Chain lubrication

[Tuned forks]

So I hope this doesn't turn into one of those disagreeable subjects like tires and motor oil.  Before the WCR, I had asked Robert about chain lube.  Some background, a former co-worker that rode everyday had the cleanest daily chain I ever saw.  I tried a couple clear formulas but bad stuff always stuck to the chain and made it look like doggy poo.  So Rob offered that they use Tri-Flow.  Cool, I remember using that when I was young and rode an actual bike.  You know, a bicycle.  At the rally, I saw someone else using Tri-Flow.  I think it was Midget.  A discussion ensued about how o-ring chains actually don't need lubricating because the factory lube is trapped within the o-rings and all we need to do is use a product that will clean off the chain.  As an aside, I noticed that when I sprayed down the chain with Tri-Flow, I could more easily rotate the rear tire.  Huh, interesting.  Then I saw this Youtube video and the presenter confirmed the idea about o-rings preserving the factory lube.  So, once again I learned something from fellow members.  If you were there in that conversation then you know who you are. 

Joe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0

[red]

FWIW, I see a lot of riders spraying chain lube (whatever type they may use) from the side of the chain.  Over-spray can get on the wheel, brake disk, and other unwanted places.  I suggest using the plastic straw applicator, instead.  I put the bike on the centerstand, start the engine and engage first gear at idle.  I get behind the bike and spray the lube from just above the rear sprocket, pointed straight at the front sprocket.  With the chain running slowly, I do not use the full force of the spray, but just barely press the button to flow the lube gently onto the chain.  This way, there is very little lube going anywhere except onto the chain.  HTH.
.

[FJmonkey]

Joe, I was present. I use to be a Chain Wax guy. What a sticky mess of snot that was.

[ZOA NOM]

I don't lube O-ring chains. The factory lubes them and the lube should stay inside the O-rings. I only clean the outside with WD-40 or motor oil to prevent rust.

Watch this


LOL, just realized I linked the same video.  


In any event, I use the WD-40 and a microfiber rag to wipe the chain as it rotates around. This keeps it from slinging off. I also use a piece of cardboard between the wheel and sprocket while I spray to keep it off the wheel.

[Sparky84]

I do not use the full force of the spray, but just barely press the button to flow the lube gently onto the chain.  This way, there is very little lube going anywhere except onto the chain.  HTH.

Yep, exactly how I do it, usually after a ride while chain is warm
Then wipe off the little excess before next ride.

Don't think I've every cleaned the chain, too messy

[CutterBill]

I'm in the don't-lube-o-ring-chains camp. I stopped when I realized that anything I sprayed on the outside wasn't going to get past the o-rings. So I haven't lubed a chain in years; no problems yet! On the other hand, I live in the desert and it never rains here. If I often rode in the rain, I might feel the need to spray the chain with... something... to prevent rust.
Bill

[red]

I will use lubrication on a drive chain, even on an O-ring chain.  O-rings flatten out under compression with time, and in the case of a chain, the O-rings may wear flat on each side, as the plates pivot on a sprocket.  Lubrication should keep the O-rings more pliant, and help to minimize any O-ring wear from the chain plates, as the links pivot.  If that lube is just a waste of my money, so be it; if lubrication prevents a chain failure, it becomes priceless.  Failure of a drive chain on the FJ can destroy the engine casings, all aside from any resulting crash.  My US$.02 worth.

[Sparky84]

  My US$.02 worth.

Well that's about 100$ Australian, fair bit of clout.

I will keep using lube but draw the line at cleaning the chain.

[Old Rider]

The O ring chain has to be lubed if you want it to last a longer.The guy in the video is wrong . The o or x rings only keep  some of the lube that was put there from factory and that is the lube that is on the outer surface of the inner solid pin and inner surface of the  hollow tube pin.The lube that is on the inside of the outer roller / outside of the hollow pin  has to be replaced repeatedly intervals with a good chainlube because the orings do not seal that lube.
The rollers need lube on the inside.

[red]

One last consideration: your sprockets will last much longer, with chain lube.
.

[ZOA NOM]

From the Wikipedia: There is grease inside, not a liquid lube. I would suggest that spraying lube on the chain from the outside does nothing to the inside, except attract grit that erodes the o-rings, and the grease within keeps the o-rings supple.  

[Old Rider]

Here is a diagram that show where the chain needs to be lubed. The yellow fields is where the factory grease will disappear and need  regular lubrication the red fields is where the factory grease is
sealed in "for life"  or until the orings dryes out.

[ZOA NOM]

Interesting conundrum... Do I add lubrication to satisfy the outer hollow pin to roller interface, risking attracting grit that can compromise the o-rings, leading to factory lubrication compromise? I would suggest the hollow pin and the roller could seize together without being noticed as long as the o-ring seal is retained so the inner pin can rotate. I like the clean-only method.

[Zwartie]

A clean chain is a happy chain. Just note that clean does not equal dry. I've been using DuPoint Chain Saver (see below) for a number of years and it's worked great. It's not thick and pasty like chain wax so it doesn't collect or attract gunk. Since I started using it I was able to get close to 50,000 km out of a previous chain and sprockets and that included the 16,000 km Alaska ride. On that ride (and any other multi-day ride) I was diligent in lubing the chain on a daily basis. There were some extremely dirty, dusty, muddy, and gravelly (downright shitty) roads in the North and I only ever had to adjust the chain once the entire ride. The current chain on the FJ is at close to 30,000 km with no signs of wear and I don't recall having to adjust it other than after tire changes.



Since I now ride an FJR1300 I haven't had to adjust or lube the chain even once!!!

Zwartie

[ryanschoebel]

I'm personally in the clean only camp. I clean the chain, and make sure all grit and dirt is off, but thats it. Mind you, I have had one chain snap, but I think it was an OEM chain with close to 30K miles on it.