New to chain maintenance...questions

[John Ranalletta]

Ducati recommends kerosene for chain cleaning. A soaked rag seemed to just melt off the old lube. There must be a thousand spray lubes, but a rider on Webbikeworld recommend this lube. Your suggestions welcomed.

 

[ericfoerster]

It is good stuff. I've used it for about 10K on several bikes now. It really helps keep the chain clean as well. Some say the chain will make more noise, I wear plugs so I don't care. Use it when the chain is hot and then let it dry.

I've not made a chain adjustment since I started using it.

 

It smells nice too

[Huzband]

I'd be careful when asking about lubricant around here.

 

Wurty's always watchin".

[David]

Yes, the Teflon stuff is good. Best stuff I've found.

[Matts_12GS]

Where can I get that teflon? I can never seem to find it around here.

Danny, you hoarding all the good lube for your Katoom(s)?

[David]

Ace Hardware carries it.

[John Ranalletta]

...as does Lowes in our market - $4.95/can

[superjohn]

I use Chain Wax on my Monsters chain after using PJ1 Black for a while. I love the Chain Wax for both cleaning and lubing.

[arbee]

What makes non-stick teflon stick to the chain?

[John Ranalletta]

What makes non-stick teflon stick to the chain?

Magic. It's the same stuff used to coat a thermos bottle so it knows to keep milk cold and coffee hot.

[Lone_RT_rider]

What makes non-stick teflon stick to the chain?

Magic. It's the same stuff used to coat a thermos bottle so it knows to keep milk cold and coffee hot.

 

The arch enemy of every engineer.....PFM. LOL.

[Lone_RT_rider]

On more of a serious note.....

 

We have never used Teflon (PTFE) on the SV650 and have been using chain wax to this point. One of the supposed virtues of chain wax is that it sticks to the chain better and doesn't coat the wheels with "stuff".

 

From my past experience with using Teflon to coat threaded parts in manufacturing and assembly operations, I know that the Teflon can flake off the part like the glazing on a Krispy Kreme. Does this happen when you use it on a chain? And if so, does it get all over everything of just fly away in the air like a ton of snow flakes?

 

Shawn

[steve.foote]

John, I've been using Honda Chain Lube (with PFTE) on the KTM with good results. It goes on clear and protects in all environments. So far, I haven't had any noticable chain wear, and it does really well protecting the chain when I'm in water and sand.

 

I've tried lithium based lubes, but those were seriously messy and seemed to fling off early in the ride.

[velomoto]

Some say the chain will make more noise, I wear plugs so I don't care.

My experience has been that "noisy chain" means more wear.

 

I've not made a chain adjustment since I started using it.

This is the important part. Bottom line with chain lube is how long the chain lasts.

 

My experience with the Dupont lube is it's great at keeping the chain clean as it is essentially a dry lube. There is very little (no?) liquid lube residue after the solvent evaporates. Because this lube goes on so thin it wicks nicely into the rollers and between the plates - which is where you really need the lube. What remains on the surface of the chain will flake off quickly leaving nothing to collect dirt.

 

Also note that for road trips this lube can be found in a non-aerosol container which will pack better.

[John Ranalletta]

Thanks for the input.

 

Several riders on Multistrada.net have reported chain failures (siezing, dirt accumulation) during longer trips using wax-type lubes. Hmmmmm.....

 

One recommended this synthetic, non-wax lube:

 

 

[ShovelStrokeEd]

I had been using Chain Wax and didn't like the buildup on my rear wheel and the rest of the area around the chain, in particular behind the countershaft sprocket. Changed to Motul (Street) and, am so far, satisfied. Chain stays clean, no rust evident and very little chain stretch. My bike is pretty tough on chains given that I ride long days, carry a pretty good load (all up weight is probably pretty close to 800 lbs) and encounter frequent rain.

 

One thing I have found over the years of riding, lubricate the snot out of your chain. You almost can't over lube the thing. At the end of every day's ride, I pop the bike up on the center stand, start the motor and put it in gear and give the chain a good 15 second spray. I then use a rag to wipe the excess off the outside plates. Careful here if you, like me, do it with the wheel still spinning, you could easily lose a finger.

 

One modification to this is if I am at home and only using the bike for my 9 mile round trip commute. I then only lube the chain once a week.

[Missouri Bob]

Careful here if you, like me, do it with the wheel still spinning, you could easily lose a finger.

 

Been there, done that. Fortunately, it was "only" an index finger, and not a thumb.

 

Bob

[bross]

I installed a ScottOiler on Jodie's Ninja this spring and only have about 1000kms on it so far but for me I like it. Even though it's her bike, guess who gets to do the chain maintenance.

 

Now all I have to do is keep an eye on her reservoir bottle which looks like it will easily go 2000kms between fills.

 

The chain is way cleaner than when I used BelRay chain wax, no build up, just a nice moist clean chain. I'm getting a bit of fling, just drops on the wheel and chain guard etc. but it also wipes off a lot easier than the chain wax did.

 

I like it, cause it has pretty much made chain lubing a thing of the past, and the chain is always lubed consistently.

 

ScottOiler

[smiller]

Is there any way to tell when you need to reapply the Teflon-based dry lubes or do you guys just reapply at regular intervals? This seems like a great solution if the dry film provides adequate protection... in fact it always seemed to me that in dusty off-road conditions the wet lubes would attract fine dirt and turn into an abrasive compound, perhaps doing more harm than good.

[Big_Gray]

A similar but way cheaper solution than Scott Oiler is a Loobman. I used one for years and all I ever used was ATF for the lubricant. Total cost of lubricant was about $4.00 every two or three years. With the O-ring chains, lubrication isn't nearly as important as keeping them clean. A fairly regular misting with kerosene and brush off the debris with a stiff bristle brush and you're in good shape.