Go Back   Sportbike Addicts | Two Wheels... Our Drug of Choice > The Garage - Tech Talk > Mods & How To's
FAQ Members List Member Gallery Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Donate
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes

chain maintenance 101
Old 06-06-2005, 08:58 PM   #1
ronin_01r1
Throttle Lock
 
ronin_01r1's Avatar
 
ronin_01r1 is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: south jersey
Posts: 1,105
Default chain maintenance 101

got this from another forum. i think it has a lot of good basic info.

***
Quote:
Originally posted by mity mouse
Chain Maintenance 101 - The Care and Feeding of Your Chain - or - How to love your chain the Mity Mouse way!

How to clean, maintain & adjust your chain:

Clean the chain & sprockets with a rag sprayed with some WD-40. I spray the rag rather than the chain in order to prevent WD-40 overspray on the rear tire, etc.
I like to use an old sock - it covers the whole hand, then just wipe away at everything. WD-40 is also the best thing I've seen to clean the chain lube off the swingarm, chain guard & rear wheel, etc. It leaves everything perfectly clean and shiny, with a light film to resist the chain lube in the future.
Some folks like to use only the WD-40 to clean and lube the chain, based on the theory that the O-rings keep the grease inside, but I feel more confident with actual chain lube inside the unsealed pin / roller. I use Maxima Chain Wax and highly recommend it. There is practically no fling or greasy build-up. WD-40 is not really a lubricant, and certainly has no sheer strength like a product designed for the purpose.
Clean the chain and everything thoroughly with the WD-40. Go ride for a while. When you get back, the chain will be warm.
The heat will have allowed the steel parts to expand, slightly increasing the space for the chain lube to flow inside the roller. The heat will also warm the lube itself, increasing it's penetration.
Immediately after your ride wipe the chain down thoroughly with a clean, dry rag to remove any excess crud while it's easy to wipe off.
Then, while the chain is still warm, carefully spray a small amount of chain lube directly onto each roller - try to get the small gaps between the roller and the sideplates. There's no need to get the O-rings. The WD-40 will have lubed them sufficiently, and getting chain lube on them will only increase the fling-off and attract more dirt.
You want to lube the inside run of the chain - If you look at your chain from the side it's a big loop - lube the top side of the bottom run (the part that actually makes contact with the sprockets).
If you do not have a center stand or swingarm stand to support the back wheel off the ground you will need to back the bike up several times to get the whole chain.
After cleaning & lubing, park your bike for the night, allowing everything to cool, and the chain lube will set up.
Before your next ride, simply wipe the chain and sprockets again with a dry rag, or SLIGHTLY moistened with the WD-40. The overnite setup, and pre-ride wipe down will nearly eliminate lube fling.
After a good cleaning, there will continue to be some fling for a while from the residual WD-40. Continue to wipe the chain & everything else daily. and do not add any more WD-40 until after the fling stops, and then use it sparingly. Daily lubing and wiping will keep things very clean thereafter, and the fling will be negligible. You should rarely need to do the WD-40 cleaning routine.
Your chain should always have a slight gleam & clean shine, but not dripping lube; it should appear clean and new - NEVER dry!!
Believe me, this way seems like more hassle, but it's MUCH cleaner.
This whole procedure is actually simpler to do than it is to describe. Once you get the hang of it, it only takes a couple minutes and everything stays pretty clean.
The other critical aspect of proper chain maintenance is adjustment. Consult your owner's manual for the manufacturers recommended procedure.
Basically, find the approximate center of the bottom run of the chain, between sprockets. Grab the chain with two fingers and move it up and down. It should have about 1 1/2 inches of vertical travel from the highest point to the lowest. It's OK to eyeball - a slightly loose (but properly lubricated) chain is better than too tight. Slightly loose allows the rear suspension to work freely throughout it's full travel.
After adjustment, sight down the chain line from the rear of the bike looking forward along the top of the chain towards the countershaft sprocket. the rear spocket should appear to be lined up directly behind the countershaft sprocket, with the chain centered over both sprockets.
There are some other more precise ways to check the alignment using several measurements and a couple devices, but if you're careful this is all that's really necessary on the street. If you have a swingarm stand, rotate the rear wheel in neutral, and you'll be able to see this clearly.
Checking chain wear: The simplest way to check is to pinch the chain between two fingers, at the rear of the rear sprocket (the 3 o'clock position when viewed from the side), and pull the chain directly off the sprocket. You should not be able to see more than 1/2 of the base of a sprocket tooth at the biggest gap. The sprocket teeth should also not appear sharply pointed, extremely rounded, or chipped.
When you decide it's time to replace the chain due to wear, the chain and BOTH sprockets should also be replaced at the same time. Consider a new chain to be a package deal, unless both sprockets are showing no wear, or very little wear. This is rarely the case on streetbikes.
Racers may encounter this because they may change sprockets frequently to adjust gearing for a particular track or conditions.
Sprockets are relatively cheap, the big cost is the chain. Stick with steel sprockets for durability unless you are racing or have invested in lightweight aftermarket wheels.
The chain is one of the hardest working, yet most neglected parts of a motorcycle.
Follow this regimen after every ride, or whenever the chain appears dry & dull, and you'll have many miles of trouble-free service from your chain, with no worries about it breaking suddenly. Every time you service your chain (before & after every ride) you are also inspecting it. You'll know it's worn and time for replacement, long before sudden failure becomes a concern. I've gotten well over 30,000 miles from an RK chain on a hard-ridden FJ1200 (big, heavy & powerful), used in all weather, with a passenger, as well as many other chains on other bikes.
The maintenance is really quite simple, fairly clean, and only takes a few minutes, if you follow the procedures above.
Lube after the ride; wipe it down before the ride; adjust periodically, and clean the swingarm & wheel occasionally as necessary.

May your chain have a long and happy life!
MM
*****

before the cleaning, my chain was actually black. i lubed the chain after every ride, but never bothered to actually clean it until now. this is mine now. what's yours look like?

__________________
SONG

2007 Kymco Grand Vista 250
2006 KTM 950 Supermoto
2001 Yamaha R1
1976 Honda CB360t
  Reply With Quote

Old 06-06-2005, 11:03 PM   #2
CBRBob
A 37 Production
 
CBRBob's Avatar
 
CBRBob is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 4,347
Default

Mine looks like that all the time without wd-40 or kerosene BS. I use Maxima chain wax when the chain is warm. Spray it on, wipe it off with a clean rag. Then spray it once more. Done!
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 02:49 PM   #3
lu380
Learner's Permit
 
lu380 is offline
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 45
Default

My chain looks like an ashtray that was left outside in the rain. I better get off my lazy a$$ and clean it.
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 04:01 PM   #4
AfricanBootyScratcher
SLOmar
 
AfricanBootyScratcher's Avatar
 
AfricanBootyScratcher is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Location: anyplace handicap accessable
Posts: 1,407
Default

generally, wd-40 is NOT recommended for o-ring chains. According to almost every owner's manual, the recommended chemical for cleaning a chain is Kerosene.
__________________
Omar
TPM Coach #673
www.teampromotion.com

MONMOUTH CYCLES
Yamaha - Suzuki - Honda - Kawasaki

656 Highway 35
Middletown, NJ 07748
732-671-1073
www.monmouthcycles.com
Click here for dicount OEM parts
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 04:57 PM   #5
Marker54
State Farm Pimp
 
Marker54's Avatar
 
Marker54 is offline
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bridgewater, NJ
Posts: 822
Default

New at this but def know that a lubed chain is the difference between night & day!! Def keep up with it, regardless of the product...currently using Lucas.
__________________
State Farm Insurance
Single Bike Insurance & Financing. Life.
peter.gigantino.sp6h@statefarm.com

  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 05:04 PM   #6
IrocRob
Throttle Lock
 
IrocRob's Avatar
 
IrocRob is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,437
Default

Maxima Chain Wax & Cable Lube

Works great & stays in place - I use this every week.

(I use paper towels behind the lower section of chain to avoid making a mess.)
__________________

...Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Maximum Speed...
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 05:13 PM   #7
Shelly
Skid Mark
 
Shelly's Avatar
 
Shelly is offline
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Trenton, NJ...work near New Brunswick.
Posts: 407
Send a message via AIM to Shelly
Default

Great info....was just thinking about this when I went to WCW the other day. Thanks for tidbit
__________________
Network Engineer
Massage Therapist



"Honesty is telling the truth to ourselves and others. Integrity is living that truth."-- Ken Blanchard
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-02-2006, 10:31 PM   #8
High_Revs_17
ron.google.com
 
High_Revs_17's Avatar
 
High_Revs_17 is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3,971
Default

Do not use WD-40, only chain cleaners/lubes should be used that won't effect/damange the O/X rings over time. A properly cleaned, lubed & tensioned chain can make a world of difference with performance on your bike ranging from smoother shifts & acceleration to increased fuel mileage & sprocket life.
__________________

'92 Honda CB747-Cafe'
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-05-2006, 07:47 PM   #9
lu380
Learner's Permit
 
lu380 is offline
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 45
Default

Well I finally cleaned my chain, and managed to make a giant mess all over my garage floor. I used kerosene, a paint brush, some rags, and a plastic cup to dip the brush in the kerosene.

The plastic cup was where I made my mistake. It was your typical red Solo cup like the kind you get at keg parties. The kerosene ate a hole through the bottom of the cup within 10 minutes and leaked all over the floor. Don't be a dumbass like me, use a glass container!
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-05-2006, 08:01 PM   #10
Cakes206
The Solution
 
Cakes206's Avatar
 
Cakes206 is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Joisey
Posts: 8,105
Send a message via AIM to Cakes206
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lu380
Well I finally cleaned my chain, and managed to make a giant mess all over my garage floor. I used kerosene, a paint brush, some rags, and a plastic cup to dip the brush in the kerosene.

The plastic cup was where I made my mistake. It was your typical red Solo cup like the kind you get at keg parties. The kerosene ate a hole through the bottom of the cup within 10 minutes and leaked all over the floor. Don't be a dumbass like me, use a glass container!
Check out this stuff too.
__________________


Character is who you are when no one is looking.

The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-05-2006, 11:45 PM   #11
ronin_01r1
Throttle Lock
 
ronin_01r1's Avatar
 
ronin_01r1 is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: south jersey
Posts: 1,105
Default



this might help too.
__________________
SONG

2007 Kymco Grand Vista 250
2006 KTM 950 Supermoto
2001 Yamaha R1
1976 Honda CB360t
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-06-2006, 07:01 AM   #12
CBRBob
A 37 Production
 
CBRBob's Avatar
 
CBRBob is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 4,347
Default

Don't EVER usa a grunge brush. It will clean the chain beautifully! Along with tearing up the o-rings!
__________________
CBR Bob
TPM Certified Coach#29
TeamPromotion
Rider Ed. of N.J. Inc. Senior RiderCoach and Site Coordinator @CCM & RVCC
RiderEd of NJ Inc.

Cakes206:fuck the devils
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-06-2006, 07:33 AM   #13
Rock712
Gear Nazi
 
Rock712's Avatar
 
Rock712 is offline
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Baltimore ,MD
Posts: 556
Send a message via AIM to Rock712 Send a message via Yahoo to Rock712
Default

Chains are for morons!!!!!
__________________
THANKS MASTURBATION!!!!


"How can you kill women and children?"
"Easy ya don't lead them as much!"
"navigare necesse est, vivere non est necesse"
You think chicks dig guys who look like road-grimed astronauts and have interesting x-rays? You're smoking rope.

Participated in:OEF,OIF, OIF2, very sad I won't return
THE MORE PEOPLE I MEET THE MORE I LIKE MY DOG
UTMC : We are the good guys
ALL YOUR SIDEWALK ARE BELONG TO US
NSD
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-06-2006, 08:59 AM   #14
ronin_01r1
Throttle Lock
 
ronin_01r1's Avatar
 
ronin_01r1 is offline
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: south jersey
Posts: 1,105
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CBRBob
Don't EVER usa a grunge brush. It will clean the chain beautifully! Along with tearing up the o-rings!
oh crap. really? good thing i didn't buy it! i was considering it. i'll have to stick to what has worked for me in the past.
__________________
SONG

2007 Kymco Grand Vista 250
2006 KTM 950 Supermoto
2001 Yamaha R1
1976 Honda CB360t
  Reply With Quote

Old 07-06-2006, 09:06 AM   #15
Cakes206
The Solution
 
Cakes206's Avatar
 
Cakes206 is offline
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Joisey
Posts: 8,105
Send a message via AIM to Cakes206
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronin_01R1
oh crap. really? good thing i didn't buy it! i was considering it. i'll have to stick to what has worked for me in the past.
Seriously consider Chain Clean 611 by Motorex...I was really amazed on how the crap was just falling out from everwhere. Made it look brand new, people asked if I got a new chain. I should of took a pic
__________________


Character is who you are when no one is looking.

The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.
  Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:12 PM.
 

vBulletin skin developed by: eXtremepixels
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.