Quick question on the chain

[dzknmd]

At 400 miles should I be doing any type of chain maintenance or lubrication? Or will it wait till my 600 mile check-up at the dealer? What little riding I have done has been on paved roads in good weather.

 

[Beemerphile]

600 miles is plenty. Clean, re-lube, and check slack.

 

[SuperMek]

I would like to add that lube is to be done every 300-400 km (200-250 miles).

 

[Cyclerosis]

Tell me if I'm reading this maintenance schedule correctly. I looks like a pre-ride chain inspection with a lube at around 24,000 miles.



Edit: never mind. It's nearly 1:30 am and it took my brain a few minutes to make my eyes see the every 600 miles thing!

 

[happy]

Maintaining the chain (cleaning and lubricating) is one of the easiest DIY thing a biker can do.

Changing a dead-chain out, with new sprockets also do wonders to the ride quality (you can try watching the garage mechanics do this one time, and repeat the next time yourself). Some special tools may be needed.

 

[Beemerphile]

I would like to add that lube is to be done every 300-400 km (200-250 miles).

That would have you lubing the chain at every gas stop. I certainly don't do that with an o-ring chain. If I felt it was necessary, I would use an automatic lube system like a Scott or pro lube.

 

[duk2n]

I lube the chain of my NCX every 1,000 km, or even before if it rains often. But I clean it only when the chain needs adjustment, taken advantage that I use to unmount the rear fender and chain guard.

For my other bike, a Yamaha XT350 mainly used offroad, I clean and lube the chain every time I run it. But this is another history, and there are a lot of dust where I ride it.

HTH

 

[happy]

That would have you lubing the chain at every gas stop. I certainly don't do that with an o-ring chain. If I felt it was necessary, I would use an automatic lube system like a Scott or pro lube.

Yeah, that seems a little too much TLC, but then some people (me included) have nothing else to do.
I stopped myself from installing a Scottoiler (I had one before for my long-distance DR650) because I LIKE TO oil the chain...at least something to do, and "boast about" that I did some bike maintenance myself.

 

[Rocker66]

How often you have to lube the chain depends very much on the conditions that you are riding in. Things like rain or really dusty conditions require more frequant lubeing. Those of us that are year round riders know that it is vital to lube on a more regular basis in winter than it is summer. I would personally would lube sooner rather than later

 

[dzknmd]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I better get out there and dob some oil on it before I do another 200. I wish my center stand would arrive. Would make it so much easier.

 

[kunju]

Any 0-ring chain must be cleaned and lubed every time the chain is wet (by rain or wash) or 500-600 miles whichever comes first.
I use Pro Honda Contact brake cleaner and Chain lube. I also use the Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish, when you don't have the time to wash the bike.

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I better get out there and dob some oil on it before I do another 200. I wish my center stand would arrive. Would make it so much easier.

I know what you mean, I bought this to get me by and it works very well for $25.00.
Motorcycle Swingarm Rear Stand

 

[happy]

I know what you mean, I bought this to get me by and it works very well for $25.00.
Motorcycle Swingarm Rear Stand

That is dirt cheap.
Over here, it is at least USD100.
Ya, but at least the bikes are cheap here.

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

At least you the lions share in bike selection.

 

[Mark9911]

I think the chain and sprockets will last much longer... i was told to change the chain and sprocket once every year but this is from a guy who travels short distance, is riding a small bike with chain cover and NEVER bothers to oil his chain...for me, i didn't get to use chain lube as i don't know how to put it on properly (worried spray into wheels, etc)...been using a SAE 100 machine oil for the past 3 years plus...and sprockets are still good to date! the only downside is that you need to oil more often as the machine oil dries fast and gets flinged out very often, so dirty rims etc..
But i will probably start to use chain lube now as this new ride is a much heavier investment..
Cheers
Mark

 

[Beemerphile]

... i didn't get to use chain lube as i don't know how to put it on properly (worried spray into wheels, etc)...been using a SAE 100 machine oil for the past 3 years plus...and sprockets are still good to date! the only downside is that you need to oil more often as the machine oil dries fast and gets flinged out very often, so dirty rims etc..

Mark,

You might want to make a cardboard shield with a slot cut in it so that the axle can fit into it. This will shield the tire and wheel. If you are going to use oil, you might try 90w gear oil lightly applied with an oil-wetted washcloth. That is what most manufacturers recommend if proper chain lube is not available. I use chain wax instead of oil because it does not attract dirt like oil or sticky lubes do. Since I live on an unpaved road, this is important to me. On paved roads it would matter less.

 

[Rocker66]

I agree that chain wax is the best bet even if it is a bit more expensive. It is easy to apply and drip or fling off

 

[Mark9911]

Mark,

You might want to make a cardboard shield with a slot cut in it so that the axle can fit into it. This will shield the tire and wheel. If you are going to use oil, you might try 90w gear oil lightly applied with an oil-wetted washcloth. That is what most manufacturers recommend if proper chain lube is not available. I use chain wax instead of oil because it does not attract dirt like oil or sticky lubes do. Since I live on an unpaved road, this is important to me. On paved roads it would matter less.

Yep that is what I saw mechanics at Kawasaki do ...using a cardboard.. For me the machine/gear oil is easily available...so I just used it. And I only travel on paved road....
Is it easy to clean the chain if we use chain wax? If I use gear oil, I just use a cotton rag to wrap around the chain and pull it thru one round....fast and lazy way....but I think I do get rid of most of the grime stuck together with the oil..

Thanks
Mark

 

[happy]

Yep that is what I saw mechanics at Kawasaki do ...using a cardboard.. For me the machine/gear oil is easily available...so I just used it. And I only travel on paved road....
Is it easy to clean the chain if we use chain wax? If I use gear oil, I just use a cotton rag to wrap around the chain and pull it thru one round....fast and lazy way....but I think I do get rid of most of the grime stuck together with the oil..

Thanks
Mark

Hello Mark,
I remember using 90W oil also. It is "clean" but then it gets flinged off, I do not think it "dries up".
The advantage of having a glooey chain spray is that it stays longer but the opposite effect is that it attracts all kinds of dirt and particles.
So if you oil very often, it may be better to use the oldschool gear oil (90W) method rather than the modern sticky chewy chocolatey sprays.

So how much is the COE? Care to elaborate to tell people here how your government extracts more tax from you?

 

[Beemerphile]

Yep that is what I saw mechanics at Kawasaki do ...using a cardboard.. For me the machine/gear oil is easily available...so I just used it. And I only travel on paved road....
Is it easy to clean the chain if we use chain wax? If I use gear oil, I just use a cotton rag to wrap around the chain and pull it thru one round....fast and lazy way....but I think I do get rid of most of the grime stuck together with the oil..

Thanks
Mark

What you are doing is probably the easiest and fastest method. Done frequently, it is probably fine. With chain wax you have to use a separate cleaner that does not leave the surface oily. I use DuPont but there are others. I am always careful to use one that states that it is safe for use with o-ring chains. The DuPont is a solvent type cleaner. I can wipe the chain dry and it is ready for the chain wax.