I saw this video yesterday and think it might be the best explanation for using chain lube, and the best test of a lubricant I’ve seen yet. I’ve always wondered what lube is best, or if I even need a lube, as the chain is internally lubricated and sealed. I used nothing but WD40 on my previous chain on my Street Triple and got about 18000 km’s out of it. Anyways have a look as this and let me know what you think.
49 I like his stuff I watched that and so when I did my chain this week I used gear oil. This forum has been using it for years.
I went and bought some gear oil after watching the video because I wanted to give it a try before my 200 km ride this afternoon. I cleaned the chain first and brushed the oil into the chain, as it’s pretty thick and needs to be spread and worked in. I tried wiping it down after, but it’s too thick for that. I didn’t put much on but found it did fling off just a little, as it got on the under side of the mufflers and pipe. It all wiped off easily except for the little bit on the underside of the pipe just before the muffler. There doesn’t seem to be any grime stuck on it and it’s also clean looking. It rained pretty hard for a short while on the ride and the bike got really dirty, but the chain looks good. I’m hoping the flinging off of gear oil is done now. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts before it needs cleaning and re-oiling.
A favourite topic of mine. You definitely do need a lube. Yes the chain is internally lubricated but you need lubricant between the chain elements and sprocket. I reckon I've used all the lubricants available today, and they all will do the job, including gear oil, but most of them will throw off, some more than others. I refuse to use WD 40...it is NOT a lubricant.,...it is a penetrating oil and rust inhibitor. There are 2 or 3 really good lubes and in my opinion the best is Motorex Road Strong, or Motorex Racing. I've used both. A bit more expensive than some others, but it is the least likely to throw off on to your wheel or other parts. Belray Superclean is also very good but I've found it hard to wash off the chain when it needs a clean. Two things needed to get a long life out of a chain.....adjustment when needed and frequent lubrication. I've always kept the maintenance up to the chain and have always got good life out of my chains. Best was 85,000km on a Kawasaki Z1000. Another thing vital for chain life is not allowing the front sprocket to get badly worn....that'll kill a chain quickly. In that 85000km I replaced the front sprocket at least 3 times. The rear sprocket lasted as long as the chain. Edit....if you're going to use gear oil, you'll be a slave to washing it off the surrounding areas of your bike and you'll need to relubricate more often. The really good chain lubes cling to the chain and last a lot longer between relubes.
Gear oil it is. Been using it for ages. When I bought my Bandit it had 16,000 miles on the clock, it now has 27,000, same chain, still going strong. When I bought my Striple the dealer sprayed the chain with some type of lube, it was rusty within a few days and that was last summer(no rain).
I have always use chain lube, but reading the post on this thread I might just try some gear oil.....
Not true. It depends on how much you put on and it depends on the bikes construction. I get some spray on my Street Triple under the rear of the seat. I don't get any on the Bandit, the way the chainguard fits stops it. I only need to wipe the Striples "arse" once after every application and I would say I apply too much oil as "i like an oily chain". Also, I've found that road crap does not adhere to gear oil the same, the chains seem to stay very clean. I lube the chains about every 300 - 500 miles. (with a one inch paint brush)
I use Putoline ceramic Tech chain wax on mine, don’t fly off at all. I use Paraffin to clean chain first as it the recommended thing to use and it’s the cheapest too. Watched that video on Youtube last week, but don’t want to use gear oil as it flys off. He does mention it’s what it recommend to lube chains with!
A very interesting video, I've always thought the same about sealed chains (if grease can't get out, we can't get any in) So it appears all we are doing, is oiling for cosmetic reasons. I often use gear oil, gives a nice coverage. But chain wax stays on the chain. I bet a lot of chain lube manufacturers hate him lol
i think it's really just to stop rust,although saying that i have a scotoiler and as well as saving you the hassle of oiling your chain manually, it definitely prolongs the life of the chain and sprockets (so does doing it manually i guess)
I would recommend using very little and brush it on. I thought I used a small amount, as I squeezed a small line onto the chain as I spun the wheel then brushed it in. Next time I will put the oil onto the brush before I brush it on the chain. This will ensure I use even less oil and hopefully that reduces or even stops the sling.
Not just cosmetic purposes, as he mentions that the rollers need lubricating as well as rust prevention for the chain itself.
Lol, I think he does that for humour. You should watch the one he does that mimics “the Twilight Zone”. He has the perfect voice and delivery fore sure.
I use an osco Oiler, filled with chainsaw oil. Worked for over 40k km on my blackbird with same sprocket set. So the choice was easy when I got my speedy.... I’m a happy puppy with it. Just one pull every 300 - 400 km, that’s it!
I watched this and decided gear oil was the way to go last Saturday. Anyway Easter Sunday went to my sisters, and BiL who has recently bought a shaft drive BMW gave me 4 cans of unused WD40 chain lube he has never used. Guess what free stuff Triumphs (see what I did there?) even cheap stuff.
Raced mountain and road bikes for years. Always used a small brush and Mobil 1 oil. Titanium road bike chains are 2x the cost of what an RS chain costs so trust me, I took chain maintenance seriously! Will have to take a look at gear oil for the RS as maybe it wouldn’t fling off as easily.
Spent some time in the garage cleaning the goo off NUDGERS chain before going to the IOM It was stuck everywhere front sprocket housing chain guard etc and was flung up on to the number plate area It was a bugger to clean off especially the chain itself Then out with the trusty gear oil I have a plastic tube type thing with a sawn down toothbrush in it I use this to lube the chain and when I’m done I top it back up and take it with me on trips away
Think I will give gear oil a try after my can of Muc Off dry runs out. I wonder which manufacturer he is referring to, Triumph seem to dodge the question! Do Triumph make their own chains or is it something bought from a specialist manufacturer?
