Chain Waxing Made Easy - 101

First, go the the local store for smokes or a soda to warm up the chain. When I get home I leave the engine running, put my bike on it's centerstand and engage it in first gear to keep the chain hot, go inside to get my wax, rag, and piece of cardboard. I place the piece of cardboard behind the chain at the area in front of the swingarm. I spray the chain while the wheel spins in gear for about 15 seconds, on the front of the links and over the top of the chain. I then put the bike in neutral and kill the motor. Then I buff the chain in the same place with a mehanic's rag, pulling the chain along as I go. I also buff the chain at the rear sprocket and turn the sprocket as I buff. Here's a link to my pics for those interested. It takes me all of less than two minutes to do. I do it at least once a week, since I ride everyday, rain or shine.

Here's my pic link:

http://vfrworld.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/7014

It's just too :censored: easy people, and no reason for you to have a dirty chain. Chain wax cleans and lubes as you buff. Chain wax lasts about 5 times longer than any other lube out there.

 

thanks for the info wabbit... i use the same stuff, how the hell do ya keep that chain so clean! i must be lazy ...my excuse is a clean chain is a sign of a sick mind LOL

 

Insider -

Believe me, I AM lazy! At first I was just putting the bike on its center stand and spraying the chain from behind, but that coated the rear hub with wax and was messy. I finally cleaned it all good with a heavy dousing of WD-40 and then I did the aforementioned waxing... Once I got the chain de-gunked with WD-40 the chain itself was pretty clean. Buffing off the wax only cleaned it better. Once a week I just spray on the wax and buff. I no longer use WD-40 since the chain actually doesn't get dirty between waxings. It really DOES only take 15 seconds to spray and about a minute to buff lightly off.

Now my WHEELS... they're another story! I am glad they are that titanium color cause they hide dirt SO DAMN good! *lol* I have yet to actually wash and wax my bike. I've owned it for about 7 months now. I ride everyday and the bike sits outside. I go out every morning and wipe off the morning dew which also cleans my bike...lol. But my wheels are dirty. I prefer to say that the dirt is preserving the pristine condition underneath.

Stan

 

LOL Wabibt you sound like me, thou I use the little tube on the spray can and locate it right were the sprocket and chain meet. also use card board to keep the blow off down to a minimum, thou I use second gear, :wink: good thread my man.

 

How do you get the bike to run in 1st gear while on center stand? On mine the engine automatically cuts off if I put it in 1st gear on center stand.

 

Joey_Dude -

The bike cuts off when you put it in first gear only if the SIDE stand is also down, not the center stand. If it happens to you when you put down only your center stand then I would say you have a problem there somewhere.

Stan

 

^ dito. what he said, make sure your side stand is up, center stand down.

 

About as safe as poking rattlesnakes. Someone will loose a finger or roll thier bike through the garage wall.

 

Putting ones fingers near moving objects such as a chain and sprocket is inherently dangerous (read as not safe) and not condoned by the Admins and Mods on this forum. You do so at your own risk and the risk of losing a finger or worse.

As a note, I know someone who used to do this. He lost part of one of his fingers.

 

I hate it when that happens... :frusty:

 

My fingers never go near the chain.. neither does the cardboard. You people are paranoid. As for the bike coming off the center stand, if it does I think you must be an idiot, or you never check your bolts for tightness.

He lost a finger? moron... Life weeds out the idiots.

Get a life paranoid people...

 

And so the namebashing has begun.... 30 luv your serve!

 

I agree, I do basically what Wabbit is staying but I don't put the bike in gear. I simply buff the chain in the same spot Wabbit is staying with my left hand and I spin the rear tire with my right. Achieves the same result without the danger of getting the rag or something else caught on the chain and drug into the rear cog.

I haven't used this Chain Wax stuff. I gotta get some, Wabbit your chain looks amazingly clean. I've been doing the WD40 Clean and then using a regular chain lube. I've used White Lightening (as wax base lube) on my Mountain Bikes for years, but I didn't realize they made a wax base lube for the cycle. Gotta get some, it works great keeping the chain clean.

 

PARedVFRRider -

I don't buff the chain with the motor on or in gear. I only SPRAY the chain with the motor running and in gear. I shut it off to buff it. It would be stupid to put a rag to the chain while it's in motion, and I am guessing that's how that one person lost a finger. That's why he's a moron.

If you look at the pics I posted online, you can tell the chain is not moving when I have the rag on it. I mean, how many people are that stupid that they can't figure out what I was saying, and it even has pictures for the reading impaired!

It's simply faster to lube the chain and get even coverage with the chain moving at a constant speed than to go 5 links at a time. I am done spraying in 10-15 seconds, take it out of gear, turn off the bike, then buff the chain.

My fingers and the cardboard never get near the chain at all while spraying. I'm 46, almost 47, and I've been doing it this way since I was 14. I still have all my fingers and toes.

And yes, the chain wax is awesome. :smile: Been using it for decades. Every motorcyle shop I have ever been in has this brand on the shelves. If you can find your White Lightening then use it. It's a chain lube, not reserved strictly for dirt bikes. Probably good for chainsaws too. Wax is the way to go.

 

Anyone using PJ1?

 

Would it be quicker to put in sixth & pin it? I second that on the Chainwax, it's very good stuff, it stays on, & it stays clean. Your method looks good Wabbit. Everyone just keep the digits clear while the bike is in gear and all should be well. I will use this method on the next lube.

 

Wabbit, the only reason I posted like I did is because of the way your first post reads. Not saying you are not being truthful, but bleow in bold is what you wrote in your first post, which led me to believe you do this with the bike in gear and the motor running. It could be you just mistyped or I misunderstood, but I got the impression that at least when you put the cardboard in place with it running and in gear. Also, as a personal preference, I would not even pray the chain with it in gear and running. At 40 years of age and having worked around machinery which contains chains, sprockets, and gears, I know as I am sure you do that accidents can happen even when precautions are taken.

 

You're a moderator? What does 'pray the chain' frggin' mean? Oh.. SPRAY the chain I guess. Read your own posts carefully before you tear into mine please.

YES, I DO leave the bike running in gear on it's center stand when I place the cardboard behind it and start spraying. If you place it behind the chain before you put the bike in gear how the heck you gonna pull on the clutch lever to engage it into first AND hold the cardboard in place? Would take more than two hands to do that! If you put it in gear AFTER placing the cardboard behind the chain you'll would probably watch your piece of cardboard go flying out from under the bike, as your left hand would be on your clutch lever and the right on the shift lever to engage first gear... get me?! You don't have a three handed option here! Damn, I think YOU'RE the only one didn't understand my original post! Put bike in gear on center stand... with your two FREE hands you can now put cardboard behind the chain with left hand, and spray with the right hand. DONE! Turn bike OFF now and buff. That more understandable?

You say - 'I am not saying you're not being truthful'? Wtf has my post got anything to do with truthfulness... My post is ACCURATE and DETAILED and even has PICTURES! What more do you need?

You private message me not to cuss at people on here, but do you private message them not to post stupid crap about my post? NO, I don't think so. *referring to Gatekeeper's post about rattlesnakes* He's the original reason I lashed out. If you don't have anything to ADD to a thread then don't post! People like him and you insult my intelligence. I promise I won't come back on here and tell you how to do any mods to your precious bikes, lest you cut your hands on sheet metal while doing fabrications or switching out parts. I have been working on machinery since I was old enough to put an erector set together at age 3. I think I know what I am doing.

PEACE OUT!

P.S. - Don't private message me again. You are a waste of my time and energy.

 

so do you clean the chain before you wax? i have the motorex chain clean 611 cleaner and the same chain wax you have pictured but i havent done it yet. Does the wax pull the dirt off yet leave a waxy coat? shouldn't i clean chain first?

 

Oh man what a thread, guess I'm in the same boat with Wabbit, I've done this before the start of time, Ha, even did it with the mini bike where I'd put it up on a block of wood then let it rip, never and I mean never have had anything close to having anything close to a Oh Opps, It's all in the know. Yes hand cleaning is with the Bike off, Doh! As noted, way easier, way faster, way better coverage. If you know what you are doing it's a snap, if you don't trust yourself with a butter knife, well then ya better not try this.

Good thread Wabbit. I gots your back.