So I thought it was about time I learned about lubricating the chain on my bike. You know, before it gets utterly rooted instead of afterwards. I had a careful search through all the posts about chain lubes and stuff but have not succeeded in reaching the zen state of clarity I was hoping for.
Things I am still confused about and hoping someone can help with...
O-ring chains and non-O-ring chains, and which kind I probably have. The chain on my girlfriend's Kawasaki GPX says EK520 SRO, whereas the one on the trusty VTR250 is stamped DID 520V. Quick googling suggests these are both O-ring chains, but I'm unwilling to just trust things I read on the Intarweb, I hear they let just about anyone on these days.
(the important bit) what having an O-ring chain means for the lubes and/or solvents I shouldn't use. Carefully cleaning or lubing my chain with something that eats O-rings, frinstance, would suck a big dog's danglies. In the parlance of the times.
So, to summarise
- what's safe to use to lubricate my chain? (also maybe not too messy, mostly stays where I put it, etc.)
- what's safe to use as as degreaser or solvent to get crud off it first? (I read posts about paraffin and stuff, but was worried about the O-ring thing again)
- are there any things I definitely shouldn't use?
cheers for your help/advice and things :)
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