Hi guys,
Chains whether covered or open must be maintained regularly. I favour open chains as maintenance is easier and any problems can be spotted easily. Access is easy. Off road bikes too have open chains.

Does anybody know why chain and sprockets wear off unevenly. It makes the ride uncomfortable and creates a ruk-ruk sound pattern. This was apparent on my FZ as the original set ran beyond 19,000 kms. Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer and got the entire set changed. The svc people could not give a credible answer to the uneven wear. They said it just happens.

I like the way Yamaha Has proceeded for my bike, they have provided a sturdy yet very light plastic chain cover case with a small opening near rear shock-spring, where I can see the lubrication of the chain.

I am yet to lube it, I am thinking of buying the Tribocor Chain Spray. That was the one they were using at my SVC.

I am not taking off the cover or doing the cleaning chain part as I see its pretty clean even after 400km run. I can get it done at regular service interval of 2 months. Yamaha SVC anyways charged like hell for chain lube! 120Rs!! I see they did good cleaning and spraying in my bikes first 2 services.

How frequently does a closed chain need oil/spray? I am just gonna apply some little amount of lube for every 500km of ride. Does that sound fair enough?

it all depends on riding condition bro. Some people can extend lube'in till 700-800kms but for some its 300-400kms. I'm from the latter.
But checking it every 400-500kms good for start (check whole bike for damages & needed maintenance), just ensure your chain is not dry & rollers are freely rolling.

Oh good then, I had been to J C road and was surprised most of the bike spares shop keepers did not stock the chain lubes, and those who did just had tiny cans which they said cost 250rs. there was one person who tired selling me an yamalube spray can for 350rs! It did not weight like a 500ml can to me so I though it must be a duplicate so kept away from it.

Later went to Yamaha SVC and got the Tribocor TC-40 lube for 300Rs.
Must try the spray tomorrow.

never tried any special chain lube just using 140 grade gear oil and sometimes 'used' engine oil.
Do try it out & post a small review.. Tell us how much it sticks, what amount of dust it attracts, how much it lasts, performance, etc.

Guys is it advisible to lube chain with used engine oil?Does it stick to the chain very well?need some advice on this.

no its not recommended.
It doesnt last more than 10km if you ride around 40kmph. It spills off the chain. But its known that something is better than nothing. So if it's an emergency kinda thing then ok, but dont depend on it alone.

Used engine oil can be used to regular chains where you ride very slow. Make sure to keep checking and putting oil from some oil can with small opening to lube the chain possibly every week or 100km. Generally on vehicles like TVS XL, splendor , CT100 etc are the engine oil of w40 or w50 grade can give sufficient lubrication until next service.

For other bikes you must go for even thicker oil like w90 (gear oil) which will last few hundred kilometers, or same grade chain sprays of foam/liquid kind which is equally long lasting but costlier say about rs.300 a can(I prefer the cleaning of chain using kerosene and lubricating be done when I get regular service done every 70days/3000km. After that at every 500km interval i check and spray a little grease myself to keep chain lubed).

On high speed race bikes they use graphite/gel compounds from spray or grease method which stick on to the chain and dont loose their features at very high stress/speed when chain becomes very hot. these are very costly stuff, 1can may costs almost equal to a new chain so we can install a new chain itself!

ok thanx for the info.So after cleaning the chain with kerosene should we use a used engine oil of w90 grade in case we don't have any other option?? But dosen't applying grease sticks dirt with it more frequently?I applied it on my pulsar & then the mechanic had to open the gear case to remove all the dirt from front sprocket too.

eew! too sad, dont apply wax or grease it will attract all dirt.
Clean your chain using kerosene and use a new w90 grade gear oil available in sachet too, it costs about 30rs. you can buy that from any petrol bunks or shops that sell bike engine oil. Also buy one small plastic dispenser with nozzle so that you can slowly apply oil on the chain. Always apply oil on hot chain i.e after riding for few km and apply oil only to inner sides and let extra oil drain off. Wait for atleast 1hr and then you can ride.

Dont keep engine running/gear on, when applying oil, many ppl have lost their fingers between chain and sprocket.

I have rode some 100 kms since the chain was cleaned and lubed but again i feel there is some sound. Although the rear wheel rotates freely. I am not sure whats this. Please help me out.

what grade oil you used? Try using 140 grade gear oil.

I use Tribocor chain lube (TC40) and it lasts me for 500km easily.

Engine oil , either new or spent, is a poor choice for chain lubrication . This is because engine oils are designed to flow well and will fly off the chain real fast . Spent oil also contains acids etc corrosive contaminants from the running engine . So splendor owners booklet also recommends the same SAE90 gear oil . Now only if their service center jokerboys would just read it !

For O-ring type chains , specially if open, the main consideration is to keep the rubber o-rings supple and clean . The chain contains it's essential lubrication sealed inside it by the o-rings for life from factory. So a light cleaning with kerosene and light lube like motor oil or aerosol chain spray works nice .
Non O-ring roller chains needs regular cleaning and lubrication with an oil that penetrates and reaches the roller bearing surfaces and stays there . SAE90 gear oil is recommended by the chain manufacturers and Honda and all other bike manufacturers for this purpose . A little grease may be applied if the chain is fully enclosed . It reduces chain noise & sprocket wear greatly and keeps the oil trapped in there much much longer . However it also makes it necessary to clean the chain with kerosene everytime before re-lubrication , otherwise the oil would not penetrate into the rollers , where it is really needed and the dirt trapped by the grease cannot be removed and stays there or worse, moves into the rollers . I have stopped using grease now as I have to lube 3 bike's chains , so it's easier to just oil it with SAE90 weekends . Of course I've also had to use 20w50 motor oil when nothing else is handy .. works ok for a little while .

I think I too said the same thing in the latter part if I am not wrong. Also lubricating with engine oil means frequent check and reapply. I run my bike atleast 70km a day, which means I would have to apply oil everyday! Messy and leaky.
So I use Tribocor Chainlube once in 20days. And get chain cleaned at regular service interval.
Also agreed that applying too much grease attracts muck and sand particles which will act like sandpaper!