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View Full Version : Do you grease your chain?


Yamerhaw
02-10-2009, 10:15 PM
Just wondering what you guys do, i dont ever grease my chain, havent on any of the last 10 bikes i've owned, I just clean it with kerosene and wipe it off...

never had any problems, sold one of the R1's to a friend, and we finally replaced the stock chain at 25,000 miles

i just dont see how lube helps much other than maybe preventing rust,


I do mean only with 0-ring chains though, i would definately lube chains that were not 0-ring

how bout you?

Sixxxxer
02-10-2009, 10:17 PM
When I get my bike serviced they grease it...Otherwise, No

Mikey
02-10-2009, 10:25 PM
When I lived in AZ, I only lubed the chain when it got washed or after a heavy rain.

Here in Okinawa, I lube all the damn time, but only because it would rust to hell in a month if I didn't.

Trip
02-10-2009, 10:26 PM
i use chain clean and lube. The lube has blue in the name i forget the full name. Usually about every 200-300 miles, my chain looks brand new til I replace it.

Cutty72
02-10-2009, 11:24 PM
i use chain clean and lube. The lube has blue in the name i forget the full name. Usually about every 200-300 miles, my chain looks brand new til I replace it.

I used to lube my chain... back when I had a chain...
I've moved on to bigger and better things since then.

Belt FTMFW!

And I used Bel-Ray lube...

BobTheBiker
02-10-2009, 11:37 PM
I clean/lube my chains very frequently.

Riceaholic
02-11-2009, 12:48 AM
I ride in the rain a lot so yes...all the time.

tommymac
02-11-2009, 07:40 AM
I am now somewhat offroadin gmy priller by riding on these jobsites so I think I need to get more active in cleaning the chains now. I have been using the motul chain lube. goes on and doesnt seem to fling much if at all compared to others.

tom

marko138
02-11-2009, 07:54 AM
In a word: No. But when I had a chain I lubed pretty often. Why?...it's not really necessary on sealed o-ring chains...but it kept the noise down a bit. I used Dupont Teflon lube from Lowes.

rogue
02-11-2009, 08:10 AM
I clean mine with kerosene and keep it waxed about every week or so, depending on how much I ride.

tommymac
02-11-2009, 08:11 AM
In a word: No. But when I had a chain I lubed pretty often. Why?...it's not really necessary on sealed o-ring chains...but it kept the noise down a bit. I used Dupont Teflon lube from Lowes.

I had heard a lot of good things about them too.

Tom

xx CURVE xx
02-11-2009, 08:17 AM
:idk:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/xxCURVExx/crisco.jpg

Trip
02-11-2009, 08:19 AM
I used to lube my chain... back when I had a chain...
I've moved on to bigger and better things since then.

Belt FTMFW!

And I used Bel-Ray lube...

We need to make this part of Godwin's Law for motorcycles, whenever chains are mentioned some buell fanboy has to come in and say "nee ner nee ner I got a belt." We get it, you got a buell. It's not a fucking ducati or MV, stop being like a harley rider, oh wait you are a harley rider. :lol:

rogue
02-11-2009, 08:22 AM
We need to make this part of Godwin's Law for motorcycles, whenever chains are mentioned some buell fanboy has to come in and say "nee ner nee ner I got a belt." We get it, you got a buell. It's not a fucking ducati or MV, stop being like a harley rider, oh wait you are a harley rider. :lol:

:rofl: :rofl:

I almost spit my drink on my monitor when I read that. :lol:

neebelung
02-11-2009, 08:27 AM
i use chain clean and lube. The lube has blue in the name i forget the full name. Usually about every 200-300 miles, my chain looks brand new til I replace it.

Same here (it's the stuff from Cycle Gear, kind of a domed lid)

And if I get caught in rain for more than a couple minutes, it gets an extra cleaning/lubing.

Oh and for those who do lube their chain often, and have a hard time getting the lube off your hands without removing your fingerprints? Armor All Wipes are the BEST thing in the world for this (and they don't remove all traces of skin oil :lol: )

z06boy
02-11-2009, 10:09 AM
I clean mine every so often with this stuff and if it's really dirty I will also use a grungebrush.

http://shop.sydneycitymotorcycles.com.au/pictures/3950/6/1245316-1.jpg

I lube it with this stuff.

https://www.jcmotors.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/JCM-92400-A16.jpg

fnfalman
02-11-2009, 10:35 AM
I do it at around 1000-miles or so. Clean, lube and adjust. I prefer Kloz lube because it doesn't fling much and you don't need much. I use WD-40 to clean. Or if I were to take the KTM off road and it got all gunked up, then I'd clean with hot, soapy water and a brush to get the majority of the gunk off, then WD-40 and lube.

marko138
02-11-2009, 11:25 AM
I do it at around 1000-miles or so. Clean, lube and adjust. I prefer Kloz lube because it doesn't fling much and you don't need much. I use WD-40 to clean. Or if I were to take the KTM off road and it got all gunked up, then I'd clean with hot, soapy water and a brush to get the majority of the gunk off, then WD-40 and lube.
I also used WD-40 to clean mine.

CrazyKell
02-11-2009, 11:53 AM
I ride in the rain quite a bit (it follows me) so I try and do it on a semi-regular basis.

6doublefive321
02-11-2009, 03:33 PM
I clean mine with kerosene and keep it waxed about every week or so, depending on how much I ride.

Me too. Clean with kero every so often, coat with Maxima chain wax to keep the rust away. Technically, o-ring chains only need cleaning.

Mr Lefty
02-11-2009, 04:05 PM
We need to make this part of Godwin's Law for motorcycles, whenever chains are mentioned some buell fanboy has to come in and say "nee ner nee ner I got a belt." We get it, you got a buell. It's not a fucking ducati or MV, stop being like a harley rider, oh wait you are a harley rider. :lol:

:lol: I was thinking that too.

Gas Man
02-11-2009, 04:07 PM
i use chain clean and lube. The lube has blue in the name i forget the full name. Usually about every 200-300 miles, my chain looks brand new til I replace it.
Probably this
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/0000_PJ1_Blue_Label_Chain_Lube_--.jpg

A non-o-ring chain is very important to have proper lube. Otherwise the chain super heats, can warp or stretch prematurly.

O-ring chains you are mostly chasing surface rust. The most important thing on the o-ring chains is to keep dirt out of the o-rings. So cleaning is PRIMARY. If you don't keep dirt out of the rings, the dirt chews up the ring, then the packed grease flings out and poof... no more grease. but the o-ring is still there preventing you from properly greasing where you need to.

Mr Lefty
02-11-2009, 04:15 PM
So gas the more expensive x "ring" chains need more lube than the o rings? Cause they'll warp? Thought the x "rings" were supposed to do just the opposite

JoshuaTree
02-11-2009, 07:00 PM
What is this 'chain maintenance' procedure you all seem to be discussing? :whistle:





redflip

racedoll
02-11-2009, 09:38 PM
I lubed it once back when I first got the bike, but now I just clean it with WD-40.

Cutty72
02-11-2009, 09:57 PM
We need to make this part of Godwin's Law for motorcycles, whenever chains are mentioned some buell fanboy has to come in and say "nee ner nee ner I got a belt." We get it, you got a buell. It's not a fucking ducati or MV, stop being like a harley rider, oh wait you are a harley rider. :lol:

Yup... it's better than a Duc or MV :nee:

What is this 'chain maintenance' procedure you all seem to be discussing? :whistle:

Watch out... el Mod will get after you for this behavior... :lol:



redflip

Trip
02-11-2009, 10:45 PM
He's ok, he's on a Beemer.

ceo012384
02-12-2009, 01:25 PM
Clean with kerosene.

Lube with dupont teflon lube.

MILK
02-12-2009, 01:28 PM
Thanks for the reminder. I'm due.

unknownroad
02-12-2009, 02:54 PM
Scottoiler here. I get rained on regularly, and the humidity rusts everything around here (I even spray a light oil on all my steel hand tools, otherwise they'll rust sitting in the toolbox)

Mr Lefty
02-12-2009, 03:00 PM
damn that must suck...

EpyonXero
02-12-2009, 03:20 PM
I clean mine with WD-40 and I put a coat of chain wax on it to try to protect it. Theres so much salt in the air wher4 I live that a rusty chain is inevitable.

Gas Man
02-13-2009, 12:27 AM
So gas the more expensive x "ring" chains need more lube than the o rings? Cause they'll warp? Thought the x "rings" were supposed to do just the opposite

No... what I'm saying is with ringed chains its more important to clean them than anything. That is why so many talk about cleaning with kero. It is a great cleaner that won't dry out like gasoline and being its an oil it has lubing properties.

With the ringed chains, lube is locked in with the ring seal at the places where it needs to be. You just need to keep that ring clean and some lube on the surface to keep it plyable.

Mr Lefty
02-13-2009, 12:38 AM
ahh ok... that's what i was thinking you meant... but just wanted clarification. thanks

tommymac
02-13-2009, 12:41 AM
I have heard from some that wd40 isnt good for the o-rings. I used to use it quite a bit then switched to the motul chain cleaner and a grunge brush or a rag.

Tom

Gas Man
02-13-2009, 12:43 AM
Grunge brush or FTW

marko138
02-13-2009, 07:54 AM
I have heard from some that wd40 isnt good for the o-rings. I used to use it quite a bit then switched to the motul chain cleaner and a grunge brush or a rag.

Tom
Absolute myth. I used it for years and years and never had an issue.

6doublefive321
02-13-2009, 09:31 AM
Absolute myth. I used it for years and years and never had an issue.

Ditto. Used WD-40 on my dirt bikes' chains for years with no issues. It will fly off and make a mess, but it won't hurt the o'rings.

ZUKIMON
02-14-2009, 01:00 AM
One of the main ingredients in Water Displacer 40 (cool huh? :D) is petroleum distillates, aka, kerosene. If you don't care to use kero, then you shouldn't care to use WD. ;)

tommymac
02-14-2009, 08:27 AM
Absolute myth. I used it for years and years and never had an issue.

I had used it quite a bit previously as well without any issues, but had seen it come up in discussions similar to this on other boards.

Tom

racedoll
02-14-2009, 09:29 AM
Absolute myth. I used it for years and years and never had an issue.

It's really the only thing I've used and not had problems. My husband has been using much longer than I and no problems either.

Ninjakel
02-14-2009, 11:44 AM
This is what we use.