chain maint and lubing
Discussion
how often do you guys check and have to adjust the chain, and what and how often to you lube it..
i keep seeing guys talk about worth dry chain lube, but i've no idea what it is and the local bike mart doesnt do it..
In the dim and distant past I have memories, of the old chap putting a big tin of stuff on the cooker at home, melting the contents and then bathing the chain of my TY80 in it and then hanging it up to dry!!!!
i keep seeing guys talk about worth dry chain lube, but i've no idea what it is and the local bike mart doesnt do it..
In the dim and distant past I have memories, of the old chap putting a big tin of stuff on the cooker at home, melting the contents and then bathing the chain of my TY80 in it and then hanging it up to dry!!!!
Before I sold my Gixer I would lube my chain after every ride. I`d finish my ride, lift the arse up on a paddock stand, select 1st gear let it tick over and just lube it very lightly.
I don`t know if that was the right or wrong thing to do, but I got in to the habit of doing it, also I could check the bike over quickly after the ride to see if anything was amiss.
I don`t know if that was the right or wrong thing to do, but I got in to the habit of doing it, also I could check the bike over quickly after the ride to see if anything was amiss.
make sure that you lube the chain on the right side
(no I ain't taking the proverbial)...
the lube wants to be on the inside of the chain- where it makes contact with the sprocket, rather than the outside of the chain where it just will fling off, after doing very little good.
your chain will need adjusting as it stretches with use, this is relatively simple on most bikes- if you have the tools- just be sure not to have the chain overtight or too slack as this will wear the chain and sprockets at a faster rate. (chain tension may be different when you are on or off the bike as the swing arm moves)
if the chain is really slack hen you may hear it rattle when you change down the gears
(no I ain't taking the proverbial)...
the lube wants to be on the inside of the chain- where it makes contact with the sprocket, rather than the outside of the chain where it just will fling off, after doing very little good.
your chain will need adjusting as it stretches with use, this is relatively simple on most bikes- if you have the tools- just be sure not to have the chain overtight or too slack as this will wear the chain and sprockets at a faster rate. (chain tension may be different when you are on or off the bike as the swing arm moves)
if the chain is really slack hen you may hear it rattle when you change down the gears
Edited by Brite spark on Thursday 21st August 20:48
I use Wurth dry chain lube, probably every 200 ish miles. I used scottioliers for years untill I got the Speed Triple and there was no-where to hide one. The also get the back of the bike quite dirty (more so when your disc lock turns it to prime and the left side of the tyre gest covered in oil).
When I wash the bike I use Motul chain cleaner and a chain brush that cleans 3 sides of the chain at once.
I am a bit obsessive though. Two people have asked me if it's a new chain in the last month....
When I wash the bike I use Motul chain cleaner and a chain brush that cleans 3 sides of the chain at once.
I am a bit obsessive though. Two people have asked me if it's a new chain in the last month....
I also use the wurth stuff. I think its great but its all I've ever used though. I tend to oil my chain probably every 200 ish miles and adjust it when I can be bothered.
I've got a paddock stand but its not the bobbin type but the cups which go under the swingarm. Its OK but I need someone to hold the bike while I put it on and also if I leave it on overnight the bike slides along it. Does anyone know if its OK to drill the holes for the bobbins. Most bikes already have the holes and they just need tapping but there's nothing on mine. Would it be OK to drill and tap some holes out as it would make getting it on the stand loads easier.
I've got a paddock stand but its not the bobbin type but the cups which go under the swingarm. Its OK but I need someone to hold the bike while I put it on and also if I leave it on overnight the bike slides along it. Does anyone know if its OK to drill the holes for the bobbins. Most bikes already have the holes and they just need tapping but there's nothing on mine. Would it be OK to drill and tap some holes out as it would make getting it on the stand loads easier.
You want the lube 'in' the chain, not on the chain. You want the lube in the links, rather than a chain that is dipping in chain lube which sand and grit is attracted to, turning into a lovely grinding paste.
I probably do mine every 500 miles or so, a little bit in the links. If it has been wet, then a bit more / more often.
Current chain, X-Link (Tsubaki from memory), about 18k miles, bugger all strech.
I probably do mine every 500 miles or so, a little bit in the links. If it has been wet, then a bit more / more often.
Current chain, X-Link (Tsubaki from memory), about 18k miles, bugger all strech.
The stickier the chain lube the worse it is, it simply attracts all the crud and alters the pitch of the chain, in other words the load will not be distributed over the whole of the roller. An O ring chain has lube built inside of it, thats what the o rings do, they hold the grease INSIDE the chain. Ultimately you oil the chain (o ring) to stop rust. I have sat through a full day chain seminar, TWICE! As i sell the stuff. My pain is your power!
Brummmie said:
The stickier the chain lube the worse it is, it simply attracts all the crud and alters the pitch of the chain, in other words the load will not be distributed over the whole of the roller. An O ring chain has lube built inside of it, thats what the o rings do, they hold the grease INSIDE the chain. Ultimately you oil the chain (o ring) to stop rust. I have sat through a full day chain seminar, TWICE! As i sell the stuff. My pain is your power!
how do i know if i have an 0-ring chain? and whats your recommendation on lube ( for the chain !!!! before anyone gets any ideas!!)Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff