Chain Lube

[miatamarty]

Ok, so what's the latest and greatest in chain lube. My last 2 bikes had belt drive and driveshaft,  so I'm ignorant. 

[RPM - Robert]

We use this and many other like Pat and Mike. We are getting 25-30k miles on a set of chain and sprockets. Apply after a ride. It isn't as thick as standard chain lube so there is a lot of gunk build up and the teflon in it does very well with the o/x ring chains.

https://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=tri-flowL

[FJmonkey]

Well, just as I was typing, Robert beat me to the post.

I have used many brands. The super sticky/wax like is the worst. It clings to everything and is a real pain to remove the old lube, so it normally just remains and collects more dirt. I now use Triflo (or similar). A light coat every tank or 2. The old oil cleans off easy and it does not cake up inside the drive shaft pocket.

[miatamarty]

I see all these chain cleaner products. Are they any good or do they just cause more problems with the o-rings. Just wipe it down with a little acetone before lubing?

[Pat Conlon]

I see all these chain cleaner products. Are they any good or do they just cause more problems with the o-rings. Just wipe it down with a little acetone before lubing?

No, do not use acetone on your O ring chain. You will eat the rubber O rings.

[Sparky84]

I see all these chain cleaner products. Are they any good or do they just cause more problems with the o-rings. Just wipe it down with a little acetone before lubing?

My tip for chain cleaning is, give it a bit of a wipe when you are changing to a new one, it'll stop your hands getting really dirty, otherwise I don't really clean it.

As with the lube, usually after a ride while the chains still warm and as FJmonkey says.. every couple of tanks.

I use Motul off road, Never used a wax one.

[FJ1200W]

What they said, plus when mine gets grungy, I'll carefully use a Motion Pro Chain Brush on it.

[red]

I watched a guy put his bike on the side stand, stand next to the bike, and spray the chain lube  from the side. Then he moved the bike and sprayed what he missed the first time.  Needless to say, he ended up with more chain lube on the bike than on the chain.
Try this instead: put the FJ on the center stand, start the engine, and engage first gear.  Get directly behind the bike, and lay the skinny straw from the aerosol can on the top of the chain, pointed straight at the front sprocket. Using gentle pressure on the spray button, put a thin stream of chain lube on the chain as it moves toward the front sprocket. When the chain has made a few laps around the sprockets, the sprockets and the chain will be well lubed. Hold a paper towel against the bottom of the chain between the two sprockets, to clean away any excess lube. Don't let the paper towel or your hand get anywhere near the sprockets. NEVER wrap the paper towel or your hand around the moving chain to wipe away excess lube. This process does not allow chain lube to go anywhere except onto the chain.  HTH.

[moparman70]

I used kerosene to clean the chain -- just on a rag and rotate the chain through.  It won't harm the rings -- then applied bel-ray chain  --- it comes out the tube in a foam and easy to apply.

[FJmonkey]

Public Service Announcement!!! Keep body parts and clothing away from the chain and sprockets with bike in gear and running. Many years ago I help a chap get his FJ roiling again after he did this exact operation. The rag got caught, he did not react in time and the chain/sprocket did a through job of removing the end of a finger. The danger is real. It is not hard to roll the rear wheel to advance the chain manually. Plenty of gruesome photos on the web on this injury if you are nor sure.

Stay safe, more time to ride. 

[red]

----- PSA ------
  +1!
I'll buy that advice, certainly.  No need at all to run the engine when removing any excess chain lube.  Kick Neutral, shut down the engine, and turn the rear wheel by hand to remove any excess by using a paper towel.

[moparman70]

yes == never run the engine --- I just remember cleaning from the end of the rear sprocket and can't remember any close calls --- moving it slowing and seemed to work fine.