Author Topic: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!  (Read 4456 times)

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Offline jmee54

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Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« on: September 01, 2017, 19:55:13 »
Guzzis have been my thing for years (still have 3) and before that it was Harleys and Buells (nice clean belt). Before that it was chains, but I'm sure I used and abused them.
What is the general consensus regarding looking after one of these evil, dirty and expensive to care for pieces of outdated drivetrain?

Offline Rich:-)

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2017, 20:13:40 »
Well.. your particular piece of outdated drive train is an O-ring sealed chain (or maybe Xring), so doesn't want for nearly as much attention as older standard chains did. It will also last a long time, maybe 20k miles, and won't need a grease repack like a shaft drive will.

There are many views on whether you should clean the chain or not.
Some say don't... I say it depends on what sort of dirt is on it.

I lube with either chain spray (grease) or gearbox oil. I don't use the chain waxes.
I brush the gearbox oil on it, or deliver it via a chain oiler I made.

I clean in several ways, sometimes by brushing on used engine oil then toweling off afterwards, sometimes I spray on WD40 and then towel off. I have used paraffin and even diesel to remove the old used up oil/grease before applying fresh lube.

Do not use water and detergent to clean the chain.
Do not pressure wash the chain.

Rule of thumb is 500 miles between clean and lube, and just lube in between as needed.
Chain oilers are great, especially if you do high mileage or are touring. No need to buy an expensive one, you can make one yourself for very little money that work just as well.

Manual lubing (and cleaning) depends on what conditions you ride in, in time you'll just get the feel for when it wants for something, be it a little oil or maybe a clean.

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2017, 20:43:10 »
Just to add I rarely cleaned (if ever) my OEM chain. Just ran an oiler & brushed on oil every so often. Use the bike more or less 365 days a year and the chain lasted around 25,000 miles. In fact it only got changed as I needed a new front sprocket, so changed the lot.

Offline Moo

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2017, 22:43:04 »
I wouldn't use waxes as they eventually build up and make a mess which id hard to clean off.

I regularly lube mine using a toothbrush/paint brush and use either gearbox oil, or even better chainsaw oil, as this is actually created to be anti-fling and sticky... Its used on whirring chainsaws!

They can both be bought very cheap (cheaper and longer lasting than cans of lube) and the chainsaw oil leaves by chain looking clean, not rusty as its protected in oil and very well lubed!

Offline Ianmc

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2017, 08:53:00 »
Just fit a Loobman chain oiler,cheap as chips,and no electrics or vacuum pipes to give you any grief.
Ian Mc.

Offline Stonec0ld

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2017, 09:57:56 »
Ooh I didn't realise the loobman was so simple and cheap. I assumed it was like the scottoiler I.e. Expensive and fiddly. I might just give one a go.

Offline Moo

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2017, 10:23:25 »
Another to look at is a Tutoro Automatic.

Not connected to anything, uses a small weighted pump which jiggles around when riding along to pump the oil out.

Offline Stonec0ld

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2017, 10:27:52 »
That's still bloody expensive though!

Offline Asmith61

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2017, 15:48:58 »
I have always used chain wax but just had a look on the loobman site and read all about it and iam about to order one  :thumb:

Offline Barbel Mick

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2017, 19:42:00 »
I use a PD oiler (mini) and have had it fitted from 200 miles. Now on 25,000 and my local independent refused to take any money off me for a new chain and sprockets when I took it in last week! He said it'll be fine for another 3/4,000 (but keep an eye on it). Either oiled manually on a regular basis or with an auto system should keep them in a good condition.
Mick

Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.

Offline jmee54

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2017, 20:05:06 »
Like that Lubeman and the price. Do I need to remove the white wax before I use an oil for lubrication. I'm going to order one now, thanks for the heads up!

Online Rusty Nuts

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2017, 20:28:41 »
I would wash it with paraffin if it is gunged up with spray wax.

Offline pr

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2017, 09:25:50 »
If you use a Loobman, doesn't it get very messy with engine oil flinging around?

Offline frez

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2017, 10:18:47 »
Auto chain oilers are only worth the money if you are very adverse to maintenance or do a lot of miles, especially a lot of miles in winter. I ran one on my wee as I was riding over 25k miles a year in all weathers and the PD Oiler was half the price it is today.

I didn't need one on my shaft drive S10, but I'm not fitting one to my KTM 1290 SAS as I am now working locally and whilst I'm riding in all weather I'm now down to 6000 miles a year and 30 minutes spent every 2 or 3 weeks wiping the chain down and spraying with some Motul C3 whilst I top up the tyres and check the chain for wear is perfectly acceptable.
Now on a Super Tenere having put 64k miles on a 2011 DL650

Offline Angustoyou

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Re: Chain maitenance for a chain virgin!
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2017, 18:26:10 »
Having a centre stand makes manual lubing easy, pia without one.