Engine Oils

[B7ACKTHORN]

This is the traditional method for non o-ring chains only . The chain is taken off the bike (which is some exercise for the old bullets) and cleaned well in kerosene . They drop the whole chain in a small plastic jerrycan half full of kero and slosh it around . Then pick it up with a cycle spoke hooked at one end and hang it to dry . Then they place a shallow pan with the chain in it on an electric heater . As the chain starts to give off kerosene fumes , they lump some grease on it . Cheap grease . Then add more and more grease as it melts to cover the chain . The heat is controlled by periodically removing the pan from the heater , as the molten grease is very flamable too . The heat is kept on until no more air bubbles comes out of the chain in the molten grease . Which means that the grease has really penetrated the pins & sleeving bush deep into the chain and there is no more trapped air gaps inside it . Then heater is turned off and chain is fished out again with that same spoke-hook and excess grease allowed to drip back into the pan . It is then hung to cool off and mounted back on to the bike and slack adjusted . You are not supposed to clean or lube this chain ever again so that the grease now trapped inside may not be driven out . That is untill the next time .
Putoline chain wax is a similar product where you can place the can directly on heat and the chain soak in it . The can is designed to hold the whole chain and the remaining used grease(it's a hard grease,not really an wax) for the next time . I've only heard about this .

And while going through your post, I was pondering on this flammable issue, and you've pointed out right. And thanks so much for the info. Now the big question, does it really work? Plus if you can let us know the interval to repeat the same process? In other words, for how long does this really stick to the chain in KMS

What grease works for this process? Once I heated Multi Purpose Grease on the stove and all I got was fumes from the pan and also from my mother.

I think Pinaki clearly mentioned, they used normal (cheap) grease for the purpose. But it's all in the heating and stuff, I guess. On a lighter note, that bolded part, made me convulse real good.

Cheers!
VJ

[Pinaki]

Frankly , I have no idea .. I have only heard about it from the guys that frequents a local bullet specialist mechanics garage and the mechanic himself . Mechanic himself is not very forthcoming about these details , he said he can do it for any of my bikes for Rs 150 and the cost of the grease kerosene etc stuff . Have to leave bike at his garage overnight .
But looking here on the inter-net , Servo ( Indian Oil ) do list such a chain-grease on their product list and also gives the same procedure for it's use . If it's really available now - I dunno . You can download the doc file and read it ...

http://www.iocl.com/downloads/ilf/ChainGrease.doc

it is listed on it's "Industrial greases" page here - http://www.iocl.com/Products/IndustrialGreases.aspx

[B7ACKTHORN]

Frankly , I have no idea .. I have only heard about it from the guys that frequents a local bullet specialist mechanics garage and the mechanic himself . Mechanic himself is not very forthcoming about these details , he said he can do it for any of my bikes for Rs 150 and the cost of the grease kerosene etc stuff . Have to leave bike at his garage overnight .
But looking here on the inter-net , Servo ( Indian Oil ) do list such a chain-grease on their product list and also gives the same procedure for it's use . If it's really available now - I dunno . You can download the doc file and read it ...

http://www.iocl.com/downloads/ilf/ChainGrease.doc

it is listed on it's "Industrial greases" page here - Industrial Greases : Indian Oil

Helpful. I just wanted to see this process in person and the longevity of the chains with respect this process. Maybe this gonna open up some DIY windows, let's see.

Cheers!
VJ

[Honda_CBF]

A bulletier friend of me is still using his 57k kms old chain (of course he has got few links removed for adjustments) which gets 'cooked in grease' every 6 months..

[B7ACKTHORN]

A bulletier friend of me is still using his 57k kms old chain (of course he has got few links removed for adjustments) which gets 'cooked in grease' every 6 months..

I see, so it's time to get some get my hands dirty then. Let me post my reviews. One of my bike needs a sprocket change, so let me do this and see.

Cheers!
VJ

[muztariq]

A bulletier friend of me is still using his 57k kms old chain (of course he has got few links removed for adjustments) which gets 'cooked in grease' every 6 months..

Ask him to change the chain set now. The moment the chain becomes so loose that the chain cant be further adjusted and to ride if you need to remove the links.. Change the Chainset immediately.

My splendor got only one chainset change (if i remember correctly) in the lakh kms it did. 2-3 month chain lubrication from the mechanic was sufficient. One link was removed by the mechanic and I thought it was normal. Until I joined xbhp and realised that removing links from the chain is dangerous.

Out of the discussions I had on Fz forum on chain lubrication 8-9 months back - the important finding was this - Dan's Motorcycle "The Rear Chain"

Its a great site (Not the modern eye catchy sites you see).. Reading it word by word gives you an insight about what lubes to use.. what interval to keep.. what oil to use.. how to identify chain's life. etc etc.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Ask him to change the chain set now. The moment the chain becomes so loose that the chain cant be further adjusted and to ride if you need to remove the links.. Change the Chainset immediately.

My splendor got only one chainset change (if i remember correctly) in the lakh kms it did. 2-3 month chain lubrication from the mechanic was sufficient. One link was removed by the mechanic and I thought it was normal. Until I joined xbhp and realised that removing links from the chain is dangerous.

Out of the discussions I had on Fz forum on chain lubrication 8-9 months back - the important finding was this - Dan's Motorcycle "The Rear Chain"

Its a great site (Not the modern eye catchy sites you see).. Reading it word by word gives you an insight about what lubes to use.. what interval to keep.. what oil to use.. how to identify chain's life. etc etc.

This is what I like about these self-proclaimed websites, it's clear, easy to use, understandable and fun! Plus having read quite of few like these sites, it's a good idea to spread some info-sites like these.

+1 personally!

Cheers!
VJ

[raja_roadster]

The new uni has an oil specification 10w30 but most mechanics suggest for 20w40 is it advisable to use 20w40

[B7ACKTHORN]

The new uni has an oil specification 10w30 but most mechanics suggest for 20w40 is it advisable to use 20w40

Absolutely it can be used. Though it's twice the recommended grade, it can be used without any problem, whatsoever. If fact I remember using a 15w50 where I was supposed to use 20w40.

Cheers!
VJ

[Pinaki]

The new uni has an oil specification 10w30 but most mechanics suggest for 20w40 is it advisable to use 20w40

hot conditions .

[Ash_win]

I paid Rs40 (per 500ml can) for that gear oil. Using it for the only reason i.e. Its cheap. It sticks like gum, attracts lots of dust. But i mix this gear oil with used engine oil for chain which makes it something like 100-120 grade oil.. Works pretty ok. I know used engine oil, some spurious gear oil etc can make my chain life short but chain's already almost gone. So I'm saving some 'vitamin M' by all this, along with some care towards bike..Btw, EP90 is best bet for chains, IMO.

So what do you guys suggest for lubing an ordinary chain ( not the o ring ones). I clean it with diesel, use Tru spray and grease to lube. Chain is a bit noisy now. I guess its loose.

[B7ACKTHORN]

So what do you guys suggest for lubing an ordinary chain ( not the o ring ones). I clean it with diesel, use Tru spray and grease to lube. Chain is a bit noisy now. I guess its loose.

Yes it's a good idea, I don't see anything wrong in that. If it's loose, get it tightened to the right slackness.

Cheers!
VJ

[Honda_CBF]

@Vj, will be waiting for the update on DIY. @muztariq, told him to change the chain set, not once but numerous times but he ain't paying me any heed . (god forbids) if his chain brakes on him I'll be saying 'told ya'. Btw, me too running with 2 links removed.. Also, that 'Dan's motorcycles' site is just awesome.. Been there before too.@ ashwin, you are already doing your bit. But if you want to try out something new then try that 'cleaning & then cooking in grease' thingy mentioned by pinaki..

[Ash_win]

= @ ashwin, you are already doing your bit. But if you want to try out something new then try that 'cleaning & then cooking in grease' thingy mentioned by pinaki..

I'd like to see it first on the DIY section. I'm scared of removing the chain from the sprockets. (newbie)

[Honda_CBF]

Its easy job Ashwin. But its always better being armed with knowledge.. As you want to be. Btw, you can also ask your mechanic to do it. If its urgent.