Chain Lube!

[Obey Reaper]

I didn't see any recent threads on the topic so I thought I would bring it up for discussion.

I want to know what different types/brands of chain lube ya'll are using, pros and cons, how often using, applying tips/techniques, all that good stuff!

I've had my Ninja for just over 6 weeks now and I've had to lube her chain like 3 or 4 times already. I went for the first 2 or 3 weeks without applying any, and then after that up to once a week when I wash it.

It's not the end of the world that I have to re-lubricate my chain every week. But I can't help but wonder if there's a chain lube out there that will last longer without any extra mess or sling-off.

I'm currently using Dupont Motorcycle Chain Degreaser (Cleaner) & Dupont Teflon Chain Saver (Lubricant)




A lot of people spoke highly of this stuff so I went and got some.

My process...

(Can says "NO Water Rinsing Required"... That's horse **** haha, they only say that because they want you to use the entire can rinsing off excess grease so you have to go out and buy more of it!)

1. Coat the chain in degreaser, thoroughly scrub chain on all sides, Rinse
2. Repeat step 1 to clear any remaining grease off chain
3. Dry with a paper towel and allow 10-15 minutes for extra moisture to dry.
(At this point I can literally wipe my finger on the chain and have a clean finger, no black)
4. Apply a thorough coat of lubricate while advancing the chain for anywhere from 10-20 seconds.
5. Allow at least a half hour to lubricant to settle/stick to chain

Works pretty good, takes me about an hour including drying times.

Lubricant sticks to chain great for 3-5 days with no dirt or gritty **** sticking.

Then after a couple more days it's getting to be dry to the touch and it no longer feels lubricated. So I wash the whole bike and repeat the process over again. Making sure I detail my rims AFTER I apply chain lube



Just wondering...am I doing everything right or could I do something differently to further increase healthy chain life?

I wouldn't mind trying a different kind of lube but I don't want anything messy.

Any tips or advice greatly appreciated!

And sorry for posting boring stuffs. I'll get around to taking some cool pictures of my bike and **** soon!

Ride on!

[Ralgha]

I use Original Bike Spirits Chain Lube and it seems to work just fine. There's no fling off, and I put more on every 300-500 miles. It got great reviews, such as at Web Bike World, so it's what I went with.

[Finesse]

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/MO...OAD-CHAIN-LUBE

I use this, along with the same brand of off-road chain cleaner. I always cleaned my chain before lubing it and I'd say I did it about every 500-700 miles.

I just use WD40 or ^that Motul chain cleaner and scrub it a bit with a rag, then immediately apply chain lube and that's really about it... It takes me like 7 minutes... My chain has always been fine. What kind of chain do you have? I'd recommend DID X-ring.

[Obey Reaper]

500 mile chain lube sounds like a dream to me haha.

I haven't changed out my stock chain yet so it's whatever comes on a 2012 Ninja 250R from the factory.

[momoru]

I'm fairly new to the whole chain lubing thing myself, but it seems like you may be lubing too often. My understanding (and I could be wrong) is you are lubing the o-rings between the chain links, not the chain itself, so just because the chain feels dry doesn't mean it needs lube? Correct me if I'm wrong, right now I just do it every 500 miles.

[alex.s]

i don't think there is such a thing as lubing too often

[fleemos]

I tried a few different ones and settled on Maxima chain wax. It resists rust much better than the others I have used and doesn't fling.

[menikmati]

I had a habit of just lubing the chain every weekend as I usually rode around 200 miles per week, only takes a couple of minutes.

[salcuta88]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i don't think there is such a thing as lubing too often

A guy that fixes motorcycles said that if you put too much cleaner or wax, the chain will last shorter due to o-rings being overly sprayed. I'm no expert but that guy was.

[alex.s]

overly sprayed?

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by salcuta88

A guy that fixes motorcycles said that if you put too much cleaner or wax, the chain will last shorter due to o-rings being overly sprayed. I'm no expert but that guy was.

[NevadaWolf]

I had my shop tell me I was applying too much as well, since all the gunk had built up behind the front sprocket cover. I was lubing the chain with Maxima Chain Wax about every 300-400 miles.

Found a better solution for my type of riding... Scottoiler

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I had my shop tell me I was applying too much as well, since all the gunk had built up behind the front sprocket cover. I was lubing the chain with Maxima Chain Wax about every 300-400 miles.

Found a better solution for my type of riding... Scottoiler

Love that thing....refill at 1,000 miles and check the chain. Neede to adjust my chain after about 6,000 miles, and it was on the high side of adjustment, not NEEDED.

But for my 250 i just use the bel ray since its white and i can see where i have applied it.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by fleemos

Maxima chain wax.

Stuff just works, a single application lasts as it should. Doesn't fling off so bad even if you over do it a bit.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I had my shop tell me I was applying too much as well, since all the gunk had built up behind the front sprocket cover. I was lubing the chain with Maxima Chain Wax about every 300-400 miles.

Found a better solution for my type of riding... Scottoiler

Yep, had one on the 250, the chain stayed in adjustment longer than the tyres lasted

Just got one for the 675 today, trying to figure out where to fit it, it's pretty much horizontal if I put it on the subframe, I can get a bit of an angle on it if I attach it to the upper spar of the swingarm

[JohnnyBravo]

ever see my chain???

[M42]

I use kerosene for cleaning. I used to use belray chain wax, but it gunked up everywhere (like all over the inner sideplates) and blahhh. Now I just apply a thin coat of gear oil while the chain is warm, and wipe off the excess. Seems to work well.

Originally Posted by salcuta88

A guy that fixes motorcycles said that if you put too much cleaner or wax, the chain will last shorter due to o-rings being overly sprayed. I'm no expert but that guy was.

I could sort of understand this if the guy meant that putting too much lube on and not wiping off excess would attract dirt and grit and wreck the rings, but...

Though I'd imagine there's a point where near-constant lubing is unnecessary and won't lengthen the life of your chain any meaningful amount, like once every 200 miles would be a waste of effort. I do mine like every 500 miles. A little less if it's been rainy.

[LoneRonin]

Motul. They make some of the best products in the market.

[N-m]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I had my shop tell me I was applying too much as well, since all the gunk had built up behind the front sprocket cover. I was lubing the chain with Maxima Chain Wax about every 300-400 miles.

Found a better solution for my type of riding... Scottoiler

We need pics of this installed.

[BoBO]

You can get this Maxima chain wax care kit like me and be done with it. Works great.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...n-wax-care-kit

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by N-m

We need pics of this installed.

Got some during the install: https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=165071