Chain maintenance and lube / cleaner recommendations
Discussion
I'm OTT / OCD with bike cleanliness so I usually clean my chain after every full day out but generally its every few hundred miles.
I normally just use a toothbrush soaked in WD40 and gives it a once over, clean off with a rag then apply dry lube.(werth is a pretty good lube)
Check the chain has around 3/8" of an inch free play and you're good to go
I normally just use a toothbrush soaked in WD40 and gives it a once over, clean off with a rag then apply dry lube.(werth is a pretty good lube)
Check the chain has around 3/8" of an inch free play and you're good to go
As per the first reply I'm a fan of the Wurth lube
https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Product-categories/Chain...
Although I don't go "full toothbrush" 😁. I just spray WD40 onto a rag and wipe the chain with it until it looks clean. I reckon I lube every 1000 miles or so but also always straight after riding in the wet.
https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Product-categories/Chain...
Although I don't go "full toothbrush" 😁. I just spray WD40 onto a rag and wipe the chain with it until it looks clean. I reckon I lube every 1000 miles or so but also always straight after riding in the wet.
I used to lube with Motul but it's very sticky and gets everywhere. Changed to WD40 chain lube and it's a lot cleaner to apply. Lube every 600 miles.
Cleaning, I don't do very often, last time was when I degreased the whole bike in autumn, applying ACF-50. I have some XCP degreaser for it, I've got a long trip planned in the next month so I'll do it before that.
Cleaning, I don't do very often, last time was when I degreased the whole bike in autumn, applying ACF-50. I have some XCP degreaser for it, I've got a long trip planned in the next month so I'll do it before that.
Many ways to skin this cat, but here's what i choose.
One of these, fast and efficient :
Some of this:
Paraffin, is also known as Kerosene is far cheaper than buying specific motorcycle chain cleaning sprays.
Then use your choice of chain lube spray, or gear oil as some do which again is very cheap.
One of these, fast and efficient :
Some of this:
Paraffin, is also known as Kerosene is far cheaper than buying specific motorcycle chain cleaning sprays.
Then use your choice of chain lube spray, or gear oil as some do which again is very cheap.
STe_rsv4 said:
I'm OTT / OCD with bike cleanliness so I usually clean my chain after every full day out but generally its every few hundred miles.
I normally just use a toothbrush soaked in WD40 and gives it a once over, clean off with a rag then apply dry lube.(werth is a pretty good lube)
Check the chain has around 3/8" of an inch free play and you're good to go
I think that you might find that 3/8" freeplay is a bit tight !I normally just use a toothbrush soaked in WD40 and gives it a once over, clean off with a rag then apply dry lube.(werth is a pretty good lube)
Check the chain has around 3/8" of an inch free play and you're good to go
I'm a bit OCD when it comes to chains, so I tend to clean and lube them frequently. Usually ever other ride or so, if I'm caught in some rain I'll usually wash the bike when I get home and clean the chain also.
I use brake/chain cleaner to clean usually with a rag and maybe a brush (if it's extremely dirty). If the bike was washed I tend to use WD40 first to displace any water etc. Wurth chain lube is my go to, been using it for years and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I use brake/chain cleaner to clean usually with a rag and maybe a brush (if it's extremely dirty). If the bike was washed I tend to use WD40 first to displace any water etc. Wurth chain lube is my go to, been using it for years and cannot recommend it highly enough.
trickywoo said:
I’m in the little and often camp too.
I tend to do a light spray with xcp chain lube and wipe off with a rag. You might think that would neither clean or lube but the xcp is really thin and you don’t want lots of it so it works quite well.
Up until recently I used WD40 chain cleaner & WD40 lube. Cleaner was ok, but lube really thick & sticky. I now have a can of XCP lube, but it seems very thin & does fling quite a lot. However, it appears to attract less dirt/dust than the WD40 lube. I tend to do a light spray with xcp chain lube and wipe off with a rag. You might think that would neither clean or lube but the xcp is really thin and you don’t want lots of it so it works quite well.
Someone mentioned using brake cleaner - is it ok with O or Z ring chains? Would carb cleaner work? Just wondering if the various ingredients might damage the chain innards (?)
Wipe with a rag.
Apply synthetic engine oil sparingly.
I used to do this every day after commuting about 50 miles each way.
Chains last a long time, but then v-twins are sometimes said to be much easier on chains than fours or 180 twins etc?
In 20k miles, I changed the chain once, and that was because I wanted to change the sprocket sizes.
I've had mixed results with Sottoilers.
Apply synthetic engine oil sparingly.
I used to do this every day after commuting about 50 miles each way.
Chains last a long time, but then v-twins are sometimes said to be much easier on chains than fours or 180 twins etc?
In 20k miles, I changed the chain once, and that was because I wanted to change the sprocket sizes.
I've had mixed results with Sottoilers.
Get a Scottoiler. Keep an eye on the level in the reservoir, and top up as required.
I (literally) never bother to clean it, but after about 25-30k miles I do replace chain and sprockets although they never look especially worn - no sharksfin teeth etc. I will periodically check tension, but in that 25-30k miles I have to adjust it maybe 3 times.
I really couldn't care less if the back of the numberplate is black, or that there is muck on the swingarm. She's a working girl, not a prom queen, and I focus on the things that matter. Oil/coolant/tyres/brakes/filters/lights/bearings/corrosion etc etc.
I (literally) never bother to clean it, but after about 25-30k miles I do replace chain and sprockets although they never look especially worn - no sharksfin teeth etc. I will periodically check tension, but in that 25-30k miles I have to adjust it maybe 3 times.
I really couldn't care less if the back of the numberplate is black, or that there is muck on the swingarm. She's a working girl, not a prom queen, and I focus on the things that matter. Oil/coolant/tyres/brakes/filters/lights/bearings/corrosion etc etc.
I've currently got one bike with a chain, it does about 2k dry miles a year. The bike shop will clean and lube it when it goes in for a service. I wipe most of that off when I get home so it doesnt end up all over the wheels. That will usually suffice until it gets put away for a few months over winter. I then wipe it down with WD40 chain cleaner and apply fresh lube. I have a can of Motul chain lube which has lasted over 9 years and 17,000 miles later on the original chain and sprockets, no sign of needing changing yet.
When I used to commute by bike all year round I used to clean and lube the chain weekly, to prolong chain life......yet thinking back to the numerous bikes owned, I never owned any long enough to wear out a chain
I have owned a couple of bikes that ive done >35k miles on but they were shaft or belt drive.
When I used to commute by bike all year round I used to clean and lube the chain weekly, to prolong chain life......yet thinking back to the numerous bikes owned, I never owned any long enough to wear out a chain
I have owned a couple of bikes that ive done >35k miles on but they were shaft or belt drive.Biker 1 said:
GreaseNipple said:
I use Toolstation chainsaw oil, applied with a paint brush and give it an occasional scrub with paraffin
I like the sound of that! Does the chainsaw oil last long? Is it viscous enough so it doesn't fling everywhere? I dislike a dirty back wheel.....Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff