I bought a 05 F4i (w/ strange looking seat) on September and I just took it to the shop for an oil change and a chain lube. The shop did put more lube on my dirty chain.

My question is : “Is only lubricating the chain enough? without actually cleaning the chain?” The previous owner also told me that he only did chain lube w/ oil changes at the dealer.

My chain looks like… it’s covered with black tar.
Should I clean it when it turns black?
Thanks~

No.....you should clean it BEFORE it's black. LOL.

I clean mine every two times I lube it. Always do it when the chain is warm and I use Motul Chain Cleaner or WD-40 in a pinch. Cleans fine and will not harm the o-rings. Then lube with the appropriate chain lube.

I dont keep track of the mileage that i clean it so....I would guess it to be around every 800-1000 miles.

Also, the manual will tell you to use kerosene to clean it. Just an FYI there.

I try to clean, lube and adjust somewhere between six and eight hundred miles. I have been told it should be cleaned and lubed every three hundred miles. Not sure how accurate that is.

400 mile clean
800 miles clean and lube

Yeah, if it's black, that's bad. I picked up some kerosene at Menards for 14 dollars that will last me for approx 2 years. Use that with a brush and then get it all lubed up. My chain looks metallic and slick when it's cleaned and lubed. The manual says 500 miles and I'd say stick to that approx. timeframe. Everyone will say something different, but doing it more often can't hurt it. FYI, if you do the kerosene thing, get some disposable rags and decent gloves. That stuff stinks like crazy and will follow you for a day or two.

ok sorry guys for such a newb question (newb over here), but when u get kerosene and scrub it with a brush, could you just spray the chain lube on or do you have to brush or rub it in the chain?

Should you take the chain off when you clean it?

Click:

http://www.shraz.net/motorcycle/f4i/cleanandlubricate/

Thanks guys... but, I just realized that I need to buy a rear stand for this job.
(OR do I have to start cleaning from the end ofthedrive-way and move up into the garage?:eek:)

Any suggestion on the rear stand? I did some searches but I don't understand words of spool, adapter, ..etc ...
I'm looking for a simple rear stand that I don't have to take out or put ormove any parts... plz help~ thanks

I have an overhead beam in my garage, I use ratchet straps to lift the rear of my bike.

I then use a multipurpose degreaser, spray it on, spin the wheel by hand while brushing the whole chain down with a plastic brisstle scrub brush, I then hose it off and repeat.....

Then I start the bike and put it in gear and let it run for a couple minutes while blowing compressed air on the chain to dry it..

Then with it still running in 1st gear at idle, I spray a good dose of motul chain lube to the center of the chain. Then shut bike off and let it sit ready for next ride.

Works for me, chain stays clean and quiet. I have 5200 miles on my 06 and chain and sprockets are like new, I have only cleaned and lubed a couple times. I plan to do it more often though.

still don't own a stand. it would be a lot easier if i did...

instead i just walk my bike backwards and greese it up little by little. takes a while, and it's a pain in the ass...

ORIGINAL: sharker98

I have an overhead beam in my garage, I use ratchet straps to lift the rear of my bike.

I then use a multipurpose degreaser, spray it on, spin the wheel by hand while brushing the whole chain down with a plastic brisstle scrub brush, I then hose it off and repeat.....

Then I start the bike and put it in gear and let it run for a couple minutes while blowing compressed air on the chain to dry it..

Then with it still running in 1st gear at idle, I spray a good dose of motul chain lube to the center of the chain. Then shut bike off and let it sit ready for next ride.

Works for me, chain stays clean and quiet. I have 5200 miles on my 06 and chain and sprockets are like new, I have only cleaned and lubed a couple times. I plan to do it more often though.


Be careful doing that. That could be a finger slicer if you're not on top of your game.

Be careful doing that. That could be a finger slicer if you're not on top of your game.

yeah, i'd be scared to clean the chain with it in gear. any loss of concentration and your motorcycle will become a cock-beater meat grinder.

lmao I use a little WD-40 on a rag and wipe my chain down, then apply the lube. And then WD-40 on the rag again and wipe excess off chain where it doesn't need to be. Bling.

I bought this stand: http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/product_view.asp?idProduct=839&D=1&S=4

Best investment I ever made! Not only is it a piece of cake to lube chain, but I just put the bike up on front and rear for the winter and it looks great and no tires touching the ground all winter!!!!

ORIGINAL: amnesia

I bought this stand: http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/product_view.asp?idProduct=839&D=1&S=4

Best investment I ever made! Not only is it a piece of cake to lube chain, but I just put the bike up on front and rear for the winter and it looks great and no tires touching the ground all winter!!!!


So, Does it simply fit our f4i? Can I just get a rear stand alone since all I'll be doing is the chain rube?
thanks

They basically throw the front one in for free. It just sat in my garage unused, until I had to store the bike for the winter. It actually works great. Best thing is it's really easy to put the bike up on the rear as well as the front by yourself!

Since i put a lot of miles on mine.I clean mine every 1k and lube it ever 500 or so miles.Chain is as clean as the day i bought it(6k miles later).
Before i clean mine i ride it a few miles to get the chain warm,put it on the stand ,using a kerosene and a grudge brush to clean it.I use brake cleaner and a rag to remove and left over dirt and grime.THen spray on my lube ,let dry for a few mins, recoat then its done till i ride again.

As far as stands ,spend the extra cash and get a pitbull stand.They are the best there is..THey are a little more $$$$ than most but are well worth it..Check around you probally can find a good used set for cheap(i got my front and rear stands for 180.00)