The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[Prof Prolapse]

Nah, unless there’s new info out there. I just use parrafin/WD40 to clean, and as above Dry lube for a road bike, (or wax for the ADV bike for off road as it resists water better I believe).

Pretty sure that’s the standard approach.

[Speed addicted]

Prof Prolapse said:

Nah, unless there’s new info out there. I just use parrafin/WD40 to clean, and as above Dry lube for a road bike, (or wax for the ADV bike for off road as it resists water better I believe).

Pretty sure that’s the standard approach.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/advice/bike-maintenance/is-chain-lube-necessary

So the lube shouldn’t get past the seals in the chain, but should lube and protect the outer plates.

[V8RX7]

Pete-mojsh said:

Have I unwittingly started a debate on lube?

Just don't ask which engine size is better FFS !

[Prof Prolapse]

Speed addicted said:

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...

So the lube shouldn’t get past the seals in the chain, but should lube and protect the outer plates.

I love a referenced answer, thank you.

I remain very skeptical that the small amount of grease lasts on the O/X-ring, but I similarly won't start an ill-informed argument against people who certainly should know better.

We all know to clean and maintain are chains, so I guess it doesn't matter either way.

[Speed addicted]

Prof Prolapse said:

I love a referenced answer, thank you.

I remain very skeptical that the small amount of grease lasts on the O/X-ring, but I similarly won't start an ill-informed argument against people who certainly should know better.

We all know to clean and maintain are chains, so I guess it doesn't matter either way.

Yeah, the reasons aren’t that important as long as the chain gets maintained!
I bought a CB1300 from a woman that didn’t think you needed to clean a chain, just add lube. It was a proper mess but the bike was cheap so I bought it anyway.

[V8RX7]

airsafari87 said:

WinstonR said:

For chain lube use gear oil; everything else is just a gimmick.

Not true.

Although I use gear oil myself it would be wrong to say that all these other chain lubes are just a gimmick.

What they are is an alternative.

I like Ryan's articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0

[Pete-mojsh]

Last couple of bits picked up this morning, will pick up a service kit in the next couple of days so I can get that done just in time for the thunderstorms. Bike is getting delivered this afternoon but will need some time for a thorough check over before I take it out.

[anorange]

Sorry to ask a dumb question but I'm going from a full face to a flip. I fancy one of these:

https://sharphelmetchooser.co.uk/helmet/caberg-duk...

Will it be a lot noisier, due to the, er, fact the lid is essentially in two pieces. Any flip up converts?

[Speed addicted]

anorange said:

Sorry to ask a dumb question but I'm going from a full face to a flip. I fancy one of these:

https://sharphelmetchooser.co.uk/helmet/caberg-duk...

Will it be a lot noisier, due to the, er, fact the lid is essentially in two pieces. Any flip up converts?

They have a seal (like the one on the visor) so shouldn’t be otherwise water would get in too.
One of the quietest helmets you can buy is a flip front Schuberth
Noise is usually down to how well the chin/neck seal and venting.

[bogie]

Speed addicted said:

anorange said:

Sorry to ask a dumb question but I'm going from a full face to a flip. I fancy one of these:

https://sharphelmetchooser.co.uk/helmet/caberg-duk...

Will it be a lot noisier, due to the, er, fact the lid is essentially in two pieces. Any flip up converts?

They have a seal (like the one on the visor) so shouldn’t be otherwise water would get in too.
One of the quietest helmets you can buy is a flip front Schuberth
Noise is usually down to how well the chin/neck seal and venting.

Exactly this...been wearing a Shark Evo flip front helmet for nearly 8 years now. The biggest reduction in noise on the later version was the addition of a flip down chin curtain. Other sources of noise are the vents, obviously some vent designs when open generate more noise. You should always wear ear plugs anyway, there isnt a helmet on the market that would meet the safe dB rating when you are cruising at 70mph on the motorway for hours on end.

[wuckfitracing]

anorange said:

Sorry to ask a dumb question but I'm going from a full face to a flip. I fancy one of these:

https://sharphelmetchooser.co.uk/helmet/caberg-duk...

Will it be a lot noisier, due to the, er, fact the lid is essentially in two pieces. Any flip up converts?

I have the same helmet, used it for 2 years now. They are not a lot noisier than a full face , In fact I replaced my Mrs`s old helmet with the very same 2 weeks ago. Highly recommend them and 5 star sharp rated.

[Onelastattempt]

wuckfitracing said:

I have the same helmet, used it for 2 years now. They are not a lot noisier than a full face , In fact I replaced my Mrs`s old helmet with the very same 2 weeks ago. Highly recommend them and 5 star sharp rated.

I am on my second one, first one was a write off due to a stupid woman punting me off as she thought that give way signs did not apply to her.
I don't think it is any noisier than the Shoei XR1000 I had before but I wear earplugs all the time and it did a good job in protecting my head.

[talksthetorque]

I have a Givi flip front and the noise seems to vary depending on how much neck protection I have on. I use the thin material tube Neck thingys and using two does help.
If you intend to ride with the flip up, make sure it is P/J rated (P is full Face certification, J is open face) not just P rated.
Eta just read the link and that one is P/J Rated.

[talksthetorque]

A question continuing on the helmet front if I may.
I don't think you can get the jacket I have in ladies, so I'm safe in that respect. However......

If the missus decides she wants the same helmet as I have ( it's a colour scheme she's likely to choose)

Is his and hers matching helmets a bit......err......how do I put this?

[Speed addicted]

talksthetorque said:

A question continuing on the helmet front if I may.
I don't think you can get the jacket I have in ladies, so I'm safe in that respect. However......

If the missus decides she wants the same helmet as I have ( it's a colour scheme she's likely to choose)

Is his and hers matching helmets a bit......err......how do I put this?

[BobSaunders]

I don't think i have ever given matching helmets a second look - maybe just think you got a good deal when you bought two.

I might double take if it was a matching garish custom touring kit. Even then i don't think i would be that bothered - it's not illegal, so it's not hurting me.

[rexwexford.]

new to bikes. dumb question ...

is it normal to not really be able to see a clear picture in bike mirrors due to vibrations.

Ive bought some new cheapish mirrors and didnt realise they are magnifying. Can see eff all above 65mph. I cant remember what my old mirrors where like but i swear it wasnt this bad

is it a cheap mirrors thing, a magnifying thing, or a motorcycle thing ?

mirrors are on tightly fyi

on a transalp so its a bit vibrate-y at the best of times

[Speed addicted]

rexwexford. said:

new to bikes. dumb question ...

is it normal to not really be able to see a clear picture in bike mirrors due to vibrations.

Ive bought some new cheapish mirrors and didnt realise they are magnifying. Can see eff all above 65mph. I cant remember what my old mirrors where like but i swear it wasnt this bad

is it a cheap mirrors thing, a magnifying thing, or a motorcycle thing ?

mirrors are on tightly fyi

on a transalp so its a bit vibrate-y at the best of times

Yes to an extent, a lot of bike mirrors vibrate at speed/high revs.

Depends on the bike/mirrors though, my Triumph Explorer is very good where my 1050 Tiger was a blurry mess. Fairing mounted ones are usually better than bar mounted, but not all (my Ducati was spectacularly bad) .

You might find heavier bar end weights help for bar mounted mirrors, or possibly opening the mirror case and adding weight in there.
More expensive mirrors tend to be better but it’s not a definite.

[tvrolet]

Depends on the bike - depends on the mirrors. Some bikes are sufficiently smooth that the mirrors are crystal clear at all speeds with nothing fancy in the mirrors or handlebars. Some not quite so smooth and the manufacturers try to get round it by putting some weight/mass in the mirror and/or bar end and/or rubber mounting the bars. Some bikes just vibrate so badly there is no solution. Worst I ever rode was a Harley sportster (in the days before the rubber mounted the motor); if the mirrors turning in to a but wasn't bad enough at anything about 60 the vibration was so bad it was blurring my actual vision - never had that before or since.

So you might find some different mirrors that vibrate less...or you may pay more and end up with the same result. But if there is a 'standard' mirror for the bike I'd get a set of these as often the manufacturers have done clever things with mass and resonant frequencies to try and address the vibes. And if your bike had bar-end weights make sure they're still there.

[Pete-mojsh]

I have an MT125 that I put some cheap bar end mirrors on and they seem to hold up ok, just some Oxford ones for about £25. Is it just a standard 22mm non-threaded handlebar?