Cleaning the chain...

[Charles S Otwell]

I'm still running on the used sprockets Bob donated and the used chain Robert donated. Seems like everytime I get a little change saved up something else around the house breaks. Hopfully before Mootmag I'll have a new set. I'm having pretty good luck with the spray wax, so I'll probably stay with that. I use a masterlink so I just take mine off and clean it in diesel then dry it with an air hose.

[lragan]

I use a masterlink so I just take mine off and clean it in diesel then dry it with an air hose.

So, Charles, tell me about this "master link".  Mine is staked in place, like all the other links.  Are you using clips?

[TLRam1]

Someone mentioned a screw-on link a while back.

[Charles S Otwell]

Yep, just a plain old master link with a clip, but then I never run over 115 so I'm not as hard on it as rest of you guys . I've never lost a chain or known anyone who has. But it's all about what your comfortable with. I never use old used master links, new links are to cheap not to just replace them when I break down a chain.

[Damn Yankee]

Just put on a new DID 530...was going to rivet it but decided to go with the master link+clip upon assurances of a veteran biker friend who has never had problems with them...Web research suggests most failures occur as a result of faulty installation, but I'll still keep a close eye on it. One tip I read was to dab a film of silicone gasket sealant over the clip. Not a last line of defense, but it can't hurt either. That, and the blue color makes it easier to spot for inspection.

Otherwise, it felt good to get Maggie rolling again after a longer-than-usual winter, especially with a new chain and sprockets. Really nice to hit that throttle and zip around I-696 traffic.

I used Bel Ray chain wax on the last chain...worked okay, but wasn't wild about the buildup. (Yeah, I shoulda sic'd the kerosene after it.) I spotted a bottle of Liquid Wrench cycle chain lube at Harbor Freight and thought what the heck...supposed to be okay for O-rings and is not supposed to fling off. Have yet to use it; Any experience out there with this product? If nothing else, I'm out three bucks.