Sorry MC, not true. O-ring chain still requires lubing, just not near as often. But like any chain, it needs to be lubed when it's warmed up, after a decent ride. When you lube a warm chain(O or non O), the lube gets sucked in as the chain cools. The next morning, take a rag sprayed with WD40 and wipe off the excess. The chain doesn't need lube on the outside.
The other thing that needs to be addressed is when replacing sprockets, the chain needs to be replaced as well. These wear at the same rate, and if one is replaced without the other, the new part will wear out in about 10% of it's normal life(depending on how worn the old parts are).
I'll accept a difference of opinion. I did a search on "does an Oring chain need lube". I found a reference to the "drawing in effect" from a mechainc site, but not from an "official source". Here's an interview with PJ of PJ Lubes. He says the chain manufacturers do a good job sealing the lube in. Their lube is not designed or intended to get behind the ORing (I assume that would be defeating the whole purpose). Their lube is to get all around the Oring, thus preserving it which makes sense. Also keeping the ORing clean, free of grit is important.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0506_motorcycle_chain_lube/index.htmlI'll continue to clean and lube mine for preservation and the sprocket chain interface. I would have to see hard evidence to convince me that lube can go from the outside to the inside of an ORing. If it did than the reverse would be true and the whole concept is flawed.
Here's some quotes lifted from the article:
"MC: Does the Blue Label have any sort of penetrating carrier to get behind the O-ring, then wick away to leave the lubricant inside?
PJH: Not to get behind the O-ring, but to get all over it. We do not want to penetrate the O-ring seal. The chain manufacturers have done an excellent job of developing a good internal lube."
and
"MC: If an O-ring chain lube doesn't need to get lubricant past the O-rings and inside the chain, what does it do for the chain then?
PJH: It keeps the chain from rusting, it lubricates the O-ring itself and it does provide some cushion effect between the chain roller and the sprocket, which reduces wear on the sprockets and increases the chain's life."
