Motor oil or chain lube?

[F5 Dave]

Perhaps its a hangover from the introduction of o-ring chains that some older chain lubes may have contained solvents that could harm the o-rings. This won't have been the case since the 90s every chain lube will have o-ring safe formula.

Some chain lubes stick better than others, some are messy. But most people put it on before riding (me included) because they are too stupid to remember to put it on after the ride which is the correct way as long as you do it regularly. One day I'll make a big sign in the garage telling me to lube the chain when I get home.

[xwhatsit]

i use motul aerosol lube and that stuff is great buy mine from motomail it's around $22 a can and last approx six months i use it every 500-1000k's and things seem to be moving freely

Same here, except it's flaming sticky shit. Don't get it on your fingers lol.

Also, being so sticky, it tends to pick up a fair bit of road crap. For this reason I clean the chain with WD40 and toothbrush every 500kms.

It also makes an ugly mess on your rear tyre if you don't wipe the excess off.

[Coldrider]

The worst stuff I ever bought was Rocol chain lube, comes out like foam, made a mess as far as it could throw, and kero wouldn't move it, had to use petrol to clean it up.
Will put a scottoiler on my next MB, will see how far a chain can really go.

[bimotabob]

Hi

I have tried many many brands of chain goop and only one was any good.
By good I mean wont fling off - they all say that on the can but it's rubbish.

Silkolene chain gel $20 (goes on white and is easy to tell when you need more)

Note they have 3 types at least - havent tried the fully syn version $45!!!

If you guys havent tried it - you wont be displeased it's magic.

Engine oil or grease on chains??? - them be powerful drugs you be on!

I also had a good run with a scott oiler on my last 2 stroke bike, just the fitting and setting up that was taxing.

Regards

[xwhatsit]

Hi

I have tried many many brands of chain goop and only one was any good.
By good I mean wont fling off - they all say that on the can but it's rubbish.

Silkolene chain gel $20 (goes on white and is easy to tell when you need more)

Note they have 3 types at least - havent tried the fully syn version $45!!!

If you guys havent tried it - you wont be displeased it's magic.

Engine oil or grease on chains??? - them be powerful drugs you be on!

I also had a good run with a scott oiler on my last 2 stroke bike, just the fitting and setting up that was taxing.

Regards

I, too, have heard great things about the Silkolene gel, but when I was in Motomail a KB member steered me onto the Motul. Next time around I'll get the Silkolene, I like the idea of being able to see the goop visually so I know how much I'm putting on.

Engine oil... well that's an old one. Boil the chain in used engine oil, gets in-between the bearing surfaces while it's hot. Wouldn't just pour it on, though.

I did hear about another guy who runs non-O-ring chains on his race bike (don't want the extra friction of an O-ring chain). He heats them up on a hotplate, then dunks them in engine oil and leaves them to soak for a period of days. Then the night before the race event, he hangs each chain up on a nail on the garage wall to let the excess drip off.

[Pancakes]

I know a mechanic who has a tin of stuff, it's not think oil, more like the the thickness of parrafin. You put the chain in the tin in the oven (not boiling, just hot) for a while, gets in behind the seals etc.

[slowpoke]

With the introduction of O ring chains I can't see the point of lubing the chain while it's hot. Surely this a carry over from the pre-o ring days when the only lube getting into the pins/rollers was from an external source? Nowdays with the lube sealed into the pins/rollers by the O rings I reckon we are effectively only lubing the contact area with the sprocket. Just spray on whatever non-fling lube you've invested in wait a couple of minutes for it to go tacky and ride off into the sunset.

[bimotabob]

With the introduction of O ring chains I can't see the point of lubing the chain while it's hot. Surely this a carry over from the pre-o ring days when the only lube getting into the pins/rollers was from an external source? Nowdays with the lube sealed into the pins/rollers by the O rings I reckon we are effectively only lubing the contact area with the sprocket. Just spray on whatever non-fling lube you've invested in wait a couple of minutes for it to go tacky and ride off into the sunset.

I don't think this is the case here at all.

The orings stop the lubricant getting out between the outside of the inner plate and the inside of the outer side plate.
The inside edge of the inner plate is not sealed where the roller touches it.
The roller can spin freely on the bushing and has side play.
Lubricant can easily get in here and run along the bushing - so can moisture etc.

Adding aerosol spray lube when the chain is hot surely must give better penetration also it can allow the product to harden before your next ride resisting fling off more desirably.

When I have examined wear on my previous used worn chains I notice the pins themselves seem to be very visibly affected - "chain stretch" as its often called refers mostly to the longer length of the chain not the actual wear process.
I agree with all who support the old school method of chain soaking as it gets right through the chain.
With modern oring chains and rivet links so common now you don't hear much about it.
I used a product in a round tin you used to get that sat on your element till it melted then your dipped your chain in - it was magic stuff.

Regards

[Coldrider]

Interesting web page on chains, there is a sales pitch but you can out what you believe.http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_a...cle_chains.htm

[robertydog]

I use Belray chain lube. Spray it on and leave it for an hour and it wont fling off. Good stuff.

[Coldrider]

Belray is good, and its'white so you can tell when the chain needs a good clean.

[Steve 555]

Ok hows this today I scrubbed my chain down with soapy water (Mothers) gave it a good overall clean. Dried it off made sure all the crap was of it. Then used CRC chain lube sprayed it on the chain then rotated the wheel to work in the lube. Is this ok>>>

[Coldrider]

Hi Steve 555 I haven't seen CRC chain lube but any lube is better than none.
Once i cleaned my bike down after a brass monkey, left the bike dry, and never lubed the chain. I didn't use the MB for a considerable period of time, at which a couple of pins rusted, they swell and cause tight spots, effectively ruining the chain.

[Pancakes]

I was about to mention that ColdRider, I have had and seem bazillions of bicycles in my (not that long) time and always lube after a ride then wipe off any excess. You are making sure the chain is being stored ready for next time. Give your chain a clean and leave it for a few days, rust will get going in no time!

[scracha]

I've never used chain oil myself, the motorcycle dealer I purchased my bike from uses chain oil and it's always flung onto the side of my rear tyre. I use blue mobil grease (texture is like spreadable margarine), is this ok?

Grease doesn't tend to penetrate into the bits that need lubricated properly and also tends to pickup salt, grit and other $hit and form a nice grinding paste. Chain lube is has anti fling gubbins into it so it's probably best....the white silkolene stuff is good. Oh, and it's best to lubricate your chain just after a ride.