Author Topic: New Chain Lube Question (Read 6580 times)

sparty · « **on:** July 19, 2006, 11:27:34 AM »

I just purchased a new chain and was wondering about proper chain lube. The new chain is loaded with a white, thick and very sticky grease. Should some of it be wiped off the outer links or will it eventually wear down, it seems like it is lubed to the point of overkill at this point.

Thanks,
Sparty

dusterdude · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:29:18 AM »

it probably is,i can see all that white stuff all over your legs and back of the bike if you ride it like that.

sparty · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:40:19 AM »

Yeah, and I am not running a chain guard. I would be well lubed if it should fling off. My wife might like that

dusterdude · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2006, 11:43:32 AM »

uh ok

Steve F · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:56:43 PM »

Just wondering if you have a standard chain or is it an o-ring type? I use Honda's "dry" lube for my o-ring chains, it goes on wet and you can hardly see it after it dries. Doesn't fly off, and keeps the wheel and everything else clean. I think that stuff is made for o-ring chains only, though.

CB750A_Hondamatic · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2006, 10:35:10 AM »

Quote from: Steve F on July 19, 2006, 02:56:43 PM

Just wondering if you have a standard chain or is it an o-ring type? I use Honda's "dry" lube for my o-ring chains, it goes on wet and you can hardly see it after it dries. Doesn't fly off, and keeps the wheel and everything else clean. I think that stuff is made for o-ring chains only, though.

That looks like the way to go on ALL chains! I read, "Compatible with O-Ring and conventional roller bearing chains." I did a Google and found:
http://www.cruiserworx.com/Pro_Honda_White_Graphite_Chain_Lube_p/ho08209-014hp.htm

nickjtc · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2006, 11:57:02 AM »

Quote from: sparty on July 19, 2006, 11:27:34 AM

The new chain is loaded with a white, thick and very sticky grease. Should some of it be wiped off the outer links or will it eventually wear down, it seems like it is lubed to the point of overkill at this point.
Thanks, Sparty

Same stuff was on the chain I just put on the 650. I did nothing and it disappeared over the first long ride. Don't know where it went because is wasn't thrown over the back of the bike!

Zip · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2006, 04:48:38 PM »

Ah, this chain lube question keeps coming back like a virus!

I lube any and all motorcycle chains with . . . <ta-daaaa!> motor oil, applied sparingly with a 1" paint brush to the inner run of the chain just after a ride. Little to no fling, the chains last as long as they can last, oil is _cheap_ and lasts almost forever, as opposed to spray cans of all that fancy crap that don't last long, are expensive, and don't do as good a job as oil.

Put the bike up on the centerstand or, if you don't have a cs, push a small scissor jack under the rignt side of the frame as far to the rear as possible (not under the swingarm), push the handlebars full left, jack 'er up, and apply the oiled brush and spin the tire. I've never had a bike fall over while jacked up this way.

And whatever you do, don't use 'Chain Wax.' It's crap.

Zip

http://tinyurl.com/rv496

eldar · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2006, 04:55:37 PM »

Funny. I use chain wax and it works great. My chain is so much quieter with the stuff on and is wearing great. Maybe you just got bad wax. Now I have used oil and it collected dirt faster than a dog rolling in it.

nickjtc · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2006, 07:49:32 PM »

Scottoiler

eldar · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2006, 07:53:15 PM »

Yes we know your scottoiler!

Whatever works though, right.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2006, 08:03:17 PM »

nick - i haven't heard back from my dad yet, but i'm getting him to check on the oilers to see if he can send me one with a couple other things as well...i'm all about 70,000 miles plus chains...

nickjtc · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2006, 08:38:07 AM »

Quote from: cbjunkie on August 07, 2006, 08:03:17 PM

..i'm all about 70,000 miles plus chains...

Go to their website (Scottoiler.com) for all of the info. and to get the big picture. I know I come across as maybe a bit too enthusiastic about the product! I believe there are testimonials on there too from other riders.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2006, 08:42:55 AM »

well, i can tell you one thing - they are expensive, but no more than comparable counterparts.

i did some googling on Loobman and found some dismal blog reviews...sounds like "you get what you pay for" holds up in this case as in others.

since i'm no iron-butt, i think i'll just stick to keeping the rag and can next to the parking space...

install pics:
http://www.motorcycle-touring.net/mods/loobman.html

a positive review! with some added install/use tips:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13426

seems like a lot of the problems are leaky bikes!! something SOME RIDERS already contend with! ahem! cough! ahardleydem!!

not so smashing review:
http://will.mylanders.com/mc/loobman/

nickjtc · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2006, 08:57:39 AM »

Quote from: cbjunkie on August 08, 2006, 08:42:55 AM

well, i can tell you one thing - they are expensive, but no more than comparable counterparts.

You said it. Even at a 'deal' I paid $170cdn for the ones I got recently.

Zip · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2006, 04:05:03 PM »

Quote from: eldar, Master of the K8 Thunder! on August 07, 2006, 04:55:37 PM

Funny. I use chain wax and it works great. My chain is so much quieter with the stuff on and is wearing great. Maybe you just got bad wax. Now I have used oil and it collected dirt faster than a dog rolling in it.

Cool. I'm glad it works great. Here's what I base my words on:

The last chain on my over-100hp FJ lasted 22k miles with Chain Wax applied on an approximately weekly lube schedule. I went through about a half dozen cans at about $8/per (~$48 plus tax). I rode that chain until it was a noisy, kinked-up mess at 22k miles.

The current chain on that same bike now has over 26k miles on it. I have been using my oil applied with brush method. I don't seem to find any significant dirt on my chains. At any rate, the oil applied with a brush lubes and removes whatever dirt may be there.

I just finished _one_ quart of $1.29/qt of oil on that chain, and that quart was being used on 2 other bikes, as well. This current oil-lubed chain on the FJ still moves freely, makes no noise, and has been adjusted 3 times, not including when the wheel had to be removed for tire changes. This chain still has lots of life in it.

Sure, Chain Wax may work just fine. It doesn't mean there isn't anything better, though.

My .16 bit.

Zip

eldar · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2006, 04:18:17 PM »

Oh I didnt say it was the best. Just that it works good for me. Maybe it was the brand you were using or something. It is hard to say but riding conditions could be different.

nickjtc · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2006, 07:04:24 PM »

Quote from: eldar, Master of the K8 Thunder! on August 08, 2006, 04:18:17 PM

Oh I didnt say it was the best. Just that it works good for me. Maybe it was the brand you were using or something. It is hard to say but riding conditions could be different.

I think that we all have found a system that works best for us. No single system or process works for everyone, so my philosophy is that if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it with something new.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:47:23 PM »

The guy who runs the Thumper Page rides a KLR long distances and he swears by lithium grease. He seems to feel it slowly evaporates and by so doing helps keep the chain a little cooler. ?

Zip · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:14:54 AM »

Quote from: nickjtc on August 08, 2006, 07:04:24 PM

I think that we all have found a system that works best for us. No single system or process works for everyone, so my philosophy is that if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it with something new.

That's ridiculous. The whole point of us even being here (on this world, and on a motorcycle bbs) is to find better ways of doing things. I have first-hand experience (~25 years) with motorcysles, and offered up something _simple_ that I've learned over a long period of time - not just something that seems to work well in the present. What anyone does with it is their own bizniz, of course, but 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it?' I'd expected a little more open-mindedness than that.

Zip

dpen · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2006, 05:50:47 AM »

We've had heaps of posts on this so I'll repeat mine

clean chain with diesel fuel & a brush (diesel is oily & a lubricant)

ride for a couple of days until the diesel seems to have dissappeared

coat chain sparingly with engine oil using a brush

leave a drip tray under the bike as the oil will drip off if you use too much

I've used this method for over thirty years & have always got good life out of my chains (except when I was a teenager & pissed all the time). Beer does make bikes go faster

eldar · « **Reply #21 on:** August 09, 2006, 07:34:26 AM »

Well I guess it all depends on how many bikes you have. I have 1, so if it isn't broke, I WONT mess with it. I would rather ride something reliable then have parts all over my garage just cause I had to try something new. Riding conditions do vary and there is not one method that is good for EVERY condition. Not even motor oil with a brush.

Chain wax works better for me than lithium grease. Works better than other chain lube I have tried. Motor oil may work but my past use of it was less then spectacular and just didnt work very well. Maybe I applied poorly but I am not going to spends hours cleaning and oiling my chain over an over till I get it "right" when in 5 minutes I can have mine chained waxed for the next 500+ miles.

You do your oil, I will stick with my wax. I will replace my chains at regular intervals anyways as part of preventive maintenance.

nickjtc · « **Reply #22 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:06:45 PM »

Quote from: eldar, Master of the K8 Thunder! on August 09, 2006, 07:34:26 AM

Chain wax works better for me than lithium grease. Works better than other chain lube I have tried. Motor oil may work but my past use of it was less then spectacular and just didnt work very well. Maybe I applied poorly but I am not going to spends hours cleaning and oiling my chain over an over till I get it "right" when in 5 minutes I can have mine chained waxed for the next 500+ miles.
You do your oil, I will stick with my wax. I will replace my chains at regular intervals anyways as part of preventive maintenance.

...and that is my point. We all have found procedures that 'work' for us, whether it be how we maintain our chains, how we sync our carbs or what pressures we run in our tyres. Unless what we are doing is unsafe or impacts other road users then any other options available become just that, other options.

BobbyR · « **Reply #23 on:** August 09, 2006, 07:58:53 PM »

I may as well pile on. I have been using all these fancy products and my chain got noisy. Sooooo, I went back to the day and broke out the car posi traction rear end oil. I put it on with a solder brush all the way around. Let her sit over night and that sucker is smooth as possum poop in the rain. Cheap and effective.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #24 on:** August 09, 2006, 09:12:54 PM »

sorry. this bears repeating...

Quote

smooth as possum poop in the rain

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Author Topic: New Chain Lube Question (Read 6580 times)

CB750A_Hondamatic

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eldar

eldar

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