Ok, everyone, I have a question about my chain lubing habits. First, I lube my chain every 600 or so miles. I use the Champion spray lube from Wal-Mart. I don't clean my chain in between just use a clean shop towel and wipe it off. Then spray it down. It does'nt make any noise and I haven't had to adjust it since I have owned the bike. Am I doing this correct, or should I go into more detail. I have heard some say use kerosene and clean before lubing. What is your guys honest opinion on this?? Am I hurting the life of the chain by not thoroughly cleaning it before lubing it? Thanks in advance.. Lance
How many miles are on the chain, what brand of chain?
Terry, it is the factory chain, 14,000 miles on it. I don't know the brand honda put on it.
Quote from: L J BAD MAG on November 10, 2008, 11:51:56 AM
I don't clean my chain in between just use a clean shop towel and wipe it off. Then spray it down. It does'nt make any noise and I haven't had to adjust it since I have owned the bike. Am I doing this correct, or should I go into more detail. I have heard some say use kerosene and clean before lubing. What is your guys honest opinion on this?? Am I hurting the life of the chain by not thoroughly cleaning it before lubing it? Thanks in advance.. Lance
I utilize Amsoils Metal Protectant as chain lube.. It is more like Chain wax than chain oil.
I make sure the chain is warm.
I use a floor jack and a 2x6 (sideways) and jack under the axel on the Brake linkage side. (I don't have a centerstand)
I rotate the chain by hand and and spray the inside or the chain while rotating (a little awkward).
I like a more wax type product because after it drys (I at least believe) it is more resistant to picking up dirt than a oil or grease type product.
I have an x-ring chain (similar to an o-ring chain) so I do not lube the links much, just the rollers.
I do periodically clean my chain, and when I do I use a WD-40 type product (also use this to get any splatter off the wheels, it works great). I personally would NOT use kerosene as I'm not sure what it would do to the x-rings since they are made of a rubber type material. Once again this may be a difference only in my mind because WD-40 may not be good for the rings either, but I believe it would be less harmful..
Thanks for the reply Hoot. This champion lube is like a wax as well. It says it is waterproof and safe for O-ring chains. It is white when it goes on and then throws it all over my back wheel. :lol:
Quote from: hootmon on November 10, 2008, 12:31:55 PM
Quote from: L J BAD MAG on November 10, 2008, 11:51:56 AM
I don't clean my chain in between just use a clean shop towel and wipe it off. Then spray it down. It does'nt make any noise and I haven't had to adjust it since I have owned the bike. Am I doing this correct, or should I go into more detail. I have heard some say use kerosene and clean before lubing. What is your guys honest opinion on this?? Am I hurting the life of the chain by not thoroughly cleaning it before lubing it? Thanks in advance.. Lance
I utilize Amsoils Metal Protectant as chain lube.. It is more like Chain wax than chain oil.
I make sure the chain is warm.
I use a floor jack and a 2x6 (sideways) and jack under the axel on the Brake linkage side. (I don't have a centerstand)
I rotate the chain by hand and and spray the inside or the chain while rotating (a little awkward).
I like a more wax type product because after it drys (I at least believe) it is more resistant to picking up dirt than a oil or grease type product.
I have an x-ring chain (similar to an o-ring chain) so I do not lube the links much, just the rollers.
I do periodically clean my chain, and when I do I use a WD-40 type product (also use this to get any splatter off the wheels, it works great). I personally would NOT use kerosene as I'm not sure what it would do to the x-rings since they are made of a rubber type material. Once again this may be a difference only in my mind because WD-40 may not be good for the rings either, but I believe it would be less harmful..
Hoot you have WD40 and Kerosene backwards for O-Ring care.
I am playing with a different chain lube, will report on it in the future.
Chain maintenance on my 3rd gen is to clean off the old wax/grit residue with a rag and maybe a VERY LIGHT application of WD40 on the rag, I emphasise LIGHT. Once it is clean and shiny I apply my chain wax as recommended on the can. I am very happy with this process.
Of course all this is done with a hot chain from about 5 minutes of riding.
I do not get any throw off except into the from sprocket box, not a real issue.
I have been dubious of the chain wax craze from the git-go. It seems to me that in order to lubricate the surfaces that rub together, the lubricant has to flow between those surfaces. Maybe when chain wax gets hot, it flows fine. If it does, then why doesn't it sling off? Does this stuff have the lowest surface tension known to man?
The manual calls for 90W oil. I buy it in five gallon cans for my farm gear, so it is readily available and quite cheap. I fill an oil can which I dedicate to 90W and put a drop on each link, on both sides, after wiping the chain down with a rag. I let it sit at least overnight before I ride. Once every five or so oilings, I clean the chain in diesel fuel. I don't think it will hurt the o-rings, but haven't independently verified that it won't. I oil the chain every few hundred miles, more if I have been in gravel or dusty conditions, which is rare.
The chain was near the end of the indicated adjustment range when I bought the bike. I used chain wax, per the dealers recommendation, for the first 4K miles or so, then concluded it was time to replace the chain. I have used only 90W since, have put on another 6K miles or more, and have yet to adjust the chain. This is anecdotal evidence at best, and in no way am I claiming that the 90W is best. It just feels better to me.
I've always only used 80W90 gear oil, and I'm on my 2nd chain in 57M km. It's what Honda recommends.
Most folks tend to over adjust their chain to death. Meaning they adjust it towards the tight side and it stretches!
Case in point I know a fella whom used chain wax prolly every 3000 miles and kept it on the loose end of the adjustment. Has 17K on the chain and it still has plenty of life left on it.
Quote from: Greg Cothern on November 10, 2008, 04:52:55 PM
Case in point I know a fella whom used chain wax prolly every 3000 miles and kept it on the loose end of the adjustment. Has 17K on the chain and it still has plenty of life left on it.
This is Gregs way of patting himself on the back.
You mean you're supposed to do something to the chain!? :shock: :lol:
I used to use WD40 to clean and Maxima chain wax to lube. It did a good job and I got good life out of my chain.
Now I use Motorex Chain Clean 611. That stuff cuts through FAST! and is O-ring safe. Costs a bit more, but I really like the way it works. For lube, I use Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry Wax Lubricant. With the Dupont stuff, even after 1,000 miles, there is ZERO dirt on the chain and still a light coating of a waxy substance. PLUS this stuff is like $2 per can at Lowes. It even lists motorcycle chains as a use and is O-ring safe. I'm more than thrilled with its performance. Maxima chain wax is good stuff, but I think the Dupont Teflon Multi-use wax is better and if nothing else, it's less than half the price....which makes up for using a more spendy cleaner :smile:
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh whats chain wax LOL I don't do anything except fill my bottle :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:
. . . and wipe your wheel, I'll bet.
Naaa, he doesn't wipe it. All that oil helps with his ten minute tire change! LOL :shock: :P
Curtis
Oh heck with the Oiler it is down to 5 minutes :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: 8)
Wipe his wheel? NO NO NO its more like wipe the back half of his bike!
Seen less oil on a 72 Chevy Nova with NO oil seals left in it!!! :lol:
At least I do not have to worry about rust OR squeaks!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Allen, you didn't happen to park on an exit ramp in Georgetown a few weeks ago did you? I think Greg found your trail...
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that was a secret :-? :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:
Quote from: Greg Cothern on November 10, 2008, 08:39:08 PM
Wipe his wheel? NO NO NO its more like wipe the back half of his bike!
I haven't been for any rides with you guys... But Somehow I bet Allen is always chosen to be the "Tailgunner".. :-P
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do appreciate them. :grin: I remember Allen when you pulled up near your camper at MOOTmag6. I thought cool orange bike, and then I proceeded in trying to find an oil rag to wipe it off. :lol:
Yeah but a little fender wiping sure beats replacing the chain more often I have 20000 on the chain and sprockets so far and they look almost new....