how do you lube a chain

[coolpeacocks]

i brought in my 08 zx6r for the first service which cost me 150$ for just an oilchange and clean and lube for my chain. to expensive for me so im gonna do all oilchange and lubing of the chain now. i was wondering what you guys use to clean and lube your chains and any tips pointers would help alot since ive never lubed a chain before also do i have to take the chain of or what do i have to do exaclty???

[bluedevil10r]

There are a few ways to clean a chain. The best I have seen is using Kerosene, or diesel On a brush. Then dry off the chain the best you can. Of course all of this should be done on a rear stand. Then start your bike, and put it in gear. Get the chain lube out, and spray it down. I use PJ1 Blue label, just make sure the lube is o-ring safe. Last take a rag and wipe off the excess lube. ONLY lube your chain when it's warm, or it's useless to lube it. Intervals are at 500miles.

[BULLDOG]

years ago we used to take the chain off, and submerge it into a pan of lube , if I remember we had to heat it up a bit??, that way all of the chain would be sorted out.

[zxman]

answers and techniques will vary widely on this subject just like many others but by no means is it necessary to remove the chain.

Kerosene is used by many, WD40 sprayed onto a rag and a couple wipe downs will suffice as well...........however when it comes time to lube use whatever type you choose but when you actually are spraying it on the chain its best to spray the inner rollers/links and not the outer as it does little if any good on the outside as it will get flung off much easier whereas the inside allows the lube to push its way through the links and rollers therefor a far better result.

[Hammerhead]

I use Liquid Wrench chain lube (O-ring safe) to clean the chain since it is very thin and has a lot of solvent, which is good for dissolving munge. Then, I wipe off the dissolved munge and lube with an old rag. A toothbrush or any small brush with plastic bristles can be used to scrub off any heavy accumulation. After the chain is clean and dry, I spray the rollers with Bel-Ray chain lube, which dries to a fairly untacky coating. I keep a large can on the workbench and a small one under the seat for on-road lubing. Keep an eye an the rollers and give 'em a spritz when they get shiny.

[BULLDOG]

Originally Posted by zxman

by no means is it necessary to remove the chain.

Must admit removing the chain was like a 30 years ago thing, now with the more modern chains, I agree this would not be needed, but years ago when them chains got real rusty, and there was limited funds for new shit, we did what we did to stay mobile.

[coolpeacocks]

thanks guys all the info helped alot what happens when u lube the chain when its not warm?

[636Noob]

I lube my chain at the same time I wash my bike.

I just spray Gunk engine degreaser, let sit for a few minutes, wash the whole bike with water. Dry off bike and chain, then spray Motul road chain lube on the chain.

[bluedevil10r]

When a chain is warm it stretches, and the o-rings open a bit more allowing the lube to reach the areas where needed. Try stretching an o-ring cold, and one that's warm and you'll see the difference.

[bluedevil10r]

Originally Posted by 636Noob

I lube my chain at the same time I wash my bike.

I just spray Gunk engine degreaser, let sit for a few minutes, wash the whole bike with water. Dry off bike and chain, then spray Motul road chain lube on the chain.

Your not lubing, your just coating your chain.

[suprajztwenty]

ive got a 97 7r and ive sprayed the liquid wrench stuff on it-seems to help a bit, but i think im going to take it off and give it a couple days to soak. can i just use cheap motor oil or do i need somthing thin to get good penetration? i should probably get a new chain but theres other things on the bike that need the funds right now, so in the meen time for test/tuning itll have to do for now.

also-as far as getting it warm, how about directing a space heater over the pan? definition of warm would be like 90degrees right?

[ZuluNinja]

drip some butter and cheez whiz on it, then do a burnout.

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by suprajztwenty

ive got a 97 7r and ive sprayed the liquid wrench stuff on it-seems to help a bit, but i think im going to take it off and give it a couple days to soak. can i just use cheap motor oil or do i need somthing thin to get good penetration? i should probably get a new chain but theres other things on the bike that need the funds right now, so in the meen time for test/tuning itll have to do for now.

also-as far as getting it warm, how about directing a space heater over the pan? definition of warm would be like 90degrees right?

If you have an endless chain with a riveted master, you'll be taking off the swingarm to remove it unless you grind or punch out the master, either of which will destroy the link. Also, if you have an O-ring or X-ring chain, soaking it will not get into the link pins as the rings seal in lube from new and seal out everything else for the life of the chain. External lube with these types of chain is for the rollers and sprockets only. Older designs could benefit from removal and soaking (used to keep an extra on hand for this purpose) but you are wasting your time to soak a modern chain. Most of the wear occurs where the link pins contact the insides of the rollers and once that lube is dried/used up, the chain is on the way to the shitcan. Lubing the outside while warm is not a bad idea, because it helps the lube soak the rollers and sprocket teeth, but no lube will reach the critical inner surfaces hot or cold. I always lube when the day's ride is done and this gives the lube a chance to dry so there is less fling-off. The chain is warm at this time so the lube spreads around better.

[ZX6Ray]

I usually use a rag with a light spray of WD-40 to clean off a warm chain then take a clean rag and wipe it down again without WD-40. I use repsol chain lube and coat the inner side of the chain and lightly hold a rag under the chain to catch any excess runoff.

[GRN_MONSTER]

Hey I have a few other questions on the Right way to lube a chain... I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this! First off, do you just spray directly on the chain? I read a few posts and it said to just spray the lube on a cloth, is that correct? After that do I need to go over it with a dry cloth? After this is complete, do I need to wait for a while before I ride? I know this is a shit load of SIMPLE questions, but I just wanted to be COMPLETELY CLEAR. Thanks!

[zxman]

however when it comes time to lube use whatever type you choose but when you actually are spraying it on the chain its best to spray the inner rollers/links and not the outer as it does little if any good on the outside as it will get flung off much easier whereas the inside allows the lube to push its way through the links and rollers therefor a far better result.

The above is part of my earlier post on proper application of lube.

[GRN_MONSTER]

Thanks man, but what about sit time? Can I ride as soon as I'm done? I heard that a lot of grime? and other shit should come off the chain like crazy, but when I lubed it today, there was nothing and this is after 1200 of riding? Also, this might seem dumb, I know its Very important, but what does lubing the chain effect?

[bluedevil10r]

Lube every 500 miles. The lubing affects the o-rings, and chain. I use PJ1 Blue label. It doesn't fling around too much, and it's pretty clear if it does.

[zxman]

your choice really but allowing it to sit for 10min afterwards gives it time to solidify just a bit.

My usual technique is to clean & lube after a ride that way when the chain cools down the lube solidifys overnight and has a tendeancy to adhere better for the next ride.

[GRN_MONSTER]

Okay thanks for the info! It really helped!