Quote:
Originally Posted by highpsiguy
WD40------- can of worms offically opened---------
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Okay, I'll bite. WD-40, while not ideal, makes a fine chain
cleaner, but that is all. See discussion in
this thread that talks about some studies on the lack of effect of WD40 on your o-rings on short term exposure, but moderate effect on your o-rings on long term exposure.
Because it has been shown to hurt o-rings on long term exposure, and because WD40 itself just isn't meant as anything other than a very light lubricant, you are better off going with one of the other products discussed in this thread. WD40 consists of 50% Stoddard Solvent (which is just desulferized kerosine with a lower flash point), 25% propellant, 15+% Mineral oil (light lubricating oil), and 10-% Inert ingredients. The solvent will act as a very good cleaner, which will leave your chain free of oils, but it is a terrible lubricant largely for the same reason. It is going to take stuff OFF your chain, and for a lube you want to put stuff ON your chain. And it will fling off your chain and not continue to protect it - and to the extent it does stay on long term, its solvent is slowly eating away at your o-rings while it is there.
Apart from the solvent issues, you are essentially just using a bit of mineral oil mix as your lube if you use WD40. And a little bit of mineral oil it just doesn't have the load bearing chemical properties to do the job needed - not enough lube for loads you put on a motorcycle chain. And if me saying so doesn't convince you, here is Motorcyclist magazine's take: "Whether it's WD-40 or LPS3, a motorcycle chain has such demands on it, and one of them is absorbing shock, whether it's between the sprockets and the chain, or whether it's between the internal parts of the chain. And WD-40 doesn't have that, it's not designed for that purpose, it's not formulated for that."