Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

[Zapps]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Clean with Kerosene/Diesel and brush. Wipe with cloth and let it dry for 10-30 mins.

Use oil if you want to keep giving oil twice weekly and don't care if the chain gets rust and dust.

If you do care about the chain, use grease (truck wheel bearings - 300-400/kg) and chain maintenance is reduced to 1-2 times a month.

My trusted neighbourhood mechanic has been cleaning chains and by using a kerosene spray or a kerosene bath for the last 30 years. After cleaning the chains his preferred mode of chain lubing is to use old engine oil with the long beaked applicator.

He says this is the best protection for chain in our riding conditions. When I showed him my RE chain cleaner and lubricant he said these have come now in the last ten years. But what would happen before that....When I quizzed him about bigger or imported bikes he said as long as the chain and sprocket manufacturing technology remains unchanged the cleaning and lubrication process also does not warrant a change.

Even Ryan after elaborate experimentation comes to a similar conclusion after all. I tend to agree with him. Have seen countless mechanics in our small towns who follow the above process. And sure as hell all our old bikes have run well without fancy chain cleaners and lubes.

Is it an elaborate marketing ploy after all?

[Chakrapani]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrEpAUi_QKA


This guy shows the effect various popular chain cleaners, including the popular Motul, kerosene and WD40, have on the O rings that are inside a chain. I cant verify these comments though, as I have used Motul for a very very long time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrEpAUi_QKA

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Sorry for the post above. I want to edit the link, but not happening somehow.

My trusted neighbourhood mechanic has been cleaning chains and by using a kerosene spray or a kerosene bath for the last 30 years. After cleaning the chains his preferred mode of chain lubing is to use old engine oil with the long beaked applicator.

He says this is the best protection for chain in our riding conditions. When I showed him my RE chain cleaner and lubricant he said these have come now in the last ten years. But what would happen before that....When I quizzed him about bigger or imported bikes he said as long as the chain and sprocket manufacturing technology remains unchanged the cleaning and lubrication process also does not warrant a change.

Even Ryan after elaborate experimentation comes to a similar conclusion after all. I tend to agree with him. Have seen countless mechanics in our small towns who follow the above process. And sure as hell all our old bikes have run well without fancy chain cleaners and lubes.

Is it an elaborate marketing ploy after all?

[enfro]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrEpAUi_QKA

This guy shows the effect various popular chain cleaners, including the popular Motul, kerosene and WD40, have on the O rings that are inside a chain. I cant verify these comments though, as I have used Motul for a very very long time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrEpAUi_QKA

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Sorry for the post above. I want to edit the link, but not happening somehow.

[yashasvi]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

I went to TVS showroom today to by 500ml spray, they said it costs Rs. 450/- and there was no discount. In this case I think motul is better cost wise.

Motul is far better than other sprays, get it from amzon you might get a good discount if you are lucky. And don't buy the cleaner, use diesel instead

[abkiran]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

You will get a spray can of 500 ml for 333 Rs/ at any tvs service center. To buy TVS chain lube spray you need to buy it from a tvsvservice center.

Wd40 is good to use for cleaning because you are not going to keep it on your chain applied for a long time so in my openion it will not harm o rings. You can also use kerosene. I am using kerosene till now.

Sent from my GT-P3100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

I went to TVS showroom today to by 500ml spray, they said it costs Rs. 450/- and there was no discount. In this case I think motul is better cost wise.

[kaushik12041985]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Cleaning chain using kerosene

https://youtu.be/jV7QVz9Q3TA

[rideon74]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

To add onto the points being shared here, this video might be of help.

https://youtu.be/7H5hgVbTvhg

[The Mountain]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Are you using chain wax ? Is there any noticable performance difference ?

My current bike is shaft-drive, so I don't have to deal with chains. That said, there isn't really a noticeable performance difference. The difference really comes from the way the two products work. Wax is much lighter and thinner, and doesn't attract dirt and grime. Chain lube is much stickier and messier, so there's more to clean off before re-lubing (though the chain should always be cleaned prior to re-lubrication regardless). On an O-ring chain, either will be fine, because the actual chain bearings are already lubricated and all you're doing is adding corrosion protection and keeping dirt out of the links. On a non-O-ring, you have to use chain lube, not wax. Wax is too thin and can't withstand the pressure and heat inside the link bearing surfaces. The chain would dry out, overheat, and wear out far too soon.

Now that I think about it more:

If you have an O-ring chain, in India, you should probably use chain wax (if you can get it) during the dry season to keep the chain from accumulating dust/dirt, and sticky chain lube during the monsoon to better keep moisture and mud out of the chain. Further, if you ride in the rain a lot, you should clean and lube more often, maybe even every couple of weeks. Some guys here in the US clean and lube almost weekly if they do a lot of wet riding. Larger, more powerful bikes need more attention on the chain, as they put more strain on it, so if you have a 650 or larger, or maybe a 500 Enfield, you should consider shortening your chain maintenance interval.

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For open chain

VFM chain cleaner is diesel. max 70 rs per liter.
VFM chain lube is any gear oil sae 90 or 140. again max 300 rs per liter.

Don't fall for fancy cleaner or lube.

Proper chain lube will work better even for a non-O-ring chain. Because it's sticky, it won't fling off the chain while riding and get all over your bike and your leg, and it's formulated to stay on the chain even when hot. Gear oil will thin out as it heats up and may not provide consistent lubrication because there's nothing to keep it on the chain. You are correct about using diesel (or kerosene) for cleaning.

[bikersdream]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

For open chain

VFM chain cleaner is diesel. max 70 rs per liter.
VFM chain lube is any gear oil sae 90 or 140. again max 300 rs per liter.

Don't fall for fancy cleaner or lube.

[Riyas]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

There are a couple of variables: One, does your bike have an exposed chain, or is it covered? Second, does your bike have an O-ring chain or a regular chain?

A chain that's covered would need cleaning and lubricating about half as often as an exposed chain. The one thing those covers don't help with is moisture. They'll actually trap moisture in with the chain, and can promote rust. If you're using a good, sticky chain lube, that should help with the moisture problem.

For exposed chains: if the chain is a standard (not O-ring) chain, you should be cleaning and lubing at least once a week in a dusty environment. For O-ring chains, you can probably extend that to once a month. If you can get your hands on chain wax rather than the usual sticky chain lube, you could possibly extend that to a month and a half or two months (chain wax doesn't hold the dirt like the sticky lubes do).

Remember to also check your chain regularly for wear/stretch, and keep the tension properly set. A loose chain that gets dirty is even more likely to develop seized links and cause damage. Also, regularly check your sprockets (front and rear) for wear. A friend long ago had a worn, dirty chain and worn sprockets; the chain ended up wrapping around the drive sprocket and tore the side of his engine case off. The drive sprocket is particularly sensitive to wear since it's so small. If you have to choose between replacing the rear or the front, do the front first. A worn rear sprocket is less likely to cause problems.


Edited to add: for cleaning, if you have a non-O-ring chain, you can get away with using kerosene as the cleaning agent. With O-ring chains, use O-ring cleaner so you don't risk damaging the O-rings (some rings are affected by kerosene and some aren't; better not to risk it). Likewise with lube, the non-O-ring chains can (in a pinch) be lubed with regular oil, though it will wear off quicker. Chain lube won't come off as quickly. In both cases, when cleaning, don't just spray the cleaning agent on there; have a soft brush handy so you can clean down between the link plates. If you can find one, there are chain cleaners available, that you clamp around the chain. They have brushes that the chain passes through so it gets bathed in cleaner and brushed on all sides.

Are you using chain wax ? Is there any noticable performance difference ?

[Riyas]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

My bike's chain was lubricated at first service by the service center guys. It lasted for more than 800 kms. Then a small chilling noise started coming from the chain. This time i did it myself, cleaned the chain with motul C1 chain cleaner and a tooth brush. It was like new (half bottle gone). Then i lubed it with motul C2 chain lube. It is very glossy and sticky, as "The mountain" said. (Small dust particles does stay in the outer chain looking it dirty, but a close look makes me very comfortable, because the chain rings, sprocket, all look wet) It has ran 500 kms after lubrication. It doesn't produce noise, runs smoothly, and is wet. Don't how long it stays.

[The Mountain]

Re: Chain cleaning & lube

Hi all,


What is the ideal frequency of cleaning & lubing of chain if one live in dusty areas?


Regards,


Ritabroto

There are a couple of variables: One, does your bike have an exposed chain, or is it covered? Second, does your bike have an O-ring chain or a regular chain?

A chain that's covered would need cleaning and lubricating about half as often as an exposed chain. The one thing those covers don't help with is moisture. They'll actually trap moisture in with the chain, and can promote rust. If you're using a good, sticky chain lube, that should help with the moisture problem.

For exposed chains: if the chain is a standard (not O-ring) chain, you should be cleaning and lubing at least once a week in a dusty environment. For O-ring chains, you can probably extend that to once a month. If you can get your hands on chain wax rather than the usual sticky chain lube, you could possibly extend that to a month and a half or two months (chain wax doesn't hold the dirt like the sticky lubes do).

Remember to also check your chain regularly for wear/stretch, and keep the tension properly set. A loose chain that gets dirty is even more likely to develop seized links and cause damage. Also, regularly check your sprockets (front and rear) for wear. A friend long ago had a worn, dirty chain and worn sprockets; the chain ended up wrapping around the drive sprocket and tore the side of his engine case off. The drive sprocket is particularly sensitive to wear since it's so small. If you have to choose between replacing the rear or the front, do the front first. A worn rear sprocket is less likely to cause problems.


Edited to add: for cleaning, if you have a non-O-ring chain, you can get away with using kerosene as the cleaning agent. With O-ring chains, use O-ring cleaner so you don't risk damaging the O-rings (some rings are affected by kerosene and some aren't; better not to risk it). Likewise with lube, the non-O-ring chains can (in a pinch) be lubed with regular oil, though it will wear off quicker. Chain lube won't come off as quickly. In both cases, when cleaning, don't just spray the cleaning agent on there; have a soft brush handy so you can clean down between the link plates. If you can find one, there are chain cleaners available, that you clamp around the chain. They have brushes that the chain passes through so it gets bathed in cleaner and brushed on all sides.

[Ritabroto]

Chain cleaning & lube

Hi all,


What is the ideal frequency of cleaning & lubing of chain if one live in dusty areas?


Regards,


Ritabroto

[wingrider007]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Hey there is deal right now on Amazon India , Motul chain clean 400 ml and lube 400 ml is going for 495 rs , not 900 rs their regular price , bought for myself .check out

[wingrider007]

Re: Bike O-Ring Chain - Cleaning & Lubrication

Cleaned and lubed my chain today , was very mucky .Used motul clean n lube spray.
Any idea how is Royal Enfield’s own chain clean and lube spray ? It cost 600rs for 2 can of cleaner and 1 lube.is cheaper I guess than motul but not much.
should I stay on motul or go with them ? I own classic 350