Chain Lubrication

I dont like wd 40, on chains. It has such a high solvent base, I think the solvent sticks around for the new lube. I usually wipe it off, using old socks, then apply new. Brand? I like Maxxima, but there a lot of good ones.

Every few months, I clean the chain really well. I use shout laundry spray. But, for day to day work, adding is sufficient vs stripping it all off and trying again.

I know it's not a popular answer but, as one who used to be terribly anal about chain maintenance, I rarely lubricate my chain and I only clean it every 2 to 3 hundred miles or so. I just replaced the chain on my Hypermotard and it had the original chain with about 30,000 miles on it. No links were tight and the sprockets were in excellent shape. I really only changed it out because I felt like I should. It easily could have gone another 10,000 miles.

I will clean the heck out of it if I ride in the rain.

I used to break the chain once a year and clean it with kerosene. I would clean it and lubricate it after almost every ride or, at a minimum, once a week. The chain didn't last any longer.

O-ring chains are remarkable devices that do a terrific job of keeping the lubricant inside the o-rings which is where it belongs.

Not that I would know the difference, but the N1K uses an X ring chain.
Is that better or worse than O ring?

I use cheap 80-90W gear oil (it's what most manuals call for). In 9 years of riding I'm still on my second bottle. I clean the chain once a week normally (about 400-800 miles a week). I'm at 15500 miles this year and the chain and sprockets look fine. I'm thinking i'll get close to 30000 before they need a change.

No difference between an x ring and o ring. It's mostly the shape of the ring. They're still round.

X-Ring

Nice graphic...looks like 4 small contact points on the X....under stress I imagine it melts against the sides

never use WD 40 on a chain, use kerosene to clean....

best chain Lube: Dupont Chainsaver in an aerosal can....at Walmart...

I clean and lube every 500 miles, usually just wipe it with a rag for cleaning, and then lube with 90W gear oil. Couple times a year I give it a good cleaning with kerosene and re-lube.

bigthaw said:

never use WD 40 on a chain, use kerosene to clean....

best chain Lube: Dupont Chainsaver in an aerosal can....at Walmart...

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+1 on Dupont Chainsaver. Dupont also makes a chain degreaser.

Old thread but hey... It's my understanding X-ring has more sealing surface than O-ring and holds lube better.

I use Motul Road chain clean and lube. I lube every 400-500 miles or so depending on if the chain feels dry or not. If it's tacky you're good. I strip and clean with a grunge brush every 3,000 miles or so but if it feels dirty I'll do it sooner.

My chains are lasting about 15,000 miles. They could last longer but I change them out during the big 15k maintenance interval.

Yes, grunge brush is nice.

How does winter hibernation affect chain?

I imagine it's according to what you're using for lube.

I wipe my chain with a rag soaked in WD-40 prior to hibernation. Just to help prevent surface rust.

No hibernation for me.... just finished a 200 mile ride LOL

sprockethead said:

No hibernation for me.... just finished a 200 mile ride LOL

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You're this close (my thumb and index finger showing a tiny space in between) to having your non-helping posts banned for winter.

ToNY97 said:

You're this close (my thumb and index finger showing a tiny space in between) to having your non-helping posts banned for winter.

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I'll keep the ride reports to a minimum until May...

ToNY97 said:

You're this close (my thumb and index finger showing a tiny space in between) to having your non-helping posts banned for winter.

Click to expand...

Bwahahaha