Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

[KnG]

Re: Best way to clean a Motorcycle Chain

Hi,

Any input folks???

1 & 2 are ENOUGH. No need to worry.

THE IMPORTANT next part is to LUBRICATE the chain,

1. I personally use GEAR OIL. It's sticks with the chain pretty well. But needs proper look out in every 100km.

EASY, CHEAP, EFFECTIVE

2. HEARD (never used, will try) TVS CHAIN LUBE. It's come as a SPRAY. Available in TVS SERVICE CENTERS. Customers feed back is VERY GOOD. so can try it.

EASY, Value for money, EFFECTIVE.

[Drive_Responsibly]

Re: Best way to clean a Motorcycle Chain

Hi,

Any input folks???

Hi XBHPians,

This thread may sound like a repeated question but I really wanted a clear answer to clean the chain.

When I searched, I found the below list but I am not sure which would be the best way.

1. Kerosene - Good but availability is difficult
2. Diesel
3. WD 40 - Controversial. Some says its good for cleaning and some says not.
4. Petrol - This is not the safe one to use I believe
5. Chain Cleaner - I prefer 3M chain cleaner as I use Chain lube from the same Manu. Some claims that chain cleaner normally contains kerosene which is filled up in aerosol bottle.

So kindly advise me which one to opt for. If there is something else than the above, please let me know.

Thanks

[Drive_Responsibly]

Best way to clean a Motorcycle Chain

Hi XBHPians,

This thread may sound like a repeated question but I really wanted a clear answer to clean the chain.

When I searched, I found the below list but I am not sure which would be the best way.

1. Kerosene - Good but availability is difficult
2. Diesel
3. WD 40 - Controversial. Some says its good for cleaning and some says not.
4. Petrol - This is not the safe one to use I believe
5. Chain Cleaner - I prefer 3M chain cleaner as I use Chain lube from the same Manu. Some claims that chain cleaner normally contains kerosene which is filled up in aerosol bottle.

So kindly advise me which one to opt for. If there is something else than the above, please let me know.

Thanks

[vkuchhal]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Just my 2 cents on chain cleaning and lubing.

been using ninja 250 for close to 6 years now , with the chain for 30000 kms. i always use diesel on the chain and then let it stay for 30 mins and clean nicely with brush and more diesel.. then use the bike for 5 odd kms so that all the diesel is thrown out of the system and the chain becomes dry and i lube it either with 3m chain lube or the wurth hhs3000 and let it stay overnight. for each of the link to absorb on the greasy material and then start using the bike the next day.

The links and the x-ring might just been working fine to last me may be another 10k kms or more.

A word of caution: i never let the service center guys lube the chain , mainly for 2 reasons ....

1. They use the chain cleaner and immediately use the lube, which if thinking practically is of no use as both have opposite properties and the service guys are least bothered about it, since they do not brush off the cleaner completely after cleaning the chain.

2. The bike once lubed is given to the users and once we start using it , all the lube is thrown out on the Tire Rim. as they have not given it enough time to rest and the quality of lube they use is either OKS or TRIBOCOR which flings a-lot. for a total waste of time and money.

Your comments folks on my thoughts..

[Ujjwal96]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Is it safe to use wd-40 or zorrik for cleaning a non o-ring type chain ?

Haven't used WD-40 but there are many controversies going on WD-40 that is it safe for o-rings or not. So I would suggest you to better stay away.

Regarding zorrik, I have used this spray but its not a good cleaner especially when it comes to a bike's chain though its good for other purposes.

Specifically for cleaning you can use kerosene. Its gentle on o-rings and does wonders in cleaning the chain. I am using it and am mighty impressed by the way it cleans the chain. It was difficult to source (at least in my area)and that's the only problem. On the other hand it costs way less than these chain cleaners like Motul ,etc. And does the exact same job though in a more smelly way[emoji14] .

An advise:- In case if you are using kerosene wear latex gloves as its smell is a bit strong.

[Saurabh213]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Is it safe to use wd-40 or zorrik for cleaning a non o-ring type chain ?

[Ujjwal96]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Anyone here used 3m chain lube ?
A short review may help.
Buying a chain lube soon, which is stickier between 3m and tvs ??

Can't do a comparo between 3M and TVS chain as I haven't used 3M. I am using TVS chain lube from 1.5 years or so and its pretty good

1) It doesn't fling much just let it settle for couple of hours after applying. So its it shouldn't bother you after you apply it.

2) It holds up pretty well for around 500-600kms.

3) Its cheap considering its quality and quantity. Costs Rs385 for a can of 500ml. So its pretty satisfying.

[Saurabh213]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Anyone here used 3m chain lube ?
A short review may help.
Buying a chain lube soon, which is stickier between 3m and tvs ??

[Touseef Ahmed Mohammed]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Sorry forgot to mention it's the standard variant.
Front disc + rear drum.
Any words for tvs tru4 chain spray ??

Tvs tru4 is a good value for money product.
It does not attract much dirt.
It is not that expensive too!
You can go for it.

[Saurabh213]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

I hope your bike has a rear disc.
If it has, it is better you use a chain spray.
Because if the oil spills on the rear disc, it may have its effect on braking.

Sorry forgot to mention it's the standard variant.
Front disc + rear drum.
Any words for tvs tru4 chain spray ??

[Touseef Ahmed Mohammed]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Honda CB Hornet 160R.
The bike comes with 15/47T 428 pitch standard open Rolon chain.

I hope your bike has a rear disc.
If it has, it is better you use a chain spray.
Because if the oil spills on the rear disc, it may have its effect on braking.

[Saurabh213]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Yes it is viscous enough! If it was not, then how the chain would do so well?
But you may need to clean the chain once every 2 weeks as you ride in city.
Imagine 41K kms using gear oil for a chain is very good.
If i had the bike with me it would easily go for around 45K kms or even more.
I am not saying only to use gear oil, infact you can buy some other alternative chain sprays.
If you find Motul expensive, you can go with other alternative sprays or Gear oil.
By the way which bike you ride?

Honda CB Hornet 160R.
The bike comes with 15/47T 428 pitch standard open Rolon chain.

[Touseef Ahmed Mohammed]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Is gear oil viscous enough to stick to the chain.?
I ride my bike mostly in city at 60kmph on average. I was thinking to get the motul chain lube but it will be very expensive for me.

Yes it is viscous enough! If it was not, then how the chain would do so well?
But you may need to clean the chain once every 2 weeks as you ride in city.
Imagine 41K kms using gear oil for a chain is very good.
If i had the bike with me it would easily go for around 45K kms or even more.
I am not saying only to use gear oil, infact you can buy some other alternative chain sprays.
If you find Motul expensive, you can go with other alternative sprays or Gear oil.
By the way which bike you ride?

[Saurabh213]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

SAE 140 EP gear oil too goes well i must say.
Everytime when lubing was required, i lubed the chain with it.
Periodical cleaning, wiping & lubing.
I have run my Fzs 41,000 kms without any major issue (replaced the front sprocket at 30,000 kms) & i felt happy once when a mechanic asked me when my bike completed 40,000 kms and went for a service, that "is is a new chain kit??"
Later, i sold the bike with the same sprocket which was completely fine.
The excess oil used to spill on the rear rim, i used to use a cloth to wipe it off.

Is gear oil viscous enough to stick to the chain.?
I ride my bike mostly in city at 60kmph on average. I was thinking to get the motul chain lube but it will be very expensive for me.

[cep]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Hello all,
Went through this thread but got confused whether to use wd-40 or kerosene for cleaning the chain ?
Google searches suggest that kerosene is better than diesel and petrol but matter between kerosene and wd 40 is not clear ?

WD-40 seems to be a bit of a controversy when it comes to motorcycle chains.

I saw one R1 rider on youtube claiming that he used nothing but WD-40 to lube his chains after cleaning them with kerosene. He claims he has never had any problems. You can also see many people using WD-40 here.

I have read others saying that WD-40 harms the O-Rings, and stretches the chain. For example, PART II WD-40 O-ring exposure effect results | Adventure Rider. You can see in this test that kerosene fares better than WD-40.

I use kerosene because it's easily available and dirt-cheap. It smells terrible, though. But I put up with it