Chain maintenance

So I thought I had this chain maintenance figured out, but a fellow rider has made me question what is correct...

I was told to use "wax based" lube and use it every 5 significant rides or so. About every other application clean the chain before luring.

Recently, a fellow rider stated that using such and applying it often would help collect dirt and other unwanted particles on the chain (thus compromising it). He claimed simply cleaning it every so often (he didn't give a timeframe) is best and that the o-rings don't need much lube at all.

I've had problems with a chain in the past and his statements have made me question my practices and the help/harm they may be doing.

And these cleanings and luring all refer to the sprockets as well (at least the rear?)...

 

Don't really know what the guy is talking about. He may have it half right only. Yes the O-rings keep the grease in and contaminates (water) out. Spraying your chain with a petrol lube will collect a lot more dirt/grime partials than anything else and keep them on the chain. Besides glue

The wax base,Dupont Chain Saver, will shed most of the dirt. It acts like bottom paint on racing boats. Once a build up starts a micro layer comes off and takes the dirt with it. Basically. Which petrol lube doesn't. Yes you want to clean your chain every so often. NOT with a petrol cleaner like kereosine or like because it will seep past the O-rings and kill the internal grease eventually.

One main thing you need is a coating between the rollers and the sprocket surface where they meet. The wax will make a very good separator between the two and hold up good. Just as good as anything else. You only need a micro layer to be effective. Other wise you have metal to metal rubbing and it will wear big time.

You have it right, he has it half right. There is a lot of mis info out there being passed around by people that only hear somtin or was told wrong and believe it.

So how has your chain held up so far? Is it working fine? If so then why question it to the point of thinking on changing. Seeing is believing.

 

My chain thus far:
I just got my VFR a few days ago and no problems. He put new chain on sprockets on about 7k miles ago. It looks clean and the tension seems fine.

Previously, I had a ninja where I serviced it as above and the chain once fell off the sprocket at a slow speed. Come to find out the front sprocket was bad and the chain seemed to have some rollers that gave out? (Chain ranged from very tight to very loose). Also, the alignment was slightly off as well.

My worries are likely just being too cautious following the above incident.

Thank you for dispelling these odd remarks.

 

My routine: a wipedown of the whole chain and sprockets with a rag dampened in kerosene, a few minutes to dry, then lubricate chain and wipe off excess. Repeat every second tank fill-up. It prevents a lot of gunk buildup when done regularly, avoiding the need for scrubbing with a brush.

I'm currently using Motul chain lube (the clear one), but have used Bel-Ray Super Clean, Maxima, Shell Advance, etc etc. Usually just whatever I can buy at the time.

 

Though I have never used one, the scott roller like tink mentioned above reads like it is the answer to keeping your chain lubed. I was seriously thinking about installing one on my bike, but I really tired of all the cleaning of oil fling off my bike with the amount of riding I used to do. I went to the DuPont Chain saver a couple years ago and love the stuff. I lube warm about ever 500 mile or so. Clean the chain with Chain cleaner when needed and hose the chain off after and re-lube when it is dry.

I don't think the cleaning of the chain with chain cleaner or kerosene will seep past your o or x rings and compromise the factory installed grease. The o rings should keep it out of there. But don't let anyone convince you that you do not need to lube your chain. As mentioned above it puts a layer of lube between the rollers and the sprockets, and it also lubes the outside edges of the o rings which are constantly rubbing on the links.

My method has been giving me about 25 K miles out of a chain and sprocket ridden in all sorts of shit rain and winter grit.

 

Ben, don't make too many judgements based upon that Ninja chain as it was worn out and overdue for replacement !

Remember that any chain tension adjustments should be done so that tension is correct at the tightest spot on the chain !!!