Chain Lube?

[motogrady]

Who's using what.

Any favorites?

[sgtslag]

Here is a link to an entire list of chain lube reviews by WebBikeWorld.com:  link.  I've used the Dupont Teflon Multi-Use with good results, before I sold my 750:  dry, does not attract grit and dirt to the chain; needs to be applied every 300 miles, or so, for full effectiveness, as do most lubes; readily available, even at Wal-Mart; highly affordable.  I've used it on other things, at work, and at home, with good results.  Anyway, plenty of food for thought on their search page I put into the first link.  Cheers!

[TOOLS1]

Chain Wax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Man,I don't even know what the stuff is called that I use. Local factory makes the stuff and hands out free samples to us at the speed shop to hand out.If it's free,it's me! Liquid Performance,maybe?


I hear butter works well.


*edit* - Yep, I was right: http://www.liquidperformance.com/motorcycle/maintenance/premium-chain-lube/

[jamman18]

Dupont Teflon here!

[free2ride]

WD40. cleans the chain. doesn't affect the seals.

[sgtslag]

WD-40 was reviewed somewhere, on the Internet, with regards to use in ball bearings.  Can't find it.  Anyway, it demonstrated that WD-40 was not a good lubricant, and it promoted rusting within the bearings.  It is based on fish oil.  It has a multitude of uses, and I really like it, but not for chain lubricating (dry lubricants are best as they don't collect grit and grime, once they dry).  YMMV.  Cheers!

[free2ride]

the chains have sealed o-rings -- why are we lubricating?

[sgtslag]

The sealed O-rings contain lubricant for the internal surfaces of the rollers within the chain.  The outside of the rollers need lubrication as they contact/rub against the sprockets' teeth, as well as the side plates rubbing against the rollers.  Ideally, the drive chain would be bathed in oil, just like the valve timing chain, but the chain and sprockets of the final drive system are exposed, no oil bath, just what we occasionally spray on them, for lubrication.

There are chain oiling systems, with 100% loss:  they drip motor oil onto the chain, in a measured fashion, giving the chain, and sprockets, a continuous, fresh coating of oil.  They're expensive, and they create a mess in the hind-quarters of the bike, but they will double, or triple the life of the chain and sprockets.  Here is a link to some additional information on them:  Scottoiler Review; Cameleon Motorcycle Chain Oiler; Scottoiler eSystem Review.  Those will give you a better idea of the why's and how's of chain oiling.  Cheers!

[free2ride]

see? that's just another reason that I'm here!

[shinyribs]

And another example of why Sarge is awesome.

Seriously dude,you need to write a book.