Chain lube

[forusenet]

Read somewhere chains with O rings require special lube. Here is what I used once and plan on using again today. Is it good enough?

2010 Shadow RS

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by forusenet

A) Read somewhere chains with O rings require special lube.

B) Here is what I used once and plan on using again today. Is it good enough?

A) Wrong. Plain 90W or most any chain lube is OK.

B) Yes.

Where did you read that ??

The purpose of chain lube is for the sprockets and rollers on the chain.
It is NOT for the pins and O-ring seals......as they take care of themselves with the grease INSIDE the seals.

[forusenet]

Not sure where i read that, it has to be somewhere here in this forum since this is my sole source of information on this topic. Thanks for your answers.

[forusenet]

I found that reference and it was not this forum.

Motorcyclist: Why do O-ring and non-O-ring chains need different lubes?
P.J. Harvey: Mostly because none of the commercial lubricants available on the market should penetrate the O-ring. If you eliminate the need to develop [a lubricant that provides]--I call it a cushion--between the pin, bushing and roller of each link, you can make the chain lube a little different. For example, make it more tacky and more adhesive [for O-ring chains]. And that's the main reason we came out with the different chain lubes.

Read more: How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by forusenet

I found that reference and it was not this forum.

But it WAS a self-serving statement made by a chain lube manufacturer.

There are two things that you can always believe:

Anything you see on the Internet
AND
Any marketing claim made by a big company.



You do have to be a little careful about what you use to CLEAN an O-ring chain though......as some harsh solvents can do bad things to the rings.
I solve the problem easily though; I never clean mine.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by forusenet

Read somewhere chains with O rings require special lube. Here is what I used once and plan on using again today. Is it good enough?

2010 Shadow RS

Stay away from using oil as a chain lube on your o-ring chain..... in fact, stay away from any lube other than BelRay "SuperClean."

I've been using it for nearly 20-years, and it is by "an extreme long shot" the best chain lube on the market!

Super Clean Chain Lube | Bel-Ray Company, Inc

Phil

[vito]

Originally Posted by BrightRedVLX

A) Wrong. Plain 90W or most any chain lube is OK.

B) Yes.

Where did you read that ??

The purpose of chain lube is for the sprockets and rollers on the chain.
It is NOT for the pins and O-ring seals......as they take care of themselves with the grease INSIDE the seals.

I think the op is referring to what to use when cleaning the chain....certain solvents can degrade the o rings.

However.....there are O ring specific lubes on the market for several reasons. One is to preserve the o ring (additives in the lube), another is the lube does not and should not penetrate the o ring, third is the o ring specific lube can be more sticky / tacky and more resistant to being thrown off at speed.

Different type of chain......different type of lube.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by vito

I think the op is referring to what to use when cleaning the chain....certain solvents can degrade the o rings.

I use 90W oil to clean my chain........... lightly soak an old rag and wipe down the the whole chain. Then I top it off with a very light coat of BelRay SuperClean.

Some people make way too much out of chain maintenance.
Phil

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by Phil

Stay away from using oil as a chain lube on your o-ring chain.....

Funny, that's not what Honda says.
And it has worked fine for me for a LOT of years.

Can't comment on the stuff you recommended; it might be "better".
Almost anything is less messy......even if you are real careful not to put on too much oil.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by BrightRedVLX

Funny, that's not what Honda says.
And it has worked fine for me for a LOT of years.

Can't comment on the stuff you recommended; it might be "better".
Almost anything is less messy......even if you are real careful not to put on too much oil.

Oil is okay..... (I don't know why Honda doesn't recommend a modern chain lube)

The problem with oil is that it doesn't last long, especially when riding in the rain; plus it flings all over and makes a mess. Modern chain lubes (like the BelRay brand) allow you to spend more time riding, less time lubing and less time cleaning "fling" off your fenders.

If you don't mind pushing your bike around the driveway every 500 miles to oil the chain, then by all means; stick with the oil. If you're like me, and you'd rather ride than oil, then try the BelRay SuperClean.
Phil