Chain Lube

[Merch]

For those running chains what's your preferred product, lube or wax? The newer O and X rings changes are nice but still require attention.

[Excalibur]

Motul Chain Lube, "road" version.

[lilchief]

I just cleaned mine on my Fatboy when I put new tires on. I use Bel-Ray clear, non flinging chain lube

[calif phil]

Bel Ray Super clean.

[kd]

Bel Ray Super clean.

    X2

[Arseclown]

I recently got my first chain drive bike, a 1986 fxr.

Among those chain lube products suggested above, is there any particular advice to make chain lubrication an easy and mess-free exercise?

Also curious how often I should be lubricating the chain.

Thanks in advance. Coming from belt and shaft drive bikes, I've never had to think about this before

[lilchief]

I stand corrected,  I use the same stuff Phil mentioned. 
When I just did mine, I had the small scissor lift under the bike with the back wheel up off the table lift surface. Put it in neutral and carefully sprayed the chain while spinning the back wheel.

[kd]

I stand corrected,  I use the same stuff Phil mentioned. 
When I just did mine, I had the small scissor lift under the bike with the back wheel up off the table lift surface. Put it in neutral and carefully sprayed the chain while spinning the back wheel.

I do a similar thing except I cut the side out of a cardboard box and stand the big side up between the wheel and the sprocket leaving the top flap on the ground to support it and catch the fluids I will be spraying.  I lay paper towels along this flap and that helps soak up the spray, keep the work area clean and reduces the cleanup. I notch the upright portion of the cardboard at the back to fit under and up the the hub on the back side to protect the wheel and tire from over spray and extend the front up behind the primary towards the trans sprocket.  I start at the master link (with it on the bottom run) and spray it good with cleaner and brush out the grit with an old toothbrush while rotating the wheel (counter clockwise) exposing about 10" of chain at a time.  As the rear sprocket gets exposed I clean the old tar paste from the previous lube so the it gets a fresh start too. I blow the cleaner out before each rotation (sometimes with a computer air cleaner bomb if no shop air is available).  When the master link shows back up and I am satisfied it's clean enough I apply the chain lube in the fashion recommended by the manufacturer.  I have used a wax after finish spray if I am going to be travelling and want a little extra sealing protection from the elements.

I find the cardboard shield saves a lot of cleanup from over spray on the wheel and tire.  That saves time and makes me feel safer that i won't contaminate the sidewall and lose traction cornering.  This has worked well for me.

[Hossamania]

Is it better to service the chain after it has been warmed up from a ride, or does it not really matter?

[Merch]

I find it best to ride with buddies that have chains as well on a road trip. A quick wipe and spray when stopping for the night is easy with two people. One on chain duty, one rolling bike ahead. Then a good clean at home.

[kd]

Is it better to service the chain after it has been warmed up from a ride, or does it not really matter?

The modern spray chain lube I have used is loaded with a propellant so it comes out thin and penetrates well.  The propellant quickly evaporates and the lube sets up to a wax like film.  My chain feels like candle wax when I check it.  It certainly is nothing like the old drip chain oilers that threw oil on the ride and a chain guard was a must. I have soaked chains in boiling grease in the old days but even then when the chain got hot (and they do) it converted to oil and was thrown off.  The modern chain lube is designed to not fling off and when the rollers warm up the lube in contact thins and lubricates the friction areas. The cooler outer lube stays waxy and seals it in.  Of course, as the chain wears and opens up that changes.  My o-ring chain has a couple thousand miles on it since the last lube and it looks and feels like the day after I sprayed it. The sprocket has a minor footprint on it after a couple hundred miles but I clean that off and it doesn't return in any noticeable way.

[Arseclown]

Thanks all and particularly appreciate KD's input.

How often should chain be cleaned and lubed?

[calif phil]

Should be lubed every 1000 miles, if you ride in the rain then it will need it again. 

[kd]

I think the reality is that there is little value in lubricating an o-ring chain (that's in good condition) because the o-rings prevent the lube from getting to the core of the rollers.  Now cleaning it is another story.  Grit kills chains and sprockets quicker.  I am a bit OCD at times so if I clean it I will lube it too.  The lube I use leaves a protective waxy coating that prevents rust and provides a barrier to dirt inclusion that will accelerate wear.  My top quality 3 year old O-ring chain is still like new and believe me, it has had a real workout.

[Finn]

Many, many years ago I was very eager to use (and happy to do so) wax type of chain lube but have moved back to more traditional lubes. IIRC I use Motul on my -84 Suzuki.

[Excalibur]

O-ring chains. I thought the theory is the outer rollers need lube because they are not sealed? Additionally they rub the sprockets.... 

[Norton Commando]

I'm with KD on this topic; no chain lube for me.  However, I'll clean the chain periodically with WD-40.

Jason

[No Cents]

Klotz KLR is what I use.
No fling and works great!

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[panhead_dan]

I use an old school Diamond chain that is automatically lubed whenever the engine is running. It lasts an incredible amount of time because it is always lubed and never late on lube intervals.
I re routed the crankcase vent to the chain. I did this a very long time ago. Highly recommended!

[motorhogman]

I use an old school Diamond chain that is automatically lubed whenever the engine is running. It lasts an incredible amount of time because it is always lubed and never late on lube intervals.
I re routed the crankcase vent to the chain. I did this a very long time ago. Highly recommended!

I used to lube my shovelhead chains that way.. Took my sister on a ride one day.. She had a white jacket on.. oooops.. lol

[panhead_dan]

My rule is to wear old clothes while riding a 72 year old bike. A good chain guard helps too but that bike is a little messy no matter what.

[kd]

I use an old school Diamond chain that is automatically lubed whenever the engine is running. It lasts an incredible amount of time because it is always lubed and never late on lube intervals.
I re routed the crankcase vent to the chain. I did this a very long time ago. Highly recommended!

I used to lube my shovelhead chains that way.. Took my sister on a ride one day.. She had a white jacket on.. oooops.. lol

I used to do the same.   Unfortunately it didn't do a damn bit of good in preventing chain stretch.      The 10.000# o-ring chain solved that problem.   

[calif phil]

Remember the early 80's FL's with the enclosed rear chain? 

[lilchief]

Remember the early 80's FL's with the enclosed rear chain? 

My first bike, a 1983 FXRT, had the enclosed chain.

[panhead_dan]

In theory, an enclosed chain should last forever. Kinda like a cam chain or chains in a transmission. They last a very long time. If an enclosed chain on a motorcycle was designed to somehow be closer to perfect, it would be the best final drive solution possible. The fact is, it aint perfect.