Your Thoughts

[hunkie]

hi dude ,

i recon Royal purple chain lube.. clear and a fully syn chain lube . no flippings drops on ur rims .

 

[kilpatricks]

what about using turpentine for cleaning the chain, I know it works brilliantly!
but never even thought about using kero

 

[Over_Easy]

(bigoltool @ Oct. 30 2006,14:45)

(Busaman86 @ Oct. 30 2006,12:17) I heard that WD-40 damaged the o-rings of the chain... I used it on my bike like you guys said (to clean, ride a bit, then add wax), and didn't notice anything bad....

I posted this on here a long time ago but I can't find it now . Years ago Myself and a few freinds were having this very discussion when My Bro decided to take a few of the brand new o-rings he had sitting around from his RK master link and soak them in WD-40. They soaked for several months and never swelled, rotted, attracted dirt, turned to mung etc. While far from scientific in its execution this exercise told me all I needed to know.

Soaking is much different than the application it's used for on a chain.

 

[Haelo]

WD-40 is good for CLEANING.
Kerosene is the best.

Neither are lubricants.

 

[Over_Easy]

(kilpatricks @ Oct. 31 2006,02:46) what about using turpentine for cleaning the chain, I know it works brilliantly!
but never even thought about using kero

I'm no scientist, but from what I have researched and read, WD-40 is not ideal for cleaning and/or lubing your chain.

I've seen WD-40 test results on ballbearings and they don't turn out well. Also because WD-40 has SOME lubricant in it and it doesn't dry/dissipate like Kerosene does. This will not allow the chain wax/lube to penetrate and/or adhere as well.

I bought a 5 gallon drum of Kerosene from Lowes that will last me a lifetime. For a quick clean, get a Grunge brush and pour a glass jar of Kerosene. Put your bike up on a rear stand, start her up, put it in first w/ your left hand holding the clutch in. Dip the grunge brush into the kerosene and place around the chain...then slowly let out the clutch while the bike is idling and let the chain pass through the brush. Stop, clean/dip brush in kerosene nad hold brush at different angle and repeat. Turn off bike, put in Neutral, use rag to clean chain as you rotate it by hand.

Takes about 5-10 minutes for a quick clean and lube.

My belief is that most people use WD-40 because if it's CONVENIENCE as some have noted. IMO, use Kerosene, Grunge brush, let dry and apply chain wax.

You will have to clean the tail section and a rear wheel/tire a bit after...use WD-40 for this. If you get grease on the body work, use WD-40 to remove wipe with damp rag then quickly apply wax or polish.

 

[Haelo]

(Over_Easy @ Oct. 31 2006,10:52)

(kilpatricks @ Oct. 31 2006,02:46) what about using turpentine for cleaning the chain, I know it works brilliantly!
but never even thought about using kero

I'm no scientist, but from what I have researched and read, WD-40 is not ideal for cleaning and/or lubing your chain.  

I've seen WD-40 test results on ballbearings and they don't turn out well.  Also because WD-40 has SOME lubricant in it and it doesn't dry/dissipate like Kerosene does.  This will not allow the chain wax/lube to penetrate and/or adhere as well.

I bought a 5 gallon drum of Kerosene from Lowes that will last me a lifetime.  For a quick clean, get a Grunge brush and pour a glass jar of Kerosene.  Put your bike up on a rear stand, start her up, put it in first w/ your left hand holding the clutch in.  Dip the grunge brush into the kerosene and place around the chain...then slowly let out the clutch while the bike is idling and let the chain pass through the brush.  Stop, clean/dip brush in kerosene nad hold brush at different angle and repeat.  Turn off bike, put in Neutral, use rag to clean chain as you rotate it by hand.

Takes about 5-10 minutes for a quick clean and lube.

My belief is that most people use WD-40 because if it's CONVENIENCE as some have noted.  IMO, use Kerosene, Grunge brush, let dry and apply chain wax.

You will have to clean the tail section and a rear wheel/tire a bit after...use WD-40 for this.  If you get grease on the body work, use WD-40 to remove wipe with damp rag then quickly apply wax or polish.

Or you could spin the wheel by hand.

I use a towel with a dab of kerosene on it, wrap it around the chain, and spin the wheel by hand.
Then I soak the rag to get the kerosene out so I don't light my apartment on fire again.

 

[Over_Easy]

(Haelo @ Oct. 31 2006,08:07)

(Over_Easy @ Oct. 31 2006,10:52)

(kilpatricks @ Oct. 31 2006,02:46) what about using turpentine for cleaning the chain, I know it works brilliantly!
but never even thought about using kero

I'm no scientist, but from what I have researched and read, WD-40 is not ideal for cleaning and/or lubing your chain.  

I've seen WD-40 test results on ballbearings and they don't turn out well.  Also because WD-40 has SOME lubricant in it and it doesn't dry/dissipate like Kerosene does.  This will not allow the chain wax/lube to penetrate and/or adhere as well.

I bought a 5 gallon drum of Kerosene from Lowes that will last me a lifetime.  For a quick clean, get a Grunge brush and pour a glass jar of Kerosene.  Put your bike up on a rear stand, start her up, put it in first w/ your left hand holding the clutch in.  Dip the grunge brush into the kerosene and place around the chain...then slowly let out the clutch while the bike is idling and let the chain pass through the brush.  Stop, clean/dip brush in kerosene nad hold brush at different angle and repeat.  Turn off bike, put in Neutral, use rag to clean chain as you rotate it by hand.

Takes about 5-10 minutes for a quick clean and lube.

My belief is that most people use WD-40 because if it's CONVENIENCE as some have noted.  IMO, use Kerosene, Grunge brush, let dry and apply chain wax.

You will have to clean the tail section and a rear wheel/tire a bit after...use WD-40 for this.  If you get grease on the body work, use WD-40 to remove wipe with damp rag then quickly apply wax or polish.

Or you could spin the wheel by hand.

I use a towel with a dab of kerosene on it, wrap it around the chain, and spin the wheel by hand.
Then I soak the rag to get the kerosene out so I don't light my apartment on fire again.

I used to spin it by hand too until I smartened up...the chain passes through the brush only about 1,000 times faster than by hand.

Remember it's only in idle, you're not giving it any gas and your hands are in no danger by using the brush.

Do the same for applying the wax/lube as well. This method is good for a quick clean and lube and won't clean your teeth that drive the chain to well. THAT will have to be done by hand while turning by hand a bit at a time.

 

[gtrpimp76]

(kilpatricks @ Oct. 30 2006,18:46) never even thought about using kero

Uhhh??

Check your owner's manual. It's in there and the highly recommended method of cleaning yer chain.

 

[kilpatricks]

hrrrm will have to check that out tomorrow night when I pay for my new Busa

 

[tinbender0]

(Over_Easy @ Oct. 31 2006,08:15)

(Haelo @ Oct. 31 2006,08:07)

(Over_Easy @ Oct. 31 2006,10:52)

(kilpatricks @ Oct. 31 2006,02:46) what about using turpentine for cleaning the chain, I know it works brilliantly!
but never even thought about using kero

I'm no scientist, but from what I have researched and read, WD-40 is not ideal for cleaning and/or lubing your chain.  

I've seen WD-40 test results on ballbearings and they don't turn out well.  Also because WD-40 has SOME lubricant in it and it doesn't dry/dissipate like Kerosene does.  This will not allow the chain wax/lube to penetrate and/or adhere as well.

I bought a 5 gallon drum of Kerosene from Lowes that will last me a lifetime.  For a quick clean, get a Grunge brush and pour a glass jar of Kerosene.  Put your bike up on a rear stand, start her up, put it in first w/ your left hand holding the clutch in.  Dip the grunge brush into the kerosene and place around the chain...then slowly let out the clutch while the bike is idling and let the chain pass through the brush.  Stop, clean/dip brush in kerosene nad hold brush at different angle and repeat.  Turn off bike, put in Neutral, use rag to clean chain as you rotate it by hand.

Takes about 5-10 minutes for a quick clean and lube.

My belief is that most people use WD-40 because if it's CONVENIENCE as some have noted.  IMO, use Kerosene, Grunge brush, let dry and apply chain wax.

You will have to clean the tail section and a rear wheel/tire a bit after...use WD-40 for this.  If you get grease on the body work, use WD-40 to remove wipe with damp rag then quickly apply wax or polish.

Or you could spin the wheel by hand.

I use a towel with a dab of kerosene on it, wrap it around the chain, and spin the wheel by hand.
Then I soak the rag to get the kerosene out so I don't light my apartment on fire again.

I used to spin it by hand too until I smartened up...the chain passes through the brush only about 1,000 times faster than by hand.  

Remember it's only in idle, you're not giving it any gas and your hands are in no danger by using the brush.

Do the same for applying the wax/lube as well.  This method is good for a quick clean and lube and won't clean your teeth that drive the chain to well.  THAT will have to be done by hand while  turning by hand a bit at a time.

Huh it would probably suck if it pulled your brush into somewhere it's not supposed to be , and jerked the bike off the rear stand, not to mention the possibilities for personal injuries!!!Ouch....dude don't be lazy!! be safe big guy!!!

 

[tourbus]

the bottom line with wd-40 is that it contains a small amount of solevent that is destructive to o-rings, if you clean & wipe wd off there will be no problems, but kerosene is a good safe bet that is recomended by chain mfg's and cycle mfg's. i guess in the end thats who im going to listen to.

 

[NCBusa2001]

I hate to be the one to point out the obvious.....but.....

Aren't "o ring" and "X link" chains self lubricating?

So all that is required is basically regular cleaning, right.

Now, I do use wax for standard chains on my dirt bikes and ATV's. Wax is pointless on self lubing chains. I believe that treatments will collect more grime, which WILL destroy those precious o-rings.

IMHO,
CHris