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General => Bike Chat => Topic started by: Phill P on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 02:29 AM

Title: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Phill P on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 02:29 AM
Going to halfords to get some bike oil, will get some chain lube too, any recommendations.

Cheers Paul
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: hard road on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:15 AM
Quote from: Phill P on Thursday, 05 October  2023, 02:29 AMGoing to halfords to get some bike oil, will get some chain lube too, any recommendations.

Cheers Paul

I always use engine oil. Just not too much
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Phill P on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:20 AM
Mmm never ever thought of that.

Cheers Paul
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: BanditsHigh on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:36 AM
Quote from: hard road on Thursday, 05 October  2023, 03:15 AMI always use engine oil. Just not too much

Quote from: Phill P on Thursday, 05 October  2023, 03:20 AMMmm never ever thought of that.

Along the same lines as using a Scottoiler, just maybe not so environmentally friendly!

It won't stay on the chain as long as sticky chain lube, but also doesn't attract the grit and start to act like a grinding paste.

This looks like quite an in-depth test ...

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/products/motorcycle-maintenance-and-servicing/best-motorcycle-chain-lube

All the best ... Barry

P.S. Reviewer seemed to be quite taken with XCP PROFESSIONAL CHAIN LUBE and it's available at Halfords (near end of article) ... I think I'll get a can myself.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Andre on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:39 AM
Tried a bunch of stuff.

Best solution for me: Thin film of Hypoid Gear Oil (GL5) SAE 85W-90 from Liqui Moly. First clean with kerosene (let it dry off before applying any oil). Good clean is the most important imo. Toothbrush works great for both.

Based on @grog recommendation. Can't get the gear oil he uses here. I am sure he will chime in.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: seth on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:52 AM
Any good chainlub is good just remember to clean it off and re-apply regularly.
Im currently using the chain monkey stuff for both lub and cleaning in the past ive used wd40 stuff all depends whats got the best deal at the time .
Mostly from Halfords .
I get 18-20k miles from my chain and sprocket kits .
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Speedy1959 on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 02:58 PM
I have used this for several years now on various bikes.
I apply After a ride when the chain is warmer..
I never get any onj the rear wheel, though it does "annoint" the side stand..
1 litre lasts me well over a year.. Keep in mind I do over 10k a year so its used a lot!
I dispense some into a very small bucket and apply with a brush whilst rotating the wheel.

https://tinyurl.com/2w3ustcz

S
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: VladTepes on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 03:27 PM
Yeah I use gear oil per a post by @grog and it works a treat!
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: grog on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 05:42 PM
VMX80 Castrol is excellent choice. Not a fan of any spray chain lubes. Clean chain is so important, wd40 and a rag for me.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Hooli on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 06:33 PM
Gear oil is what the handbook says.

I stick with Scottoilers for lack of hassle but they are bit messy for some at times. Mine wasn't too bad till the chain guard fell off & since then it'd flicked oil over the bodywork & shock above the chain. I really should fix the chain guard.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: grog on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 06:59 PM
Hand book is correct, VMX doesnt stink,why i use it, others do, pull up, smells like a dirty old gearbox rebuild. Had enough of them.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Mick_J on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 07:24 PM
I use gearbox oil, it's what most of the chain manufacturers recommend.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: GSXKING on Thursday, 05 October 2023, 07:59 PM
My chain guard & the aftermarket one I replaced it with both broke, so I use Motul road bike chain lube it goes on white so you know where you've sprayed. I do it when chain is still warm so it penetrates the o-rings then dries overnight so there is no fling. 👍
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Phill P on Friday, 06 October 2023, 02:24 AM
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, certainly food for thought. I did have a scotoiler on my xjr which wasn't bad but the nibs at the end often got chewed
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Will14 on Friday, 06 October 2023, 06:27 AM
I always used EP90 gear oil until fitting a scottoiler, recently I have disconnected the oiler and have gone back to the gear oil. Nothing wrong with the scottoiler other than the residue being thrown onto the rear wheel and underside of the chain guard, despite it being on a minimal setting

I have the gear oil in a small pop bottle and have drilled a 5 or 6mm hole in the lid, makes it very easy to apply with the bike up on a paddock stand, ticking over in first gear, usually try to apply after a ride when the chain is warm so it gets into the links better

Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Hooli on Friday, 06 October 2023, 06:56 AM
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 06 October  2023, 02:24 AMThanks for the suggestions everyone, certainly food for thought. I did have a scotoiler on my xjr which wasn't bad but the nibs at the end often got chewed

Fitted wrong then, the end should be 1/8" or so clear of the chain so it doesn't catch. They can brush against the sprocket but as that's smooth it doesn't do anything to them. It took me a while to get the hang of fitting them so the tip was close enough to do it's job but not close enough to get damaged.
On my Hornet I adapted one of the mounts for a Ducati single sider (I think, there's a few in the box) so I could fit it to the underside of the swing arm & support the delivery tube correctly. On the 14 I've got a stiff plastic pipe that the delivery tube runs inside down to the sprocket & that does the same job.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Phill P on Friday, 06 October 2023, 04:47 PM
Quote from: Hooli on Friday, 06 October  2023, 06:56 AM
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 06 October  2023, 02:24 AMThanks for the suggestions everyone, certainly food for thought. I did have a scotoiler on my xjr which wasn't bad but the nibs at the end often got chewed

Fitted wrong then, the end should be 1/8" or so clear of the chain so it doesn't catch. They can brush against the sprocket but as that's smooth it doesn't do anything to them. It took me a while to get the hang of fitting them so the tip was close enough to do it's job but not close enough to get damaged.
On my Hornet I adapted one of the mounts for a Ducati single sider (I think, there's a few in the box) so I could fit it to the underside of the swing arm & support the delivery tube correctly. On the 14 I've got a stiff plastic pipe that the delivery tube runs inside down to the sprocket & that does the same job.

Chewed when reversing as it would sometimes fold back on itself
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 12:36 AM
WD40 works fine as a chain lube provided you apply it every morning. I would warm the bike on the centrestand which would rotate the back wheel slowly in neutral and give a light spray over rollers and pins. Managed 80k/km on the original Chain & Sprockets, both within service limits when replaced.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: BanditsHigh on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 01:52 AM
Quote from: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 12:36 AMWD40 works fine as a chain lube provided you apply it every morning ...

I take it you are referring to WD40 chain lube and not just WD40!!

All the best ... Barry
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 02:25 AM
Quote from: BanditsHigh on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 01:52 AM
Quote from: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 12:36 AMWD40 works fine as a chain lube provided you apply it every morning ...

I take it you are referring to WD40 chain lube and not just WD40!!

All the best ... Barry

No I mean regular WD40 available at your local supermarket. O-ring chains require minimal lubricant and regular cleaning which WD40 does. Anti fling chain lube attracts contaminates that quickly turns into a grinding paste if not cleaned off.
Standard chains do require a proper lubricant.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: BanditsHigh on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 02:43 AM
Quote from: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 02:25 AMNo I mean regular WD40 available at your local supermarket. O-ring chains require minimal lubricant and regular cleaning which WD40 does. Anti fling chain lube attracts contaminates that quickly turns into a grinding paste if not cleaned off.
Standard chains do require a proper lubricant.

WD40 isn't a lubricant meant for chains, it's a water displacement and anti-corrosion liquid, it would dissovle the grease between the pins and links of the chain!

I really don't know how you've managed to get that sort of mileage from a chain ... unless it's such a light spray that it's not penetrating beyond the o-rings!

All the best ... Barry
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: marty6187 on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 07:47 AM
My son has raced motocross at expert level for the last 14 years and all we have ever used to lube the chain on 250 2-stoke, 350 & 450 4-stroke moto-cross bikes is WD40 or GT85 and never had a problem with chain wear..... 
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 08:51 AM
Quote from: BanditsHigh on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 02:43 AM
Quote from: Batkwaka on Saturday, 07 October  2023, 02:25 AMNo I mean regular WD40 available at your local supermarket. O-ring chains require minimal lubricant and regular cleaning which WD40 does. Anti fling chain lube attracts contaminates that quickly turns into a grinding paste if not cleaned off.
Standard chains do require a proper lubricant.

WD40 isn't a lubricant meant for chains, it's a water displacement and anti-corrosion liquid, it would dissovle the grease between the pins and links of the chain!

I really don't know how you've managed to get that sort of mileage from a chain ... unless it's such a light spray that it's not penetrating beyond the o-rings!

All the best ... Barry

WD40 destroying o-rings is a fallacy and the o-rings do keep the internal grease sealed in place. The ZZR1100 I had did 80k/km, 70k/km & 65k/km respectively on three sets of chain & sprockets from 1998-2006 using only WD40.
Most bike shops will tell you you cannot use WD40 mainly because they have very expensive lubricants they would prefer you buy.
Title: Re: Chain lube,recommendation
Post by: grog on Saturday, 07 October 2023, 09:07 AM
Cant argue with results Batty :onya: