Oiling the chain

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by Punisher5964, Dec 30, 2015.

  1. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    How often do you guys oil your chains and what do you use?

    I have done roughly 1000 miles on my blade and haven't oiled it. I went to do it on Monday and it has rusted.

    My bike is kept in a metal she under a cover but it still gets a bit moist in the air inside the shed.

    Have i been a clot and not oiled my chain often enough or is it rusting because of its surroundings or both?

    I have ordered a gold DID replacement which i will be oiling regularly to stop it from happening again but how often is often enough?

    Thanks.
     
  2. IcarusGreen

    IcarusGreen Elite Member

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    I use kerosene to clean it and then use any of the decent chain lubes. I usually do it every time I clean the bike.
     
  3. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    Makes sense I suppose, I don't know why I've not done it? I will be doing in future.

    I was thinking of maybe doing it every 300 miles ish so every 2 to 3 runs out.
     
  4. Nickw

    Nickw Active Member

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    Every time I clean my bike.

    Chain should be cleaned regularly and not just re-lubed. Grit and stuff can stick to your chain so if you just lube it you're lubing the grit and crud that's on it.

    I clean it with paraffin, dry it all off and then I only use Wurth dry chain lube. It's dry so less crud sticking on it. Last chain lasted me 22k using this method, and only really needed adjusting on tyre changes.
     
  5. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    I bought some chain cleaner as well so i will do that.

    How do you guys clean them whilst on the bike? remove the chain guard, spray it up and rub it down with a cloth?

    Seems obvious but not very thorough.
     
  6. bladeaddict

    bladeaddict Active Member

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    Clean mine with Sdoc 100 Chain Cleaner. Spray on for 15 minutes and then rinse off. Lube with SDoc 100 White Chain Spray. About every 300 miles depending on road conditions.
    If your changing the chain is it not best to change sprockets at the same time?
     
  7. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    Yeah im changing the sprocket as well, it comes as a kit.
     
  8. sp1n99

    sp1n99 Active Member

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    I'm guessing that if you're asking about maintaining a chain then you've probably never changed one before?

    I would suggest that if you intend to change it yourself that you get someone knowledgable to oversee you for the first time ( or two). A chain coming off at speed can make a real mess of a bike and maybe the rider.

    In all honesty, unless you're racing or doing regular track days it's probably more economical to pay someone experienced to do it as decent quality splitting and peening tools are expensive.
     
  9. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    I'm not doing it myself mate I'm not nuts. I don't mind having a go at the simpler things like power commander but anything properly mechanical and I'm out. It's booked in for Saturday for the chain and sprocket and two new tyres. Just need some sun to take advantage of.
     
  10. thezipsteruk

    thezipsteruk Elite Member

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    I found that the OE chains rust very easy on the blade.
    When I had the repsol i was so miffed when it rusted whilst using worth dry over the winter months.
    So when I swapped to the anniversary model I was using wurth dry in the summer and I have SDoc for the winter. ( I may just stick with sdoc if I can afford it lol)
    I lube it every 2 weeks-ish depending on weather and thats probably about 300 miles. seems to keep it noise free and no rust as yet.
    (Fingers crossed)
     
  11. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    I am a bit shocked its rusted so quickly, I only got it in August and have done about 1000 miles, the bike was serviced before i collected it so the chain would of been spot on.
     
  12. IcarusGreen

    IcarusGreen Elite Member

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    Kerosene is the same stuff as paraffin but paraffin is easier to lay your hands on in the UK and is cheap from B&Q.

    It's recommended to use for chain cleaning by a lot of guys in the know and thats why I use it for my chain and cleaning other mechanical parts.
     
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  13. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    I'll grab some and be a bit more vigilant in my bike maintenance regimen in future :rolleyes:
     
  14. Slick

    Slick Elite Member

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    Recently changed my winter regime.

    Now use 10w30( or whatever is spare in the shed), 2 drops each side of the chain before a ride. Seems to fair better when riding in the wet. The bike has been left untouched for 2 weeks after a wet ride, just had a quick check and zero rust.

    Easier to clean than sticky sprays, bit of paraffin or proper cleaner on a rag, quick wipe, reapply oil wipe off excess, boom like brand new.

    Bit of fling but feck it, I commute daily on a HRC, this time of year its gets filthy in a nano second!!
     
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  15. BlackDevil

    BlackDevil God Like

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  16. tony lomas

    tony lomas Member

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    Hi I to keep my blade in a metal bike shed I use to get condensation on the bike to .until I used cello tex to line the whole of the shed this stopped it if your going to use I get the thickest sheets you can afford it's easy to cut with a saw or blade
     
  17. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    Cello tex, never heard of it, I'll look out for that as I'm looking to do some maintenance in the next month or so. Thanks mate.
     
  18. pete954

    pete954 Active Member

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    I oil my chain after every ride when the chain is warm and loose. A few drops of EP80/90 gear oil on the inside of the bottom run and she's good to go. If you ride in all weather's then you should lube it accordingly.
     
  19. Nigelg79

    Nigelg79 Active Member

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    I have a metal shed too and used to also use a cover. Don't use a cover, it makes the bike 'sweat' in the cold damp weather. Take the cover off and let it breathe. You shouldn't have a problem then.
    Also, paraffin as people have said before is best for cleaning a chain. Rinse properly afterwards, dry, then lube.
     
  20. Punisher5964

    Punisher5964 Active Member

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    The frustrating thing is when I bought my cover I could of bought a breathable one for £20 more and the guy at Honda said I would only need breathable if I covered the bike up wet which I never do so I saved £20 and bought the straight cover. Wish I'd played it safe now and just bought the other, might get it anyway.
     

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