Chain Lube

[Troll]

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0506_motorcycle_chain_lube/
O ring chains or x ring or what ever, keep the chain lube within their respective assemblies, and seal dirt out. There are two reasons you lube a chain, one is to get lube into the rollers (taken care of by the o rings) and the other is to lubricate the sprocket to chain roller contact point! If you don't lube at all, the sprockets will wear pretty quickly, compared to the chain (stretch) but the outside surfaces of the rollers will gall and eventually crack. The term stretch refers to the lengthening of the chain as the pins, bushings and internal roller parts wear oval... the chain doesn't really stretch. Sprockets will wear, teeth break off, and in extreme cases, the saw blade effect shows up as they "hook". NO this is not a picture of anything I own, just googled it and there they were. It's all up to you, of course. Motorcycle chain maintenance is a job nobody likes, but it's a necessary evil.

[greenbarn]

Fellow Drifters, if you run an o-ring or x-ring chain you don't need to lub the chain, just keep it cleaned.

Well, there is an excellent topic for debate.  My buddy says the same thing, and never lubes his chain.  Says buddy:  "O-rings keep the lube in and it NEVER needs lubed.  Lube just makes a mess".

However I just ordered a chain and sprocket kit from Scootworks, it came with an X-ring chain.  I made it a point to ask the sales guy on the phone if the chain needed lube or not.  He says it does.  See, there is some lube inside the o-rings, but no lube between the sprocket and chain, unless you apply it.

SO who is right??   I've been wanting to ask this question anyway - I've heard both sides of the argument, and both make some sense.  To be honest, I would LOVE to not have to lube my new chain and mess up my whitewalls, but I want that chain to last 20,000 miles or so...

[hoosierfish]

Fellow Drifters, if you run an o-ring or x-ring chain you don't need to lub the chain, just keep it cleaned.

[chief]

Yeah, I think once you click on our link it embeds our number in the url, and keeps up with it while you are in that session. Thanks for going through the link!

[greenbarn]

I ordered a couple cans through the link.  I was just wondering how the link works though - i.e. I went through the link and it went to an Amazon.com page where it listed the lube for somewhere around $20/can.  But there were several other listings (just below the $20 one) for a few bucks less.  If I would have chosen one of the secondary listiings, does this site still get credit?  Or do you have to buy the main listing that it lists???

Just wondering...

[chief]

No problem with posting alternate sources.

[bpurvis68]

Gotcha, not a problem.  I edited my post to take out that other site. 

[chief]

I'm asking folks to buy it through the link provided (our blog). We get a few cents for the referral... which helps pay for the VDR stuff.

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/blog/?p=798

[bpurvis68]

Great!! Thanks Chief.  I really like the fact that it dries white in a matter of seconds so you can see exactly where you have missed with the product.  One thing I forgot to add is to make sure you shake it for a good minute or so before use to mix it well.

Best,

BP

[chief]

Info and purchase here...

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/blog/?p=798

[49Reo]

Great! Thanks for thee update. This product should be in the Mods/Tips section, or some such so others could go in and find the name for the product as well. This is good info for all bikes with chain finals.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[bpurvis68]

Ok, the results are in.  This stuff is great!!  Goes on very easy (comes with the little straw) and has virtually no spatter.  It turns white within seconds so you can see exactly where you've already sprayed and it a breeze to clean off should you happen to get some on something you didn't intend to.  The best part? Absolutely zero fling, not one bit the next day when I went for a ride.  So, shake the can for about a minute, apply to your chain while the chain is warm and you're done.  Easy to put on, works great and no mess on your bike after you put it on and go for a ride.

(No, I do not work for the company nor do I own any stock in it)    

[49Reo]

Perfect!!

Regards and such,
49Reo

[bpurvis68]

Thanks bud,

I ordered it yesterday so as soon as it comes in I'll give it a go and post feedback here.

BP

[49Reo]

Looks like a good product. Back in the day, when I had a Harley with a chain drive, (yeah, yeah, I know, dating myself, oh well) I used a chain lube designed for Moto-Cross bike applications; I would lift my bike, spray the chain, putting on a heavy coat, then next morning wipe off any excess. It worked very well on the o-ring chain and would last a couple of weeks to a month depending on mileage. If memory serves me correctly, it was a Castrol product that I used. Of course, as time marches on, I no longer need a chain lube, nor have I for many years. It would be interesting to get feedback from you if you use it and others to see how you like it; I am toying with the idea of building a Drifter trike based on an 800, which obviously would need a good quality chain lube. If you use it let us know how it works; it could always be added to the mods/tips section if it is a good product, although that is not my say-so; that nod goes to others.

Let us know how it works out at any rate;

Regards and such,
49Reo

[bpurvis68]

Hey guys,

Ordered this today: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/72/5768/ITEM/Bel-Ray-Super-Clean-Chain-Lube.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

Thoughts? anyone use this stuff? has great reviews from what I've read on multiple sites.

Thanks,

BP