Go-to Chain Lube - What's Yours?

[FJ1100mjk]

After using up a can a piece of PJ1's Blue and Black Label chain lubes, I'm wondering about other brands.

I found the PJ1's Black Label lube to be messy, and liked the Blue Label because it set up and did not fling off a whole lot, unlike the Black Label. From a lubrication standpoint, both seemed to work fairly well, and remained on the chain pretty good after riding in some rainy conditions at length.

What brand(s) have you found to your liking, why, and what others did you try, and then move on from before arriving at your go-to lube?

Thanks in advance.

[ribbert]

Having pretty much been through one of everything in the shop I have been using Motul the last few years and was very happy with it. I recently changed to an oiler.

Noel

[racerrad8]

Tri-Flow.

I lube the chain weekly after the ride, when the chain is hot. The Tri-Flow is a light enough oil to be able to penetrate past the o-rings and lube the internal pins of each link of the chain.

It is amazing how much the chain will absorb when hot and the correct lubrication is used.

My current DID chain has over 10K on it and I only check & adjust it at every oil change if required.

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

Tri-Flow for me as well, it washes off easier than the ant-fling stuff.

[Country Joe]

Dupont Teflon Chain Lube. It's all I have used on this chain, I only have about 4,500 miles on it. So, long term, I have no idea how good it is.
Joe

[FJmonkey]

Dupont Teflon Chain Lube. It's all I have used on this chain, I only have about 4,500 miles on it. So, long term, I have no idea how good it is.
Joe

Teflon and Tri-Flow are both PTFE, good slippery stuff for your chain... I learned about Tri-Flow from firearms. Some of best all around lubricant.

[Firehawk068]

I have used engine oil for awhile.............................
Every time I do an oil change on something (car,jeep, motorcycle,lawnmower,etc............) I drain every last drop of fresh oil that was left in the bottles into a container.........
I then put that oil into a pistol oil can, and that's what I use on my chain..................It is a mixture of 5w30,10w30,10w40...........and sometimes 75w90
I don't clean and lube my chain nearly as often as I should, but it has about 22,000 miles on it, and it is about 1/3rd into it's adjustment range...........
I am running a RK 530GXW Gold chain.............http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/41641/i/rk-530-gxw-xw-ring-chain

I am not a fan of the sticky/waxy chain lubes..............I always felt they attract too much grit........

[Zwartie]

I've been using this stuff for the past couple years:



http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/chain_saver.html

I used to use the "chain wax" and similar types of chain lubes that were not supposed to fling off but I found they just left a gummy residue on the chain that would ultimately attract dirt and debris. I used the Dupont Chain Lube on the 16,000 km ride to Alaska and back, lubed the chain every day, rode some pretty dirty roads and only had to adjust the chain once the entire trip.

Once or twice a season I clean the chain using this:



http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/motorcycle.html

That's all I have to say about that.

Zwartie

[Dads_FJ]

Tri-flo every 400 miles on my TDM.  Chainsaw oil on my FJ which has an automatic oiler.

[ribbert]

I reckon you're between a rock and a hard place with chain lubes. The stuff that doesn't fly off attracts grit, the stuff that doesn't attract grit flys off and if it doesn't do either, has dubious lubricating qualities.

My last chain lube would still be present after 1000kms of rain but over time became more like valve grinding paste with all the fine abrasive it would hold.

If anyone out there washes their chain (properly) as often as they say they do, or should, I'd like to meet him and shake his hand.

It was interesting when I first fitted the oiler, all the black crud that got slung off, presumably residue from the old lube. If you rubbed it between your fingers, you could feel the grit. It settled down after a while and now just throws off a bit of clean oil which I guess means it's doing its job.
I have about a years supply of the Scott lube (winter and Summer) so I'm using that.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

I reckon you're between a rock and a hard place with chain lubes. The stuff that doesn't fly off attracts grit, the stuff that doesn't attract grit flys off and if it doesn't do either, has dubious lubricating qualities.

My last chain lube would still be present after 1000kms of rain but over time became more like valve grinding paste with all the fine abrasive it would hold.

If anyone out there washes their chain (properly) as often as they say they do, or should, I'd like to meet him and shake his hand.

It was interesting when I first fitted the oiler, all the black crud that got slung off, presumably residue from the old lube. If you rubbed it between your fingers, you could feel the grit. It settled down after a while and now just throws off a bit of clean oil which I guess means it's doing its job.
I have about a years supply of the Scott lube (winter and Summer) so I'm using that.

Noel

Yep, all that oil flinging off will also fling off the grit and chain destroying abrasive. Keep the chain clean, lubed, and wash off the rear wheel if you don't like the look. Or choose to go through chains more often. You do the math....

[Capn Ron]

This stuff is the shiznit:



I apply it at the end of each day's ride...between 300 and 600 miles...at the campsite or hotel.  A drip on each pivot point of the chain and one on each roller.  I then wipe down the entire chain because there's nothing the lube on the outside of the plates will do but attract dirt.  20,000 miles and counting on an EK ZZZ chain with just THREE tension adjustments.

Coming from the bicycle world and having been shown the lubricating properties of Teflon, I would also give the nod to Tri-Flow.  GREAT stuff!

[TexasDave]

I used to use the sticky type chain lube. Sticks to the chain and guard, swingarm, wheel, tire .......etc. Randy got me started me with TriFlow and everything stays much cleaner. Being the lazy type I put the bike on the center stand, spin the rear wheel and spray the inside of the chain every couple hundred miles.   Dave

[FJ1100mjk]

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the chain lubes. A number of good options, and the opinions of them, are always good when they come from the users.

An automatic chain lube system has always been an intriguing method to me. I have read about them, and the  users'opinions of them vary. Some are pricey, but I think it goes along the line of your getting what you pay for. Spend some decent money, and you'll be happier.

[ribbert]

Thanks everyone for the feedback on the chain lubes. A number of good options, and the opinions of them, are always good when they come from the users.

An automatic chain lube system has always been an intriguing method to me. I have read about them, and the  users'opinions of them vary. Some are pricey, but I think it goes along the line of your getting what you pay for. Spend some decent money, and you'll be happier.

As a recent convert to an oiler after 45 years of riding, I am very pleased with it. You're right, they are not cheap, near enough to $400 with a twin feed nozzle and a few bits and pieces for a top of the line Scott oiler. User testimonials suggest I will get that back in my first chain. The results so far are very encouraging.
I've done about 5000kms on it to date with very good results.

For those that might be interested, below is the latest Scott E-system display.



It has an infinitely adjustable accelerometer so it only feeds when the bike is moving and an indicator to show when it changes from standby to feed. It also has time and ambient temp (big deal)
The main feature for me is the large number in the centre (S/DP), this is seconds per drop. It is programmable between 40 and 180 seconds between drops. I have the twin nozzle feeding to either side of the sprocket just above the chain. You can adjust this on the fly simply by using the buttons up and down.
The system uses an electro magnetic plunger instead of vacuum.  A full reservoir is good for about 6000 kms.

To date I have nothing but praise for it, unlike the Sena 20s bluetooth headset, of which I unfortunately bought 3.

Noel