Buying A New Old Stock Chain

I have a new 2023 Bonneville and only put on 220 miles so far (winter here); I just lubed the chain with Lucas Chain Lube (no wax) in an aerosol can; can sez it's safe for rubber O rings; just sayin.

 

Ultra violet light is what kills rubber, amongst other things. If this has factory grease and been stored in the manufacturers box then I'd have no concerns using it.

 

Buying that chain wouldn't worry me in the slightest if it's been stored as described. The main O ring killers are use of incorrect cleaning products (solvents) and physical damage from road debris exacerbated by lack of or poor lubrication. The repetitive cold-heat-cold cycling which occurs during normal use will also cause gradual deterioration. Non of these factors apply to that chain.

 

Me to it looks good enough to me. I have one in my garage i purchased about 2015 for my Bonnie and it will go on my Bonnie i have now when needed. I have 80/90 gear oil and oil my chains every couple of months with an old tooth brush. And after i have cleaned my teeth by the way. Joe

 

I use nothing else on my chains except gear oil. I've extolled the virtues of auto chain oilers on here before but when used with gear oil they're the perfect solution to chain maintenance IMO.

The "agree" is for the use of gear oil but the way, NOT the same brush for teeth cleaning!

 

@Pegscraper
That was actually joking. I save all the old tooth brushes Tracy is replacing with new. So I have dozens in the garage for little jobs. Joe

 

Back to lube: after using Lucas Chain Lube and about 20 miles, checked chain and the lube still on the chain coated my fingers and felt like gear lube; minimal residue on the wheel; easily cleaned spokes and rim with Simple Green; hence, will give gear lube a shot next time.

 

Update on Lucas Chain lube 03/15/25:
The product is still excellent for lubing the chain on my Triumph T120; hence, I ordered 2 more cans from Amazon in addition to the one I ordered in 2023. Any excess that spins off on the rim after the first ride is easy to wipe off with Simple Green cleaner.

However, why I only gave it a 3 star Amazon review? The new cans came without a snorkel, that little red tube, that helps get the lube directly onto the chain. Lucas changed the button you depress to release the oil. None of my collection of a dozen old red tubes fit into the button, its hole too small and NOT designed for a snorkel; genius design. BUT, did manage to find a snorkel on my CRC Contact cleaner can that could be forced into the Lucas button hole. Bet Lucas never used this product to lube a chain.

 

Despite my preference for auto chain oilers on my road bikes, I use this on the dirt bike and it's BY FAR the best spray on chain lube I've ever used, for tack, water resistance, rust protection and longevity. As any off road rider will know, a drive chain on any chain driven off road vehicle has a very hard life.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36485690...MI4YyU5fGMjAMVuZxQBh1LPhY_EAQYBCABEgKZ__D_BwE

 

Thanks Pegscraper! Does the Motorex just contain lube or does it also contain a wax??

 

It's sold as lube, no mention of wax but Motorex do sell a chain "wax". Not really sure what the difference is, performance wise but I've used the off road stuff for years and never suffered chain corrosion. Despite it's tack it doesn't seem to attract dirt as you might expect.

 

Read somewhere in the forum that wax lube is notorious for attracting debris and a pain to clean off the chain and sprocket areas.