How often do you guys lube your chain?

How often do you guys lube your chain?

I've notice that my chain has been looking nasty lately. I have been cleaning 'em and lubing them pretty much every other week. I am starting to think the seals are gone. Meaning they become very dry looking after awhile, like its never been lube.

you lube your chain more than I do!!! cheater !!!

How many miles are on your bike? It may be time for a new chain and sprockets....

Trent
when do you suppose to change it?

O ring chains are usually lubed with stuff that just isn't good for them, like sticky emulsifying goo spray lubes that people buy because of the ultra hype advertizing.

The best way to lube an O ring chain is after the last run of the day, on a regularly scheduled time frame, like once every two weeks, etc., get the rear wheel off the ground so it will spin freely.

Use a soft bristle brush and good rag to remove all the dirt and road grime from the chain.

With the chain still hot from the ride, drop one drop if good quality natural engine oil on every O ring (I use 30 wgt, or 20W50, just use a good natural engine oil), both sides of the chain, and let it soak the O rings. You also want to lube the outside of the rollers where they ride on the sprockets.

When the chain has cooled completely off, and the oil has disbursed over the chain, use a clean rag to remove the extra oil from the chain.

That is it.

O ring chains are sealed by the O rings, and expensive goo lubes don't penetrate past the O rings anyway, that is why they are there, to hold the factory lube inside, and not let outside contaminents into the pins and inner rollers. The oil keeps the O rings pliable, and helps them seal the chain correctly.

To check a chain for wear, at the rear sprocket, in the middle of the cnain run on the sprocket, about adjuster level, pull the chain backwards. the chian shouldn't have much movement off the sprocket teeth, it should stay in close contact with the sprocket teeth. Always do this check AFTER properly lubricating and adjusting the chain.

I always set the chain slack with the swing arm half way thru its travel, as chains tighten as the swing arm travels upwards to the center of its travel, then slackens as the swing arm continues to rise past center of its travel.

I actually had my master link break in half today on my way to work. Lucky for me I had'nt gone very far from the house and it was still holding on one side so I was able to turn around and limp the bike home. It must have been failing for a while because I have heard a tick tick tick noise when going slow enough and I could feel it through the pegs.

Thanks for the tip, I'll get on it as soon as I have the time. Great reply!

rz500rider wrote:

O ring chains are usually lubed with stuff that just isn't good for them, like sticky emulsifying goo spray lubes that people buy because of the ultra hype advertizing.

The best way to lube an O ring chain is after the last run of the day, on a regularly scheduled time frame, like once every two weeks, etc., get the rear wheel off the ground so it will spin freely.

Use a soft bristle brush and good rag to remove all the dirt and road grime from the chain.

With the chain still hot from the ride, drop one drop if good quality natural engine oil on every O ring (I use 30 wgt, or 20W50, just use a good natural engine oil), both sides of the chain, and let it soak the O rings. You also want to lube the outside of the rollers where they ride on the sprockets.

When the chain has cooled completely off, and the oil has disbursed over the chain, use a clean rag to remove the extra oil from the chain.

That is it.

O ring chains are sealed by the O rings, and expensive goo lubes don't penetrate past the O rings anyway, that is why they are there, to hold the factory lube inside, and not let outside contaminents into the pins and inner rollers. The oil keeps the O rings pliable, and helps them seal the chain correctly.

To check a chain for wear, at the rear sprocket, in the middle of the cnain run on the sprocket, about adjuster level, pull the chain backwards. the chian shouldn't have much movement off the sprocket teeth, it should stay in close contact with the sprocket teeth. Always do this check AFTER properly lubricating and adjusting the chain.

I always set the chain slack with the swing arm half way thru its travel, as chains tighten as the swing arm travels upwards to the center of its travel, then slackens as the swing arm continues to rise past center of its travel.