Chain lube?

[oracle]

I think they recommend it like every few hundred kms or so.

I've read on a couple of occasions that you should lube it every 500km and clean and lube it every 1000km. But I've seen how cruddy the chain can get in even 50km and would rather spend the 30min and like $2 on kero to clean it every time. The thing that spent the most time I think is since I don't have a paddock stand get and the fxr didn't have a centre stand having to do a section, wheel the bike forward a half a metre or so, put more newspaper down to keep the parents' driveway clean then struggle to keep the newspaper from blowing away. Just as well my driveway was just long enough that I would just reach the footpath when I reached the end of the chain that I hadn't cleaned (or lubed on the way back) yet

[Katman]

Pull the bike over onto it's sidestand to get the rear wheel just off the ground.

Rotate the wheel a little by hand and then put the wheel back on the ground.

[sinfull]

Or a scissor jack to hike up one side while it's on the side stand !

so it doesnt flick off onto my wheel and make it dirty!
.

Don't care !

[bogan]

Pull the bike over onto it's sidestand to get the rear wheel just off the ground.

Rotate the wheel a little by hand and then put the wheel back on the ground.

I used a bit of 2x2 that slotted nicely under the rhs peg when it was lifted, raised the rear wheel about 5mm. Saves pulling the bike over each time you need a new bit of chain.

[oracle]

Pull the bike over onto it's sidestand to get the rear wheel just off the ground.

Rotate the wheel a little by hand and then put the wheel back on the ground.

Given that I'm not the biggest girl in the world and the bike was well over my weight I was fine with my method, better that than risking dropping the bike with me under it

[Katman]

Given that I'm not the biggest girl in the world and the bike was well over my weight I was fine with my method, better that than risking dropping the bike with me under it

Get someone to show you how to do it.

You'll find it a piece of cake.

[HenryDorsetCase]

My ST - R had had a scottoiler fitted at some point. It wasnt fitted when I got the bike, but the legacy is a HUGE amount of shit all over the back of the bike. A complete arse to clean, took ages.

I had wondered if they were worth getting but based on that, I wouldnt bother.

I have a can of either ELF or Motul (I think) "Chain wax" in a brown can which is excellent.

[oracle]

Get someone to show you how to do it.

You'll find it a piece of cake.

I know how to do it, I've done it before when checking out the last bike I had and it wasn't easy trying to keep the bike stable and turn the wheel. But as I said I'd rather not risk it when I had enough driveway that I could do it my way, only pain was the newspaper which would be just as bad if the bike stayed in one place. I'm gonna buy a paddock stand if my offer on a new bike gets accepted tonight anyway. So no more worries for me

[Katman]

I know how to do it,

No worries - you just keep doing it your own way then.

[explode64]

Chain Saw Bar Oil! Sticks like shit to a blanket, Been using it on our Road Bike and Shifter Kars for years.

[MaxCannon]

Back when I used to have to worry about such things I did the following.

Got a big bottle of Kerosene from the supermarket (cheaper than the servo).
Saved an old toothbrush from the bin.
Got a 1L bottle of chainsaw bar lube oil from Repco - about $10 I think.
Got a $2 paintbrush from the warehouse.
Turned an old T-shirt into a rag.

Every 1000km I'd chuck on some gloves, put the bike on the centrestand, brush the chain with kerosene using the toothbrush. Rub it clean with the rag.
Wait a few minutes for the kero to evaporate then spread a tiny bit of oil over the whole chain using the paintbrush.

When I serviced the bandit before it was sold the chain and sprockets had barely worn in 15,000km of hard riding.

3 bikes, 30,000km and it cost me about $30 all up (and I still have most of the that oil).

But nowdays I just get on the bike and ride wondering why more bikes don't have shaft drive.

[shanks]

I really appreciate the free advice that we can get on Kiwibiker!

Since Im a newbie and I want to clean my chain because I have no idea when it was last done by the previous owner... So to sum it up

I clean the chain with kerosene and toothbrush and rag!
Then I ride the bike for a wee bit to heat up the chain.
Now that the chain is warm, I apply the Chain Saw Bar Oil like this one? http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/onli...79#Description

Then I wait one day before riding?

If you have any suggestions for type of lube to use, do let me know. Its a hornet 250.

[p.dath]

I've probably stick to ordinary motorcycle chain lube specially designed for the purpose, which you'll be able to get at any motorcycle dealer. There are different kinds suited to different purposes - but not really bad options, so don't get worried about weather to go for chain wax, chain lube, or chain something as - as long as it is intended for chain lubrication.

You only apply the lube to the inside rollers, and only once around the chain. Once done wipe the excess off the outside of the chain with a rag.

You don't need to wait a day before doing riding. Just a short while for the solvent to evaporate leaving just the sticky lube behind.


You don't need to clean the chain with Kerosene as often as you lube it either. If you are riding on the road every week only lube the chain weekly (lube it each time you go through one tank of fuel), and clean it every six months with Kerosene.


And if given the choice, it is better to apply a little bit of lube frequently, than lots infrequently.

[bsasuper]

Well I have used maxima chain wax for about 19 years now, it wont fling off or attract dust, a big can will last for ages ($18 last time I got one).I've tried everything from other brands of waxes, gels, no fling super whatever, but I found maxima chain wax to be the best.Chainsaw bar oil is what it says on the label, for a chainsaw, not a motorcycle chain.

[Flip]

Oil is oil. A little often is better than the best oil infrequently.

Oil weekly, or especially after rain or a dirty ride and daily when touring.

IMHO the best for chain life is a standard GL5 gear oil because it is thick and has a very strong boundary lubricant additive. It just makes a bit of a mess if you put too much on. Its very easy to put it on with a small brush, a liter if HD90 will last years.

We used to make motorcycle chain oil and chain bar oil, it was basically the same stuff. It was made from all the slops , all we used to add a tack additive.