Author Topic: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant  (Read 6385 times)

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Offline jcarthel

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Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« on: October 13, 2009, 07:17:59 pm »
Hi all!  I am wondering what a good no mess chain lubricant would be.  On my '72 CB 750 I made the chain oiler disfunctional so I oil my chain at about 700 to 1000 miles, sometimes less frequently. I have been using PJ1 Black Label.  It works great!  My o-ring chain is still within specs after 8,000 miles.  Problem is the PJ1 makes a huge mess!  My chrome rim on my rear tire turns greasey black.  PJ1 gets on my exhaust pipes, kickstand, and center stand.  A greasy mess!!! After cleaning the bike with Simple Green and a rag followed by a rinse with water and a towel dry (about 2 hours of labor), I decided there has to be a better way!  Every spoke on the rear wheel was coated with the thick PJ1 grease (arghh...)!  Thoughts anyone?  What about dry chain lube like bicycle shops sell?  What would lubricate the chain well, but not make a mess?

Justin in Texas

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2009, 07:22:15 pm »
I also have shut-off the oiler on my K0 and use PJ1. I have no real problems with it making a mess though. Are you wiping-off the chain (with a rag for example) after you lube it? Lube on the exterior of the chain does little except accumulate dirt and grit. Better to wipe it off after things have set.
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Offline Honda?

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2009, 07:24:38 pm »
Shaft drive.  :P
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Offline moham

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2009, 07:27:32 pm »
I just go some Shaeffer chain lube that is supposed to resist fly-off as well as have some "anti-static" charge so that it doesn't attract dust/dirt etc...

I thought the chain specific lubes were suppose to dry firm and not fly-off creating mess?
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Offline jcarthel

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2009, 07:37:52 pm »
I have never wiped off my chain after using PJ1 Black Label.  I let it set overnight and then ride, the "mess" soon follows.  Will wiping off the chain eliminate the "mess".  If so, how long after applying do you need to wait before wipe off.  I thought about trying PJ1 clear to see if the "mess" lessened.  I am more tempted to try a dry chain lube?  Do dry chain lubes work and which ones work good?

Justin in Texas

Offline Johnie

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2009, 07:48:42 pm »
I use a product called Chain Wax. I do not notice a large amount of overspray.
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Offline jcarthel

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2009, 07:54:58 pm »
Thanks!  Can you get "Chain Wax" at most any bike shop or is it an online product?  Your bike looks like you don't have a problem with the "mess" and "slinging."

Justin

Offline CBGhia

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2009, 08:08:09 pm »
Chain Wax is made by Maxima and can be had from any major bike shop.
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2009, 08:37:33 pm »
Chain wax for me also. I'm using a standard Diamond brand chain and thats all I have used on it.
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2009, 02:47:16 am »
.. If so, how long after applying do you need to wait before wipe off.

I do it immediately. Wiping off the exterior still leaves behind enough of a film to protect against corrosion.
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Offline KB02

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2009, 05:37:30 am »
I let it set overnight and then ride, the "mess" soon follows.  Will wiping off the chain eliminate the "mess".  If so, how long after applying do you need to wait before wipe off.  I thought about trying PJ1 clear to see if the "mess" lessened.  I am more tempted to try a dry chain lube?  Do dry chain lubes work and which ones work good?

In Bold is pat of your problem - the other part is that chain lube makes a mess... there's just no getting away from that.

Try this: Take the bike out for a good ride to get the chain warmed right up. THEN lube the chain with the PJ1 and let it sit overnight. In the morning wipe off the excess. By lubing while the chain is warm, it helps the lube to seep into the little cracks and crevasses where it needs to be where as a with a cold chain it isn't as likely to do that.
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Offline lrutt

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2009, 05:43:29 am »
If you run an oring chain then the only thing you really need to worry about is keeping the chain from rusting and providing only the most minimal amount of lubrication. You will never get any lube past the orings to lube inside the chain so don't even try. The traditional chain lubes and using them on a hot chain are the requirements for non-oring type chains. That works.

But for orings, clean the chain up good and use the chain wax. You have virtually no mess this way and your chains will last a goodly long time. It's key to keep this greasy buildup off the chain as it only attracts dirt and sand that acts as an abrasive and accelerates chain wear instead of preventing it. So use sparingly.
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Offline 333

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2009, 06:14:52 am »
Lubing your chain while warm is key to getting the lube where it is needed.  It is the only way to lube an o-ring chain.  The only thing I would add is when you do the wipe off the next morning, spray WD-40 on the rag.  This will allow a more thorough cleaning on the outside of the chain.
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2009, 07:07:16 am »
You might want to search around for some Kal-Gard (with moly). I bought a case of it (10) in 1992, still have 6 cans left, it lasts that long and takes so little. If you spray it on a warmed-up chain, then let it set its wax overcoat for an hour or so, there is very, very little flingoff.

My normal method: I wash down the chain at the carwash (like on the way home from work), ride a few miles until it dries out, centerstand the bike and spray it on only the inside. Then I let it sit overnight. About once or possibly twice per season, I'll clean the rear wheel of the little bit of splatter.

The PJ1 is good lube: it just "crawls" along on the bike.  :D
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Offline edbikerii

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2009, 07:53:54 am »
I used PJ1, but I think there are some special procedures.

First, only oil the chain when it is hot after a good ride, then let it soak in.  Wipe off the excess.

You may still get a little bit of fling on the rim, but nothing you can't just wipe off with a paper towel & WD-40.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #15 on: October 14, 2009, 11:57:09 am »
FWIW, here's the result of a test done by the Dutch AA, many years ago (punten means points.) Winner happens to be bio-degradable too, but I believe nowadays most are.

Shell Advance 51 punten
Profi Dry Lube 50 punten
Sonax 48 punten
AS 48 punten
Motul 48 punten
Castrol 47 punten
Bel-Ray Chain Lube 42 punten
Motorex Chainlube 622 40 punten
S100 Kettingspray Wit 39 punten
S100 Kettingspray 39 punten
Putoline Tech Chain 35 punten
Itaco 35 punten
Valvoline Chain & Cable lube 34 punten
Putoline O-Ring 33 punten
Spray It 32 punten
« Last Edit: October 14, 2009, 11:58:56 am by Deltarider »
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #16 on: October 14, 2009, 06:03:02 pm »
Get my chain wax at my local Honda dealer.
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #17 on: October 14, 2009, 06:12:33 pm »
FWIW, here's the result of a test done by the Dutch AA, many years ago (punten means points.) Winner happens to be bio-degradable too, but I believe nowadays most are.

Shell Advance 51 punten
Profi Dry Lube 50 punten
Sonax 48 punten
AS 48 punten
Motul 48 punten
Castrol 47 punten
Bel-Ray Chain Lube 42 punten
Motorex Chainlube 622 40 punten
S100 Kettingspray Wit 39 punten
S100 Kettingspray 39 punten
Putoline Tech Chain 35 punten
Itaco 35 punten
Valvoline Chain & Cable lube 34 punten
Putoline O-Ring 33 punten
Spray It 32 punten


Cool!
Do you have any more details about what all of those are? Like, are they moly types, oil types, wax types, etc.?
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Offline NoXi

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #18 on: October 14, 2009, 06:13:49 pm »
i use jb chain oil.  its cheep and cleans up decent. *just make sure that the wheel isnt spinning fast when you wipe of the oil.... did that with my electric scooter a while ago and clipped off a good portion of my thumb
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Offline MJL

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #19 on: October 14, 2009, 06:50:46 pm »
I read about some kind of teflon chain lube, I'll have to find it again.

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« Last Edit: October 14, 2009, 06:53:50 pm by MJL »
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #20 on: October 14, 2009, 11:46:37 pm »
Quote
Cool!
Do you have any more details about what all of those are? Like, are they moly types, oil types, wax types, etc.?
Again: FWIW.
Test was carried out many years ago. They were all the kind that gets on fluid, so it can penetrate and stiffen later. Products were tested for lubing performance, durability and fling off. I don't remember any information about substances. I'm satisfied with this Shell product, but the old way: chain in a warm Castrol Kettenfett bath was best. Chain became real hot this way and not the kind of luke warm after riding. Alas, this product is not in the shops anymore. Very best IMO is a closed chain housing. Dutchman Henk Besselink claims to have covered 230.000 kms+ on his CB 750 with the same chain in a Tyrra casing, with only one adjustment so far. Another made in Germany was the "Becker Fettkasten". In such an oilbath chains lived forever. I don't know why they've disappeared. Maybe they leaked. If they were still around, I definitely would buy one. I believe MZ motorcycles still have enclosed drivechains. Sensible bikes, MZ's.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2009, 07:18:32 am by Deltarider »
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Offline IHWillys

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #21 on: October 16, 2009, 09:08:25 am »
...Very best IMO is a closed chain housing. Dutchman Henk Besselink claims to have covered 230.000 kms+ on his CB 750 with the same chain in a Tyrra casing, with only one adjustment so far. Another made in Germany was the "Becker Fettkasten". In such an oilbath chains lived forever. I don't know why they've disappeared. Maybe they leaked. If they were still around, I definitely would buy one. I believe MZ motorcycles still have enclosed drivechains. Sensible bikes, MZ's.

The early '80s Yamaha XV920RJ, aka "Euro" Virago, had an enclosed chain though I don't think the chain ran in an oil bath.  Regardless, it was reported to be very easy on chains, presumably due to the protection from weather/dust/dirt/sand/etc.  Obviously, it also keeps the chain lubricant off the bike.

Edit: Satisfied user of the Maxima Chain Wax here.

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Offline mrblasty

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #22 on: October 16, 2009, 10:27:05 am »
I have used Bel Ray chain lube for several years.  It is the only lube that is truly no fling.  After cleaning the chain let it dry, spray the lube and let dry 20 minutes.  This stuff really sticks.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2009, 12:16:43 pm by mrblasty »
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #23 on: October 16, 2009, 07:40:07 pm »
Quote
Cool!
Do you have any more details about what all of those are? Like, are they moly types, oil types, wax types, etc.?
Again: FWIW.
Test was carried out many years ago. They were all the kind that gets on fluid, so it can penetrate and stiffen later. Products were tested for lubing performance, durability and fling off. I don't remember any information about substances. I'm satisfied with this Shell product, but the old way: chain in a warm Castrol Kettenfett bath was best. Chain became real hot this way and not the kind of luke warm after riding. Alas, this product is not in the shops anymore. Very best IMO is a closed chain housing. Dutchman Henk Besselink claims to have covered 230.000 kms+ on his CB 750 with the same chain in a Tyrra casing, with only one adjustment so far. Another made in Germany was the "Becker Fettkasten". In such an oilbath chains lived forever. I don't know why they've disappeared. Maybe they leaked. If they were still around, I definitely would buy one. I believe MZ motorcycles still have enclosed drivechains. Sensible bikes, MZ's.

There were 3 distinctly different enclosed chain cases for the 750 that I remember. One was from Bates, I think, and the other two from companies that seemed to only offer that item, then disappeared. One of those was a diecast aluminum unit that bolted where the chainguard used to on K2 and later swingarms, and reached all the way around to the front sprocket. It had a rubber bellows top & bottom where it crossed the swingarm. Very difficult to install properly, ran 90w oil inside. There were several seals on it: one behind the countersprocket and one behind the rear sprocket (which didn't actually work back there, but relied on the centrifugal force to fling the oil outward to the case for recovery). I only know of one of these that got installed, but at last contact it had gone over 20,000 miles without a single adjustment, nor need for it. It was pretty heavy, at about 12 pound.

The other one (not Bates) was a 2-piece upper-lower shell of sheet metal that had a lower portion that reached up under the countersprocket to catch the drips: worked fairly well, except fot the 90w oil drool that would slowly collect on the sidestand (much like with conventional chain lube). It kept the dust off the chain and [most of] the oil inside, and greatly improved chain life over exposed chains. It was easily bent, though, and only fit the K2-K6 bikes because of the forward chain guard's bolt hole (which is missing on K0-K1 arms).

The third one was just a fiberglass clamshell that fit over the chain like a dust cover. It would enclosed the chain lube spray, which had to be applied through a little removeable rubber plug: it was almost impossible to see inside to determine if the chain needed adjustment. Many of these, therefore, got destroyed when the loose chains started whacking away on the lower case half on accel, and would tear out chunks on the top half, right near the swingarm pivot, during hard decel. I remember riding to Black Hills [across South Dakota] and seeing one of these lying on the side of the road in pieces, and then several more unmistakable pieces of other ones along I-90 after that, during the week after Sturgis, 1972. I think this was the one Bates was selling. (I also noted at least two Bates windshields lying on the side of the same road, from their ill-fated handlebar fairings!)
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Offline Pinhead

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Re: Looking for a good no mess chain lubricant
« Reply #24 on: October 16, 2009, 07:58:10 pm »
I always liked the idea of an enclosed and oiled drive chain but I never really looked closely enough to try to figure out how to implement it.
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