People peddling bullshit as fact on KB

**Marmoot** · 20th August 2009, 19:42

Originally Posted by vifferman

(Yeah, I know - I do it all the time, but then you should expect that from my signature line, right?

)
This isn't about me - it's about noobies or inquisitive non-noobs using forums like this as a convenient source of information, and perhaps well-meaning but misinformed people giving them shit advice.

Please make sure that if you are giving advice, you have some reputable source to back it up.

I say this because someone posted on here that using kerosene or other petroleum-based solvents to clean your chain will wreck the o-rings, x-rings, or pqrst-rings in your chain. This is despite technical evidence being readily available from an even a cursory and badly-phrased Interdweeb search that shows that these seals are made from compounds that are unaffected by even long-term immersion in kerosene or any of its derivatives, such as the Stoddarts solvent used as a carrier in WD40, CRC and the like. Kinda obvious, when you think about it, as I bet almost all of the carriers used in aerosol spray lubes for chains are in fact derived from very similar petroleum-base chemicals!

This made me wonder how many other perhaps well-meant but completely erroneous statements (urban myth, if you like) had been posted on here and people believed it because of the way it was posted. In this case, using emotive language basically saying, "if you use kerosene on your o-ring or x-ring chain, you will completely fuck it up!" This is just fear mongering, and even if well-intentioned, is crap behaviour that on many forums would see the post deleted and the person who posted it censured.

The good thing is, that it is relatively easy to separate urban myth from truth if you are preapared to do a little investigation.

Mate, I'm not sure if this is a myth or truth. You'd better have some reputable source to back this claim up.

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th August 2009, 21:55

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

We are very fortunate to have members such as Stranger, whose opinions ARE fact, so we are kept on the straight and narrow.

Well, top marks for consistency.
Consistently confusing opinion and fact and consistently posting stupid shit.

**McJim** · 20th August 2009, 22:06

The sky is green. 'strue. 'nuff said.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 20th August 2009, 22:12

Originally Posted by McJim

The sky is green. 'strue. 'nuff said.

its black at the moment...

**Creeping Death** · 20th August 2009, 22:16

Originally Posted by vifferman

(Yeah, I know - I do it all the time, but then you should expect that from my signature line, right?

)
This isn't about me - it's about noobies or inquisitive non-noobs using forums like this as a convenient source of information, and perhaps well-meaning but misinformed people giving them shit advice.

Please make sure that if you are giving advice, you have some reputable source to back it up.

I say this because someone posted on here that using kerosene or other petroleum-based solvents to clean your chain will wreck the o-rings, x-rings, or pqrst-rings in your chain. This is despite technical evidence being readily available from an even a cursory and badly-phrased Interdweeb search that shows that these seals are made from compounds that are unaffected by even long-term immersion in kerosene or any of its derivatives, such as the Stoddarts solvent used as a carrier in WD40, CRC and the like. Kinda obvious, when you think about it, as I bet almost all of the carriers used in aerosol spray lubes for chains are in fact derived from very similar petroleum-base chemicals!

This made me wonder how many other perhaps well-meant but completely erroneous statements (urban myth, if you like) had been posted on here and people believed it because of the way it was posted. In this case, using emotive language basically saying, "if you use kerosene on your o-ring or x-ring chain, you will completely fuck it up!" This is just fear mongering, and even if well-intentioned, is crap behaviour that on many forums would see the post deleted and the person who posted it censured.

The good thing is, that it is relatively easy to separate urban myth from truth if you are preapared to do a little investigation.

Name and shame...

Sorry,I jumped to the last post

**Ixion** · 20th August 2009, 22:20

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

its black at the moment...

Green is the new black

**AllanB** · 20th August 2009, 22:24

Lets all tell Skidmark she won't get pregnant if they do it standing up

**Morepower** · 20th August 2009, 22:28

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Mate, I'm not sure if this is a myth or truth. You'd better have some reputable source to back this claim up.

I tend to agree , myth or not , using WD40 or CRC is a very controversial subject.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 20th August 2009, 22:29

Originally Posted by Ixion

Green is the new black

oh I thought that was last year

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th August 2009, 22:58

Originally Posted by Morepower

I tend to agree , myth or not , using WD40 or CRC is a very controversial subject.

Exactly the point.
It needn't be, but alas it is controversial, due to the uninformed ramblings of numerous cretins. If the cretins who don't know jack sut the hell up it wouldn't be.

**The Stranger:Me** · 20th August 2009, 23:08

Originally Posted by LBD

And while I am lecturing....

I have an article in a bike mag... I will dig it out when I get home...
It is a test with near new late model sprot bike on a dyno, with 3 different BP octane rated petrols. There is from memory about 3% between best and worst.

A contributing factor in a modern bike is the Knock sensor that detects preignition that is more prevelent with low octane fuels. If preignition (detination) is sensed, timing and fueling is adjusted dropping the performance...this is more the case with lower octane fuels.

Now you need to decide, do I know what I am talking about or am I dribbling from a hole in my head?

Originally Posted by imdying

Yes, no knock sensors for the big four. If there were likely exceptions, I'm picking they'd be the GTR1400 and Goldwing.

The Honda Blackbird came out in 97 with a knock sensor and they are still there on current models. 95 octane sees improved fuel economy over 91 and 98 sees a greater improvement again. So much so that it is cheaper to run the (injected model anyway) Blackbird on 95 or on 98 and you do get better low and mid response in each case.

I'm going to run with True.