Hoping to get a few opionions (recommendations) on how often to lube a drive chain, and also how often to clean the chain. Also is it recommended to clean the chain 'every time' it is lubed? I recently purchased a new Street Twin and am a 1st time Triumph owner. All of my past bikes were shaft drive. So chain lube/clean interval is relatively new to me. I totally get it that a clean and well lubed chain will allow it to go many miles. The Triumph owners manual says every 200 miles which seems to be very conservative. I ride for weekend enjoyment and always ride paved roads and never in the rain. No dusty or dirty riding environments is typical for me. Suggestions, opinions and any recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks
Another Q: Do you find that some of the gear lube (even though you wipe off the excess) comes off the chain and gets deposited where you don't want it? The Triumph shop where I purchased the bike recommends and uses Motul Road lube. It goes on as a spray and costs a bit more, but when dry leaves behind a grease versus an oil. I have already lubed the chain with it once (my new bike only has 500 miles so far). I have not noticed any lube flung off the chain.
Before working at a dealership I was using gear oil. I know someone who swears by cheap olive oil. Now I use WD40 chain wax from the workshop. Very little fling. Whatever you use put it on after a ride when the chain is still warm, that way it'll penetrate further.
Shell Advance engine oil seems to be a good price there, Jez. Chain oil seems reasonable as well ..... okay, it is chainsaw oil but a bike chain will chop yer hand off if you let it!! Only had a quick look at their site so not seen much of it at all - low boredom threshold - but seems wide ranging and good value.
I've used Wurth - good stuff. Tried WD40 chain oil and it is very sticky and seems to get over everything else. Back to paintbrush and 80 /90 gear oil. As noted above - do it after a ride when the chain is warm and leave overnight. Wipe any excess off with a rag. Don't need to clean the chain every time you lube it.
Not one mention, not a sniff, not even a whisper of using a Scottoiler! Please do look into these as it may well be right up your street for lubing your chain. Cost about £100, when fitting, just forget about it, when the engine is running it will drip a couple drops of oil on the chain a minute Very little fling off when adjusted right and will extend the life of your chain and sprockets. Just keep the reservoir topped up and it will do all the rest. You only need to clean the chain every 1,000 miles or so with a rag, and maybe a deeper clean now n again if needed Scottoiler
I have a scottoiler and still regularly clean and lube my chain, and it does need both.I like them, only it is not 100% the answer either imho.
Yup it's too easy to think you can just leave them and forget about regular maintenance, I had one on my thruxton and it was great, moved it to my tiger now so hope it works the same
Lots of good and varied advice. My personal opinion is it matters not as much what you use (butter clearly excluded!) but that you keep it oiled. A chain oiler (such as the Scottoiler) makes this simple but if you don't want to go that route just keep an eye on the chain and treat it well. Keep it clean when it gets dirty, oil it, and keep it in the adjustment tolerances. Do that and it will serve you well and long. BTW - I've had both chain and shaft drive and I prefer the chain, maybe because I can see what's happening there.
another thing to be aware of: the crud really collects behind the front sprocket cover so its always a good thing to get in there and remove it all every now and then
Got a new final drive (Sprokets too, of course) and have been using wax based lube. Makes for a cleaner look, and so far so good as for not stretching.
I've used chain wax in the past but only in the summer months, including Wurth dry lube, WD40 chain wax and Chain Monkey wax. They work ok but are a bugger to clean off after a while. Still prefer SAE90 gear oil, easy to wipe off and quick to apply.
