The waxy lubes seem like they'd work well too, but I haven't tried them long term. It doesn't attract much dirt, covers well and thick, and stays in place. Seems like it would protect the links from rusting quite well, and protect the o-rings too.

Anything that protects the o-rings should work, anything that doesn't should be avoided, its all about the o-rings (sealing in the lube). Its like a car CV joint, once that rubber boot cracks open, the lube slings out, and the joint fails. Keep that boot from busting open and the joint lasts a very long time.

o-rings can be damaged by:

- drying out, cracking
- rusted links chewing them up
- dirt/grit chewing them up

IMHO stay away from tacky chain 'lubes', if you use gear oil clean your chain often, whatever you use make sure the above 3 are addressed.

 

if i remember correctly, from my motocross days, i think i read something in a dirt rider or motocross action that said " tacky (waxy) lubes are best suited for off road use". which i would guess they mean a non o-ring chain. but who knows.... i've been out of the loop for awhile...

 

GreyBeard, seems like you might be older than dirt , which means lots of experience, so my mind is open.

I've heard WD40 is a solvent & can dissolve the grease in your o-rings, but when you say 30,000 miles on a chain, then you have my attention.

How often do you lube it? Do you just spray it on? Where do you direct the spray? Do you ever clean your chain? How often to you like to adjust your chain?

I got fed up with the tacky/messy spray lubes & this year started using 90wt. gear oil. I just put on a surgical glove & put a some gear oil on a rag & just rotate the wheel, coating the rollers & side plates w/ a light amt. of oil. I don't put so much on there that it is dripping off. I do this every week or 2, usually right after returning from a ride. It only takes 2 minutes & I don't have to worry about cleaning a bunch of gummy crap off my chain, kickstand, chainguard, etc.

I'm going to see how this works as far as chain longevity. If I'm not happy I'll try the WD40 or that Honda HP spray lube that the other guy was talking about.

Steve

 

Two rides

33K on a CBF original Chain
20k on VTR Original chain and still going

One Word

WD40




Nothing else in my garage, forget all that expensive chain lube crap.

All an o-ring chain needs is the outside coated to keep the noise down and the rust away. The lubrication is inside the chain.

 

WD 40, Water Displacement, 40th (and successful) attempt at formula, is basically Kerosine. It was developed to displace water from whatever its sprayed on, and to be viscous enough to stay put and continue to prevent water from penetrating. While its a solvent, its not a very volatile one (it doesn't evaporate very quickly). It is petroleum based.

So long as your o-rings are still in good shape when you start using it, it isn't going to get past them and start eating away the lube inside your chain.

 

Steve,
I spray my chain every couple of hundred miles, cleaning the chain isn't really necessary. I read about using WD40 in a motorcycle magazine about 10 years ago and I've used nothing but since. Just look at the mileage Thumper has on his chains. Both your chain and sprocket are much cleaner as well. I can't remember the last time I adjusted my chain. If you start using it you will never buy another can of chain lube again. BTW, I'm not that old, 47 , but I have aquired a grey beard these last few years. James

 

i hate white trash remedys.. but i like wd-40... i might have to give this a shot.

 

Thank you Oppenheimer,
Many people don't realize an O-ring chain has internal lubrication; you don't need to spend more than a couple of dollars to maintain your chain properly. I've found adjustments to be few and far between as well.

 

You guys make chain lube sound like its spot traded. It costs only a few bucks and lasts forever.

 

Lol jschmidt,
Just a discussion, but it is cheaper than lubes and works great.

 

Yea, I admit that I haven't had to buy chain lube in a long time. Maybe the market has changed. j/k

 

My buddy tried using WD40 but found his chain would get too hot and start making noise. He worried that he was boiling the lubricant out of the o-rings.

 

wd-40 has a chemical that is damaging to the non-metalic parts on a chain. its not the fix all miracle spray that people think. don't use it for just anything. your buddy might have damaged the bushings thereby causing the extra heat. too much metal-metal friction. in my experience, get the sloppiest, gewiest thickest CHAIN-LUBE you can find and slop it on. move the bike around, then leave it for a while. then, before you ride, wipe off your chain with a rag.

 

You need to keep the 'O' rings wet with lube between the 'O' ring and the plates or the 'O' ring wears out and the internal grease dries out.
anything you put on to do that is good,
anything you put on a chain dosen't last long, it flings off or dries out, whether it's heavy or light viscosity.
If you shoot your chain with WD-40 it will instantly wet and lube between the 'O' rings and plates.
Wipe off the excess and your good for 200 miles
Reapply every 200 miles or whenever the 'O' rings look dry and you chain will last as long as anything short of running it in a bath of oil.
cut yourself a prop stick to put under the right side swingarm under the axle and shooting your chain and wiping will take about one minute every 200 miles.
I went from av of 10.K from a chain to 18.K on the last chain when I used nothing but WD-40.
I was worried that the WD-40 would penetrate the 'O' rings and dilute the factory grease, that wasn't a problem because the WD-40 (used from the begining) kept the 'O' rings clean and sealing the grease in, and everything else out.

Here's some pictures from before I switched to WD-40. Chain injecting,and including a chain autopsy
cause of death = dry links but before that, dry 'O' rings that wore out and failed to seal the grease in.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?J2B61217B

~Jeffers

 

I've tried the expensive no fly off chain lube and found it attracts dirt and debris with the quickness. I prefer synthetic 90wt gear oil. its cheap and works well, not to mention the shop manual reccomends gear oil. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. as long as you lube and clean it on a regular basis, your good. my 2 cents

 

I clean my chain with Motul chain cleaner then lube it with some blue PJ1.