Chain Care While Touring On T120

Discussion in 'Bonneville' started by Bruce Dell, Jul 11, 2020.

  1. Bruce Dell

    Bruce Dell New Member

    Jul 9, 2020
    1
    3
    Crozet, Virginia
    Love my T120 but new to chain final drive (last 5 bikes were belt driven). How does one deal with chain maintenance and care on 1000 mi + tours. Should I just carry a can of chain lube and lube in motel parking lot. Can't see myself doing a chain clean on the road. Also with normal riding how long does a chain adjustment normally last. Also can't see myself doing a chain adjustment on the road plus the extra tools to carry (ie torque wrench etc)
     
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  2. Samsgrandad

    Samsgrandad Senior Member

    Dec 15, 2019
    691
    243
    Somerset
    Make sure the chain is adjusted before you set off and carry an aerosol of chain lube, I prefer the 'dry' lube and as you suggest lube the chain in the motel parking lot. Do it when you get to the hotel and the chain is warm from the day's ride.
    A pot of gear oil and paint brush has the possibility of getting messy in the luggage or where ever you store it on the bike!
    You should have no problem in going well over 1,000 miles before the chain needs adjusting again.

    Have a Good Trip!!
     
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  3. Bonne Phil

    Bonne Phil Member

    Dec 21, 2018
    66
    18
    Romford, East London
    I should have read this earlier, I'm off to bed now but will check which lube and cleaner I use in the morning. Just a few points now, I clean and re-lube my chain every 500 miles. Particularly if i have been riding in the rain. Be warned if you are using your hotel car park, they might not appreciate the mess you leave behind. I put a sheet of cardboard covered in old news paper under the bike before spraying on the cleaner. The much is a devil to get off the block paving on my drive and I certainly don't want a greasy puddle in the garage. I also have the T120 Diamond edition. Love it.
     
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  4. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    7,687
    1,000
    New Zealand
    Hi Bruce and welcome to the forum :cool: best to clean the chain before leaving home with WD40 and a rag , then apply your lube (oil or aerosol).
    I have a 3sided brush that I spray the aerosol on and then apply to the chain, to avoid overspray and mess.:poop:
    Enjoy your trip.:party::sun:
     
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  5. Cupoftea

    Cupoftea Noble Member

    Dec 16, 2018
    570
    343
    NEW FOREST
    I've fitted a chain oiler which works on vibration, brilliant bit of kit, not needed to adjust the chain in 3000 miles.
     
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  6. Bumpgate

    Bumpgate New Member

    Sep 19, 2025
    20
    3
    Texas
    Has anyone had an issue with chain adjustments and the close proximity of the muffler to the axel nut and adjustment nuts on the swing arm? How is one supposed to get a wrench in there? IMG_8150.jpeg
     
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  7. Samsgrandad

    Samsgrandad Senior Member

    Dec 15, 2019
    691
    243
    Somerset
    Access can usually be gained using either an open ended spanner or a ring spanner. open ended spanners are used for the adjustment nuts.

    When the wheel needs to be removed, for tyre changes, you need to remove the silencer, or muffler to get the axle out.
     
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  8. Nakkers

    Nakkers New Member

    Sep 6, 2022
    17
    3
    Ridgeway Ontario Canada
    This might be helpful….



     
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  9. Brixton Steve

    Brixton Steve Member

    Sep 21, 2019
    55
    18
    Devon
    #9 Brixton Steve, Sep 29, 2025
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2025
    Bumpgate.
    Got a T120 like yourself. Have bought a couple of "offset" ( the spanner opening is at a different angle to standard spanners) spanners which are still a bit of a faff but a lot easier than taking off silencers. As for axle nut torque I use a crows foot (it's open ended spanner for torque wrench fitted to wrench at 90 degrees) with the wrench which will fit on nut without fouling the silencer. Sorted. Hope this helpful.
    As for what started this thread I just take a mustard pot of gear oil a rag and a toothbrush on hols for the chain, and apply as needed and after rain. Never buying spray lube again, much to expensive and D.I.D. recommend gear oil for their chains, that's good enough for me.
     
  10. Bumpgate

    Bumpgate New Member

    Sep 19, 2025
    20
    3
    Texas
    Finally a response from someone who understood my question and who has actually put a wrench on their bike! Thanks for your input.
     
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  11. Brixton Steve

    Brixton Steve Member

    Sep 21, 2019
    55
    18
    Devon
    Bumpgate
    Hi, got my "offset open ended spanners" from Prime Tools. £8:50 ish each. It's still not the easiest but it is easier than silencers.
     
  12. Kinjane

    Kinjane Well-Known Member

    Oct 15, 2017
    338
    63
    Bristol, Land of Enger
    Mileage between adjustments will vary and be highly dependent on accurate wheel alignment, use/abuse and lube schedule.
    From memory I used to get around 4,000 miles between adjustments on my old 2018 Green&White.
     
  13. Hubaxe

    Hubaxe Good moaning! aka Mr Wordsalad :)

    Mar 25, 2020
    1,718
    800
    Aix Les bains - French Alps
    On tour I've chosen to carry a tube of Motul C5 chain paste.
    It's small, doesn't leak, easy to apply. Perfect on the road.
    upload_2025-9-30_15-28-4.png
    Apart if you ride 2K miles, you won't need to adjust the chain.
     
  14. Bikerman

    Bikerman Life's not a dress rehearsal.
    Subscriber

    Oct 29, 2014
    3,200
    1,000
    Lincolnshire
    This might be of use to you.
     
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