Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

[sarav.sandhu]

PS: Chain covers do help increase chain-sprocket life by restricting exposure to dust etc but the dangers of the chain breaking and fouling inside the cover with its resultant wheel lock is a rather steep price for good chain life.

Is that really that dangerous ? I mean i see many guys putting up chain covers to enhance chain life and i too was looking forward to it.

Before it attracts dust and crushes the O-Rings between the links, clean it well with a cloth, etc.
Then, apply a good chain lube/ spray on it. There should be no problems.

I'll definitely clean it today only.

But again the burning hot question - Which chain lube is good for O-Rings?

P.S. : The chain is just 2 weeks old, do i really need to relubricate it.

[Mad Mik]

Yesterday, while i was a little away, the service guy lubed my bike's new O-Ring chain with the conventional, used up engine oil. Will it cause any deterioration to the o ring chain ?

What steps can i do to prevent the damage, if any.

First off I'd be looking for a new bike mechanic.
Used engine oil....What do you think are the reasons for changing engine oils...
Would u put used engine oil back into a engine?
Think about it, then would u want to put a dirty metal suspended "oil" that has lost its viscosity and sheer properties back into a lubricating and friction reducing environment? You may as well use water as lube (I wouldn't recommend water but you get my point)

I'd be washing your chain first, then use a decent branded chain lube or 80w+ gear oil (new, clean, not used) and lightly run some on the inside, so the centrifugal force will push it outwards through the chain first, rather than lube the outside and have it fly off the chain.

Keep the remainder of the gear oil (if you decide to use it for next time you wash your bike) so u can lube the chain again.

[WarpSpeed]

All cool here but never do it with engine running. Many do i agree but dangerous if goes wrong. Seen some graphic images so can never take the risk...Its pretty much one hand usage and tyre can be spun by other hand. You dont really need engine running to do it but yes to warm it up.

Put a cardboard between your chain and tyres (not only the disc) and you save all the WD40 and lube going on your tyres.
I use belray...works well with no fling at all....

Is that really that dangerous ? I mean i see many guys putting up chain covers to enhance chain life and i too was looking forward to it.

Chain guard solves the problem... depends on swingarm design as well though.
Agreeing with Old Fox, I am yet to see a SBK with full chain cover but will be surprised some day i am sure...

[easy_rider]

Firstly thanks to Omega Man as also others for all the info.

I'm looking forward to servicing my drive chain myself shortly. Just wanted to confirm one thing.

Does an O-Ring chain need no grease between the links? As of now my chain does have grease on it! Or is it that the sprockets are supposed to be greased? Sorry for the noob queries, but any info is appreciated.

[vibbs]

I find it strange that someone would be testing O rings by their tensile strength, when O rings are used to seal by even pressure around them, Not by pulling them appart.
I find these tests irrelevant and a waste of the guys time.

I agree and would like to add my two cents on this. I too am in a profession that sees the use of WD40, diesel, kerosene, rustolene etc. One thing we need to understand is that the purpose here is to clean and not lubricate. WD40 is sprayed to clean the chain off grime and dirt. Yes chemicals may make the O rings go brittle which may in turn reduce there tensile strength but it is not a great idea to test the effects by keeping them immersed in the said solvents for days together. You dont have the same effects on o rings if you use WD 40 for cleaning purposes. The exposure is no where similar.
Yes one problem can occur, that is if WD 40 manages to penetrate inside the O ring and dilute the grease and, WD 40 is a penetrant. But that can be easily avoided by using it judicially.

[amardeep2006]

eye opener thread

Guys please go through this thread on T-BHP forum where someone met an unfortunate accident . Please be careful while cleaning the chains. It seems that such accidents are very common .

DO NOT clean motorcycle chain with bike running in 1st gear and on the main stand! - Team-BHP

[jonahmano]

WD-40 is not a good cleaner for chain.

For two reasons:

1) WD-40 contains cleaning solutions that will interfere with whatever lubricant you choose to (TRY AND) apply afterwards.

2) WD-40 is a very good penetrator, and if it does get by your o/x-rings it will contaminate the grease sealed within.


(( So take a WD-40 Customer Service rep's word for it:


Thank you for contacting the WD-40 Company concerning the use of our product. WD-40 contains cleaning solutions, and for this reason we do not recommend using WD-40 first and then applying another lubricant. ))


Copy-pasted from well known forum. Don't know if it is appropriate to post the forum's link.

[Sird]

Hows this one guys :

Tribocor Chain Lube Bike Chain Spray ( TC 40) 500ML | eBay

I'm not able to find Motul chain Lube / 140EP / 90EP on eBay.
So Hows this lube or should I try my luck in local market rather than ebay ?

[prateek57]

hey..sry for a noob question....but i was thinking can i use dot4 kbx super5 brake fluid to lubricate my apache rtr 180 non abs chain?

[Pinaki]

Hows this one guys :
Tribocor Chain Lube Bike Chain Spray ( TC 40) 500ML | eBay
I'm not able to find Motul chain Lube / 140EP / 90EP on eBay.
So Hows this lube or should I try my luck in local market rather than ebay ?

Buy 90 gear oil from local oil shop or a light motor-oil(fresh) is sufficient for O-ring chain lubrication .

hey..sry for a noob question....but i was thinking can i use dot4 kbx super5 brake fluid to lubricate my apache rtr 180 non abs chain?

Again Prateek , brake fluid is corrosive . Never use it for any lubrication .

[jithmeister]

My lube is so sticky, that I wasn't even able to clean the left overs. Its priced at some Rs.300-400. Would quality products also stick as much?

[yashasvi]

There are two products from motul, one is cleaner and the other one is lube, can i skip the cleaner and use diesel instead??

[Sird]

My lube is so sticky, that I wasn't even able to clean the left overs. Its priced at some Rs.300-400. Would quality products also stick as much?

Which brand ?
If its not sticky its not gonna stay on your chain either

And its not too sticky. Its the dust and sand that keeps on sticking & you see a thick layer in a week.
Use some cleaner like WD40 first to clean and it will move the sticky deposit from your chain easily.


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There are two products from motul, one is cleaner and the other one is lube, can i skip the cleaner and use diesel instead??

Yes you can skip the Cleaner because its high priced.
You can use WD40 even to clean chain.

Its already cleared here that WD40 wont harm your chain but over lubing with WD40 would maybe.
So please surf this thread if you have question like "will WD40 ruin my chain ? / is it safe ?".

And check the Motul lube before buying. Don't buy the off-road lube by mistake.


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[Albert Paul]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

I heard WD-40 is not suitable for O ring chains also do harm to chain,

Reference

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/do-yourself/16512-bike-o-ring-chain-cleaning-lubrication-post856431.html#post856431

Please do confirm this.

[Sird]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

I heard WD-40 is not suitable for O ring chains also do harm to chain,

Reference

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/do-yourself/16512-bike-o-ring-chain-cleaning-lubrication-post856431.html#post856431

Please do confirm this.

This is a very very controversial subject.

But after many other references & tests. It's already tested that WD40 is mot bad for our O-Ring Chains.

Use it wisely.
Then use a recommended Chain-Lube (Like Motul Chain Lube).


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