Chain lube?

[zzzbang]

So, stupid question? maybe.

Bored today and ended up readin my service manual. It says not to use products called chain lube or similar to oil your chain (gsxr)? am i missing something?

[Max Preload]

So what does it suggest you use - powdered concrete? :wacko:

[zzzbang]

it says to use motor oil.

[Max Preload]

It won't stay on long. Is that a genuine manual of a Haynes/Gregory's one?

[zzzbang]

genuine service manual from suzuki, probably lost something in the translation.

[Max Preload]

That's bizzare.

I was using the PJ1 chain lube (I turned the Scottoiler off for a trial) before I threw the bike down the road and I was impressed how little throw off there was (lube from the chain, not me from the bike... I wasn't impressed with the latter! :rofl:).

[idb]

Go into a bike shop and ask for some chain lube.
It'll probably come in an aerosol can and be really sticky so it doesn't fly off.

[Quailboy]

Yep, it is wrong.

Use chain lube for the chain, motor oil for the motor.

[The Pastor]

Motor oil works fine, just have to put it on way more often.

[Big Dave]

Lubricants with adhesive or wax can do more harm to a Z ring chain than running it dry.

The Z or M or O rings keep the lube that is installed in the chain's production process in place.

The waxes and glues sometimes adhere abrasive road grime to the chain and cause the neoprene rings to wear out faster.

I personally use WD40 on my chains and it doubled their life. It needs regular 2 second sprays however.

[Kendog]

That sounds strange, I will have to read the manual again.
I am using spray on chain wax (not sure of brand) with no issues.

[imdying]

Lubricants with adhesive or wax can do more harm to a Z ring chain than running it dry.

The Z or M or O rings keep the lube that is installed in the chain's production process in place.

The waxes and glues sometimes adhere abrasive road grime to the chain and cause the neoprene rings to wear out faster.

I personally use WD40 on my chains and it doubled their life. It needs regular 2 second sprays however.
Hmmm, what about the W rings? :whistle:

[Big Dave]

Hmmm, what about the W rings? :whistle:

They are M rings - you had it upside down.

There are others too - as you know it refers to sectional profile of your..err...ring.

[davebullet]

Unless you keep your chain clean (a wash with kerosene I hope is not destructive to the O-rings), then lube plus road grime = abrasive.

My chain was black and grimy and kerosene did a lovely job removing all the muck, followed by a lube so I can milk as much of the massive 32hp @ the crank as I can.

I just use the Castrol chain lube in an arsehole can. You can get it from Rip(off)co

[Oscar]

Lubricants with adhesive or wax can do more harm to a Z ring chain than running it dry.

The Z or M or O rings keep the lube that is installed in the chain's production process in place.

The waxes and glues sometimes adhere abrasive road grime to the chain and cause the neoprene rings to wear out faster.

I personally use WD40 on my chains and it doubled their life. It needs regular 2 second sprays however.

I'm wid you on the grime and dust thing.
Chain lube + gravel road = faster wear.
There was a thread going on this subject in the Adv section:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=90189

[Big Dave]

This is from a RK chain advert. the cross section shows what the shizzle all does.

The modern chains don't need lubricating themselves - it's built in - but the contact between the roller, plate and sprocket can do with help I figure.

No point gumming up the works about it though. I'm guessing that is Suzuki's point.

[nallac]

most of the factory manuals say to use oil as opposed to lube.

Me i clean the chain regulary and oil it, stays nice and clean ,not a hell of alot of gunge to wear out the chain and sprockets.

[cs363]

Well according to the World's number 1 motorcycle chain manufacturer:

'The motorcycle drive chain must be kept clean and lubricated regularly. The life of the chain can be extended and maximum transmission efficiency can be achieved through simple maintenance with a dedicated cleaner and lubricant. Our chain maintenance products are specifically designed for high performance motorcycle drive chains.'

http://www.did-daido.co.jp/en/shouhin/motorcycle/index.html


I'll stick with the combination of quality chain, regular clean with kerosene and lubing with quality chain lube.
Hasn't failed me yet....

By the way, I find this stuff: http://www.belray.com/consumer/product.fsp?pid=13616 to be an excellent all round lube, especially on the dirt bike as it seems to be a drier type of lubricant that doesn't seem to attract dirt/sand etc. as much as others I've used.

But each to their own, that's just my 2c :)

[Big Dave]

Indeed the nub is clean and lubricated - and not gummed up with accumulated gunk.

WD40 is a good cleaner too.
Soak a rag in it and run the chain through - tres shiny.

[cs363]

Indeed the nub is clean and lubricated - and not gummed up with accumulated gunk.


Hmm.....bad mental picture..... :rofl:

[Big Dave]

Hmm.....bad mental picture..... :rofl:

Quips and chains excite you!

[H00dz]

Yep, it is wrong.

Use chain lube for the chain, motor oil for the motor.

hehe like this post.....Its reads so simple and yet it's so encompassing of the real issues that it leaves nothing for granted and in done such and intelligent manner without confusing us with Long winded dribble.....(oops I'll stop now)

Bloody good post though:laugh:

[Radar]

Motor oil works fine, just have to put it on way more often.

Correct. Since motor oil will fling off more, so you will need to clean the back of your bike more often. I know this from using motor oil, as recommended by Loobman, but now I use 90w gear oil and it stays on longer (Loobman says you can use 90w also). See: http://www.loobman.com/

[Mr Triple]

All I use is 90w gear oil as well and the chain is so easy to clean. I do clean with kerosene alot and use very little oil but put some on every 300ks or sooner if need be. I don't get mush fling with this method.

[Sharry]

Is Isopropyl Alcohol ok for cleaning the chain? I havn't used used it but thought it might be similar to methalated spirits.

So far I have been cleaning it with FW1 Cleaning Wax every 500-700kms and lubeing with Moto chain lube about every 300kms

[nallac]

All I use is 90w gear oil as well and the chain is so easy to clean. I do clean with kerosene alot and use very little oil but put some on every 300ks or sooner if need be. I don't get mush fling with this method.

yip thats how i do it to....

[Okey Dokey]

My gsx-r 750 manual says use Suzuki chain lube or the equivalent one designed for o rings, and to use kerosene to clean the chain.

[Anarkist]

Unless you keep your chain clean (a wash with kerosene I hope is not destructive to the O-rings), then lube plus road grime = abrasive.

My chain was black and grimy and kerosene did a lovely job removing all the muck, followed by a lube so I can milk as much of the massive 32hp @ the crank as I can.

I just use the Castrol chain lube in an arsehole can. You can get it from Rip(off)co

I'm exactly same for the VTR.

Got the Castrol stuff from Super Cheap for $8 or something. It does the trick!

[CookMySock]

Is Isopropyl Alcohol ok for cleaning the chain?Maybe that would be ok if you just wiped the chain with a alcohol-dampened rag, but if the alcohol got into the chainlinks I think it would remove the film of lubricant.


Correct. Since motor oil will fling off more, so you will need to clean the back of your bike more often. I know this from using motor oil, as recommended by Loobman, but now I use 90w gear oil and it stays on longer (Loobman says you can use 90w also). See: http://www.loobman.com/Yeah, but most gear oil stinks. I use spray wax stuff in a can, and alternate it with Amsoil bar and chain lube. If I had an oiler, I'd use Amsoil bar and chain exclusively. Its damn good slippery shit, it stays on, and it doesnt smell like a leaky diff, and its Amsoil.

Steve

[Sharry]

Thanks DB I will just stick to what I'm doing then as that works for me.
When you guys clean with Spirits do you scrub the chain with a tooth brush or wipe it with a wet (with spirits) cloth.

[popelli]

am i missing something?


yes a scotoiler

[hospitalfood]

I spent 7 hours last saturday trying to oil the chains on my bikes. gave up in the end.

[nallac]

I spent 7 hours last saturday trying to oil the chains on my bikes. gave up in the end.

Haha, just have to install a scottbeltluber and driveshaftluber:yes: