People peddling bullshit as fact on KB

**vifferman** · 20th August 2009, 10:13

(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.

**ital916** · 20th August 2009, 10:35

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.

I find the funniest is people telling new riders to sandpaper their new tires....haha

**jetboy** · 20th August 2009, 10:50

Yeah another myth is that Honda riders are gay

**vifferman** · 20th August 2009, 10:52

How about some other examples?
One of my 'favourites' is the "hero wannabe racer dude" one that encourages people to totally ignore the manufacturer's recommendations (built up from extensive testing a research) and run their tyres at race-track pressures on the road, for "improved grip and performance, and faster warm-up".

How about encouraging riders to smash the wing mirrors off or kick the door panels in on cars driven by unobservant motorists? (A more effective and funny option is to open one of their back doors).

Using high-octane gas will make your bike perform more betterer.

If you drop your helmet, or have a crash but don't hit your head, you should immediately replace your helmet. Makes sense - if it's been rigorously designed to protect your head when it hits something at high speed, then surely a minor knock will completely bugger it?

The most insidious examples are those based on or extrapolated from personal experience. "I did this, and was OK, therefore it's OK."

**CookMySock** · 20th August 2009, 10:54

It doesn't really matter does it? Oil? Kero? Hairspray? Olive oil? Bum grease?

Everyone has an opinion, and this is a public forum, so hey lots of people say what they think and they have fun doing it. Thats the most important thing.

If some newbie puts hairspray on their chain it's not going to stop the planet rotating or anything. Relax!

Steve

**vifferman** · 20th August 2009, 10:56

Originally Posted by jetboy

Yeah another myth is that Honda riders are gay

I don't get that. If there was any logic at all to that, then it would be to look at the most gaily-coloured bikes and infer that those bikes were owned by gay people (assuming gay people like gaudy bikes). That would make GSXRs the most gay bikes. Yet we know that all GSXR riders have big balls, are very smart for choosing the most bestest fastest bikes, and are macho.
Perhaps too macho.

**Winston001** · 20th August 2009, 10:58

Helen Clark is a gorgeous woman who causes bikers to go weak at the knees.

**Big Dave** · 20th August 2009, 10:59

I'd bath ME in WD40.

**vifferman** · 20th August 2009, 11:02

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I'd bath ME in WD40.

There are actually people who do use WD40 on their skin, including some who swear by it for helping ease the arthritis in their joints.

**ManDownUnder** · 20th August 2009, 11:04

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I'd bath ME in WD40.

Run out of KY again Dave?

**Headbanger** · 20th August 2009, 11:04

Your sick Dave, Sure it makes a great under-arm deodorant and really makes putting your boots on super easy but your way over the top.

Also makes a great tooth paste, breath freshener, and improves sex.....just spray it on your hand......

**Genestho** · 20th August 2009, 11:04

I have seen some very important and valuable advice on KB, and then there's opinions, then there's BS.

IMO - The onus must be on "you" to find out facts.

**Mikkel** · 20th August 2009, 11:09

Originally Posted by vifferman

There are actually people who do use WD40 on their skin, including some who swear by it for helping ease the arthritis in their joints.

I suppose skin cancer could be a worthwhile trade-off if the arthritis is bad enough.

**FROSTY:Me** · 20th August 2009, 11:22

Viffer- I got in a shit load of trouble with the then pink person "in charge" when I was mechanical forum moderator --- I had a policy of removing without warning posts offering bad advice on the mechanical forums.
One gem I got in a power of shit over was the knucklehead that advised someone else to spray CRC on their brake disk to quieten down the squeaking.
The poster was actually cracking a funny and for that matter is a person I call a freind. The advice out there for one and all to see was a potential accident waiting to happen.

**Ixion** · 20th August 2009, 11:29

Originally Posted by vifferman

I don't get that. If there was any logic at all to that, then it would be to look at the most gaily-coloured bikes and infer that those bikes were owned by gay people (assuming gay people like gaudy bikes). That would make GSXRs the most gay bikes. Yet we know that all GSXR riders have big balls, are very smart for choosing the most bestest fastest bikes, and are macho.
Perhaps too macho.

Overcompensation. The ones in denial are always the worst