chain lubrication for the beginner!

hello again,
I'm new to motorcycles but i know keeping the chain and sprockets lubricated is crucial, especially since i just got the new chain and sprockets. What's a good brand of lube? The shop by my house only has spray lubricant, is that the only way it comes? and if not, which medium is better? also, what's a good procedure for thoroughly lubricating the chain? thanks, tex

 

lube it when looks shiney bel-ray

 

thorough instructions, thanks! i like to do it good if im gonna do it... i'll stop by the honda shop tomorrow and grab some honda spray spray. As for cleaning, kerosene wont mess with the rubber in the chain right?

 

I use Bel-Ray chain lube...it works well to me and there's no throw-off. Plus, it goes on "white" so you can see what part of the chain you've hit. I think that's a plus...

 

2 things :

1 - Lube the chain when it is warm - allows the lube to penetrate more.
2 - Get a scottoiler and ignore #1 above.

 

Follow this link to the easy method...

http://vfrworld.com/forums/maintenance/13870-chain-waxing-made-easy-101-a.html

I do just about the same thing as mello dude, except I don't waste my lube spraying 5-8 links at a time. Put the bike on the center stand when you come back from a ride. Leave it running and then put it in first gear. Let the motor rotate the chain for you. You can still put the cardboard behind the chain in front of the swingarm and spray. I prefer chain wax. It cleans as you buff it off and stays on a long time. I usually wax once a week cause I ride everyday. It sprays on golden so you know you have coverage. Just check out my link above... so damn easy... after you spray, shift to neutral and turn off the bike. Then get a mechanic's rag and buff the chain of excess wax or lube. It still adheres to the chain. Don't believe me, then run a finger on it when you're done buffing. Don't leave your chain 'golden' with chain wax, or 'white' with BelRay... buff it off clear. If you don't your chain will get dirty FAST! The above link also includes another link for pics of what I am talking about.

Stan

 

Something else to check : after LUBE most chaIns fling off some excess, so watch for shiny film on left side of your rear TIRE
and wipe it with a clean rag (your girlfriend's cotton panties work fine) if you see lube there
or you could have a scary moment in a left turn.........

 

old paint brush and K-1 Kero makes cleaning easy. not spray going everywhere from the WD-40. Steal a cookie sheet from the wife. put the cardboard in it to catch the petro-chemicals from the cleaning/lubing. burn the card board in the cookie sheet afterwards. (Beavis & Butthead : ha.. he he.. ha... fire.... hea ha fire, yeah... Firre)

 

I just finished cleaning and lubing the chain. Thanks for the instructions.

 

A good friend of mine was cleaning and oiling his chain with the engine turning the rear wheel for him. It was fine until he lost his concentration for a moment and it grabbed his big-ol' thumb. The engine shut down when his left thumb was about 50% around the rear sprocket. He had to reach over with his right hand to get the bike in neutral so he could reverse the wheel, and rotate his thumb back the way it came.....

Do it under power if you want, but I don't think I'll join you.

No, it won't happen to you...you're more careful, and smarter....right? Famous last words. Think about it.


Lane

 

This may be a silly question, but is it really so difficult to lube a chain with out injuring one's self that directions are necessary?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

if your talking to the guy with a sprocket for a thumb now....then YES.

 

Funny you should mention that. I did exactly the same thing about 30 years ago. Very painful. I also had to reach over to snick it into neutral to untrap my stupid self. After a trip to the hospital to stitch and about 6 weeks, I was as good as new.

 

Noz, You're slipping BIG TIME!!! Post #10 mentions both panties and lube!!! I can think of at least 4,238 replies to that, but not even one from you??? Com'on, I know you have a witty response ready. Let's hear it.

 

a friend of mine lost the end of a finger lubing the chain on a VFR...
The older I get, the more I realize what can happen in about 1 second of dumb...