and there very minimal (if any noticeable) wear. I also clean and lube once a week (or every 500-600 miles)

I use kerosene, when it's really grimy, to clean the chain... then the dupont teflon wax... I just recently found the maxima, which is a dyed wax! but it's about twice the price of the dupont so, I use the dupont as a kind of second cleaner and a quick spray with the maxima to see I have have coverage, probably overkill.

I've heard good things about WD40, it's supposed to push all the water out. like you said, I think the important thing is to actually do it on a regular basis, not just when you think it's starting to look bad.

 

[motoneta123]

Question: every how many miles should i clean/lube my chain i been riding 150/200 miles a week in So Cal, it never rains here... my last bike was a kawa vn750 (shaft drive) so i have no idea about chain care could anyone please tell me? thanks

 

[dart1963]

Question: every how many miles should i clean/lube my chain i been riding 150/200 miles a week in So Cal, it never rains here... my last bike was a kawa vn750 (shaft drive) so i have no idea about chain care could anyone please tell me? thanks

:rtfm:

You should follow the OM, periodic maintenance (not just the chain) starts on page 7-3....

600 miles, or after washing the bike, or after riding in the rain.

 

[motoneta123]

yes the OM, thanks i'll better read it :banghead:

 

[Fenixgoon]

so here's a dumb question:

in my excitement to clean my chain for the first time, i forgot to go for a ride! i still gave it a thorough cleaning (kerosene + toothbrush) and lubed afterwards. how big of a deal is it? i'm guessing the next cleaning will be after only a short period instead of ~600 miles?

 

[dart1963]

so here's a dumb question:

in my excitement to clean my chain for the first time, i forgot to go for a ride! i still gave it a thorough cleaning (kerosene + toothbrush) and lubed afterwards. how big of a deal is it? i'm guessing the next cleaning will be after only a short period instead of ~600 miles?

it's an o-ring chain... it's not going to hurt it toooooo bad

I'll take cleaning and lubing it without a warm-up ride over letting it sit any day.

 

[Rao]

Yeah, I'm Posting in this thread... alot of good information in here, but I've run into an interesting situation that has me stumped:

I cleaned my chain for the first time today, as the rear sprocket was making alot of noise. After cleaning and lubing the chain, I take the bike for a spin, and immediately notice the rear sprocket is super quiet. (yay)

However, after about 10-15 minutes, I notice the front sprocket is making alot of noise. The tinny high-pitched chain noise only comes up when I'm using throttle. When I'm coasting, engine breaking, or using the clutch, I don't hear a thing.

Any Ideas? I'm certain I used ample amounts of lubricant wax....

 

[roadrat]

I'm pretty lazy so after I clean my chain I'm not always up for bringing it down off the stand, gearing up and riding it to warm the chain up for lubing... so I use my wife's hair dryer. Ha! Works great. And... no pressure to lube fast before the chain cools... I just warm up a section at a time. Gotta get a dryer just for my own use though - she hasn't noticed yet but eventually she will.

 

[linkgt]

Wait, after you clean the chain you're supposed to warm it up before lubing? Never heard that before till now...

 

[Bloke]

Yup. A short 15 minute bimble is enough.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

 

[Chucker]

Yeah, I'm Posting in this thread... alot of good information in here, but I've run into an interesting situation that has me stumped:

I cleaned my chain for the first time today, as the rear sprocket was making alot of noise. After cleaning and lubing the chain, I take the bike for a spin, and immediately notice the rear sprocket is super quiet. (yay)

However, after about 10-15 minutes, I notice the front sprocket is making alot of noise. The tinny high-pitched chain noise only comes up when I'm using throttle. When I'm coasting, engine breaking, or using the clutch, I don't hear a thing.

Any Ideas? I'm certain I used ample amounts of lubricant wax....

I get this on mine as well. I've checked and rechecked to make sure everything is lined up as it should be. I think it's the chain hitting the plastic guide in front of the front sprocket. I've never been able to see any adverse affects on my chain or sprocket, so I think it's OK.