Chain Life

[focus frenzy]

not attempting to hijack it!

As my first and only bike is a shaftie, I was always curious about chains, now I know more!

shafties rule!!! so much simpler and easier to maintain, you are out riding while the chain gang is slaving away messing with chains! LOL

my 1100E came to me with a real fancy gold colored side plate X-ring chain and it is not wearing at all. I have yet to have to adjust it.

my SV1000N came from the factory with a RK X-ring chain and I just replaced it at 15K miles due to it slinging rust out from behind the rings and it was starting to bind. it was at about 5/8ths on the adjustment range.
the new chain is a OEM RK X-ring and I be damned if Suzuki didn't make the slots a half link to short and with the new chain on and adjusted to spec the axle is 5/8ths back on the adjustment range!

I don't know if it is the same stuff as you are using Earl, but I have switched to using Dupont "Teflon multi-use dry wax lubricant" I got from Lowe's. it is the hot new thing and is sweeping like wild fire on the motorcycle forums.

great stuff! very clean and it wont fling off all over the back wheel and it reduces friction.

 

[Nessism]

since this is already a chain thread... the tension in my chain will get loose and then really tight and loose again as the wheel rotates, teh chain and sprockets have been replaced by the previous owner and are not worn out. I replaced the rear sprocket as it was bent ( i guess the bike fell over at somepoint) I put my wheel back on the bike and tension the chain, it still does the same thing. I figured my chain is kinked, so since it is so close to riding season and practically is i ordered a chain. This better be the fix. I'll keep my kinked chain and clean it real well and try to get the kinks out of it as it still has life while my new chain is on the bike. I'm assuming the front sprocket isn't bent, that would be hard to do. Does this sound like a good idea anyone?

Tight and loose spots on a chain are a sign of wear. If the bike has sat a long time you could try to loosen it up by soaking in kerosene or similar, and then check it again after a few hundred miles of use. If the tightness doesn't go away on a chain in regular use, the chain is junk and should be trashed.

 

[jabberjoe87]

well good thing i ordered new stuff, even though the expected delivery date is april 1st!!!

 

[earlfor]

shafties rule!!! so much simpler and easier to maintain, you are out riding while the chain gang is slaving away messing with chains! LOL

I don't know if it is the same stuff as you are using Earl, but I have switched to using Dupont "Teflon multi-use dry wax lubricant" I got from Lowe's. it is the hot new thing and is sweeping like wild fire on the motorcycle forums.

great stuff! very clean and it wont fling off all over the back wheel and it reduces friction.

Yepper, we be using the same Dupont multi. I've been using it for a few years and am very happy with it.

Uhhhh, shaft people are out riding while chain people are messing with their chains? Wrong old Oreo breath, 15 minutes every 6k miles is probably less time than you spend polishing your pumpkin.

Earl

 

[Nessism]

That spray teflon stuff is basically useless are far as chain lubrication goes. It will keep the squeaking down, but that's about it. Funny how some guys insist on running overpriced Amsoil oil in their engine but use garage door spray on their chains. Fortunately for you chain guys, chains and sprockets are so good these days that a little spritz of something seems to do the trick.

 

[Ola]

Shaft riders have a different chain to worry about.



*click click click* dear gods please let my spline gears last another season

 

[schlyme]

my first chain lasted me about 15000 mile and that was neglecting it . the new chain i clean, lub n tension it religiously and minimal wear for 5000 miles. i use diesel fuel to clean it. soak a rag and wipe it down. i know this next time it will have to be chain n sprockets change.

 

[earlfor]

That spray teflon stuff is basically useless are far as chain lubrication goes. It will keep the squeaking down, but that's about it. Funny how some guys insist on running overpriced Amsoil oil in their engine but use garage door spray on their chains. Fortunately for you chain guys, chains and sprockets are so good these days that a little spritz of something seems to do the trick.

There is no reason to grease, oil or otherwise lube any of the metal parts of an "O" ring chain. The side plates do not rub because they are separated by "O" rings. The pins are lubed at the factory and sealed, so they can not be lubed anyhow. The chain rollers roll, hence the name "roller chain". The only points of an "O" ring chain to be concerned with are the pliability of the rubber "O" rings and surface rust on the sideplates. If the "O" rings dry out, the sealed in grease on the pins is lost. The Dupont teflon multi purpose product is a rubber lubricant and rust inhibitor, which is EXACTLY what IS needed for an "O" ring chain. Anything that is sticky will retain grit/sand and that will destroy the "O" rings. That is why thick, sticky chain lube is undesirable and this is much better.


Earl

 

[bwringer]

Yepper, we be using the same Dupont multi. I've been using it for a few years and am very happy with it.

Uhhhh, shaft people are out riding while chain people are messing with their chains? Wrong old Oreo breath, 15 minutes every 6k miles is probably less time than you spend polishing your pumpkin.

Earl

I keep a can of the DuPont stuff in my garage in case any of you chainies drop in. $5 or so at Lowe's.

It's pretty interesting stuff -- it goes on very thin, which will help wash away a moderate amount of grime, then becomes a dry wax a few minutes later.

Smells nice, too.

And yeah, it's great on my garage door and lots of other pivoting sliding stuff.

No good for cables -- it's too thick.

 

[earlfor]

I keep a can of the DuPont stuff in my garage in case any of you chainies drop in. $5 or so at Lowe's.

It's pretty interesting stuff -- it goes on very thin, which will help wash away a moderate amount of grime, then becomes a dry wax a few minutes later.

Smells nice, too.

And yeah, it's great on my garage door and lots of other pivoting sliding stuff.

No good for cables -- it's too thick.

Instead of kerosene, I use it as a "pressure flush" to clean the chain. Blow out any grit, let the excess drip onto a piece of cardboard under the bike and wipe down lightly when done flushing. Then a light coat and let sit for about ten minutes. I only "flush" the chain maybe every 6 weeks or so, rest of the time, its a light wipe and spray. 25 to 30K miles on a chain/sprocket set and cant remember the last time I had a sticking link.

Earl

 

[Nessism]

There is no reason to grease, oil or otherwise lube any of the metal parts of an "O" ring chain. The side plates do not rub because they are separated by "O" rings. The pins are lubed at the factory and sealed, so they can not be lubed anyhow. The chain rollers roll, hence the name "roller chain". The only points of an "O" ring chain to be concerned with are the pliability of the rubber "O" rings and surface rust on the sideplates. If the "O" rings dry out, the sealed in grease on the pins is lost. The Dupont teflon multi purpose product is a rubber lubricant and rust inhibitor, which is EXACTLY what IS needed for an "O" ring chain. Anything that is sticky will retain grit/sand and that will destroy the "O" rings. That is why thick, sticky chain lube is undesirable and this is much better.


Earl

A high pressure lube is ideal for chains. The sprockets and rollers wear away due to high pressure contact between the two. There are chain "waxes" that some people like because they are dry film lube, but I prefer to use something like PJ1 Blue spray lube. That teflon lube some of you guys use may be thick but I doubt it has the high pressure constituents like a real chain lube plus it will fly off. At any rate, chain maintenance is like oil threads - many people have differences of opinion. Needless to say, I'm right and everyone opposed to my point of view is wrong. Have a good day.

 

[earlfor]

A high pressure lube is ideal for chains. The sprockets and rollers wear away due to high pressure contact between the two. There are chain "waxes" that some people like because they are dry film lube, but I prefer to use something like PJ1 Blue spray lube. That teflon lube some of you guys use may be thick but I doubt it has the high pressure constituents like a real chain lube. At any rate, chain maintenance is like oil threads - many people have differences of opinion. Needless to say, I'm right and everyone opposed to my point of view is wrong. Have a good day.

I have seen sprocket teeth worn away and I've seen chains stretched, but I have never seen a roller worn through, even on chains that have worn sprocket teeth down to nearly nothing.
Needless to say, I'm right and everyone opposed to my point of view is wrong. Have a good day.

Earl

 

[Ola]

You'd need quite a bit of oil pressure to keep the roller away from the sprocket, such as happens inside our engines. And I don't think the roller rolls much on the sprocket, it's the pin that rolls inside it.

I spray mostly on the plates to the lube in between and on top of the rings. The overspray covers the rollers so they get lubed regardless.

All I know is clip-style master links and not cleaning chains results in this:

The PO said he lubed the chain regularly. I was surprised when the rather cool jet black chain turned out to be shiny metal under years of grime.

 

[duaneage]

shafties rule!!! so much simpler and easier to maintain, you are out riding while the chain gang is slaving away messing with chains! LOL


I don't know if it is the same stuff as you are using Earl, but I have switched to using Dupont "Teflon multi-use dry wax lubricant" I got from Lowe's. it is the hot new thing and is sweeping like wild fire on the motorcycle forums.

great stuff! very clean and it wont fling off all over the back wheel and it reduces friction.

+ 1 on both these points.

My Yamaha had the original chain on it and after 15K it was done. Over 4 inches longer than the new chain. I got an inexpensive 0 ring chain and new gears for it because, hey , it's not a race bike.

I use the chain wax spray and the chain stays grime free. Also does not fling it all around like the oil. It goes on white so when you no longer see the wax it's time to reapply. I don't know how long it will last but I have 1200 miles on it so far and no adjustments yet.

 

[Clone]

I am of two minds when it comes to chains
I used straight chain (non-oring) for years, kept them lubed and got lots of miles out of them.
I use o-ring chain now and keep it lubed and get lots of distance out of it.
I use Maxima chain wax on my chain about every third tank of fuel. Clean the collected crud off at each oil change.
I also set the chain play at the beginning of the season when I service the bike usually in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches of play (overly tight will kill a chain faster than rain). I check the tension everytime I lube it but have not had to adjust a chain more than every second oil change.
A chain set to 1.5" of play will 'wear in' and find its happy place for me it is usually in the 2" play range. At this point just keep it lubed and clean BUT DO NOT TIGHTEN IT BACK UP TO 1.5" OF PLAY that will cause it to wear back to that point where it is happy all over again.
Then as you keep tightening it up to 1.5" and it keeps wearing out to the perfect place it gets longer and longer and the rollers wear away at the sprockets. It is a viscious cycle which you can break
BY NOT KEEPING IT TIGHTENED UP TO 1.5" OF PLAY:!:

 

[salty_monk]

I got some of that stuff with beef additives in that McDonald's use on their fries... Works like S**t but it smells nice
Have some issues with Dog's chasing me down the st though....

I use the PJ1 for O ring chains. No idea on lifespan but there's no way I'm cleaning it every week, my time is worth more than that

Dan

 

[Don-lo]

I bought my GS1000E new in 80. In 81, I was on my way to Florida and realized I forgot my chainlube. I stopped in Lexington KY at an automotive store to see what they had. They had something new: Tri-flon. It smelled like bananas, but worked great. I got 44,000 miles out of that first chain. At replacement, it was out to the max wear line on adjustment and needed lubed often, but never gave out on me.