what is the best chain lube to buy???
#11
04-26-2009, 06:33 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Portsmouth, Ohio
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was actually afraid to use WD-40 directly on the chain, I soak a rag with it and then cup the rag around the bottom run of chain and slowly turn the tire.
5 or 6 times around and the chain is sparkling clean. My intent was to just remove the wax and dirt build up with it. I dont like anything that slings and makes my bike dirty......
5 or 6 times around and the chain is sparkling clean. My intent was to just remove the wax and dirt build up with it. I dont like anything that slings and makes my bike dirty......
#12
04-28-2009, 08:16 PM
Was just going to type this myself, lol. Surprising how many people don't know that wd-40 isn't safe for use on O-Ring chains, dries them out and ruins the seals, shortens chain life dramatically. Works like a charm to clean chains prior to lubing, but no matter what don't use it to actually lube the chain.
I used nothing but WD-40 on my last chain. When I changed it at 20,000 miles it had no missing or cracked O-rings and it had not stretched beyond the tolerances listed in the service manual for a new chain. Either Kawasaki put a miracle chain on my bike or WD-40 is perfectly safe for modern O-ring chains.
My CBR has 5,000 miles on it and again, since day one I've used nothing but WD-40 and the chain looks brand new. Is Honda shipping their bikes with miracle chains too? If WD-40 is that bad, shouldn't I be seeing some kind of problems?
#13
04-28-2009, 08:32 PM
Senior Member
#14
04-29-2009, 01:07 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
I want to witness this destruction in action. How can I wreck my chain in the most spectacular fashion with WD-40? What would happen if I soaked some O-rings in a dish of WD-40? Would they crumble into powder?
I used nothing but WD-40 on my last chain. When I changed it at 20,000 miles it had no missing or cracked O-rings and it had not stretched beyond the tolerances listed in the service manual for a new chain. Either Kawasaki put a miracle chain on my bike or WD-40 is perfectly safe for modern O-ring chains.
My CBR has 5,000 miles on it and again, since day one I've used nothing but WD-40 and the chain looks brand new. Is Honda shipping their bikes with miracle chains too? If WD-40 is that bad, shouldn't I be seeing some kind of problems?
I used nothing but WD-40 on my last chain. When I changed it at 20,000 miles it had no missing or cracked O-rings and it had not stretched beyond the tolerances listed in the service manual for a new chain. Either Kawasaki put a miracle chain on my bike or WD-40 is perfectly safe for modern O-ring chains.
My CBR has 5,000 miles on it and again, since day one I've used nothing but WD-40 and the chain looks brand new. Is Honda shipping their bikes with miracle chains too? If WD-40 is that bad, shouldn't I be seeing some kind of problems?
On small bicycle chains it may be ok...
but on large high powered bikes ...nup
On the main WD40 website , which is tantamount to a shrine for there own product , they do not even mention it as a motorcycle chain lubricant....and they list some 2000 uses including chains , but not motorcycle ones..
It by its nature washes bloody oil and grease off as a cleaner and sure , has some lubricant in it... " meant for smaller lubricating jobs " as there website proclaims ...
As for your chain well I will let you in on a secret , even a new chain that is near never lubed, will last close to a normal life...WD40 as bad as it is will allow it to go the distance for sure , but as for it being a suggested powerful bike chain lube ...no where will you find that statement..
I think the thing here is, that there are purpose made way better products, that will do a better job and ensure the chain does last in good condition..
One more fact is that you did not mention, is that WD40 flies off the chain taking all the chit with it, making a bloody mess or your rear wheel "compared with the purpose made products" that do not fling off...
Now , if you try to tell me, a 53 year old that has had prolly 30+ chains on all types of bikes over the 40 years I have been riding , that WD40 does not fling off ... well then I will know that you are not for real
Everyone is entitled to an opinion mate... but I prefer to give the best advise to people that do not know... and WD40 is not the best , nor is it recommended by any professional or experienced riders as a lube , for this purpose.. It is a great motorcycle chain cleaner...that's it..
BTW- your chain looks brand new because it is being cleaned by the WD40
Last edited by CBRclassic; 04-29-2009 at 01:13 AM.
#15
04-29-2009, 06:20 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#16
04-29-2009, 06:38 AM
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Orrstown, PA
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep... saw a few threads about it back when I had my R6 on a forum. It would be a little harder to ride with one useful hand.
Last edited by CBRclassic; 04-29-2009 at 07:31 AM. Reason: No promoting other bike forums :-)
#17
04-29-2009, 08:17 AM
On the main WD40 website , which is tantamount to a shrine for there own product , they do not even mention it as a motorcycle chain lubricant....and they list some 2000 uses including chains , but not motorcycle ones..
It by its nature washes bloody oil and grease off as a cleaner
WD40 as bad as it is will allow it to go the distance for sure , but as for it being a suggested powerful bike chain lube ...no where will you find that statement..
One more fact is that you did not mention, is that WD40 flies off the chain taking all the chit with it, making a bloody mess or your rear wheel "compared with the purpose made products" that do not fling off...
Now , if you try to tell me, a 53 year old that has had prolly 30+ chains on all types of bikes over the 40 years I have been riding , that WD40 does not fling off ... well then I will know that you are not for real
Now , if you try to tell me, a 53 year old that has had prolly 30+ chains on all types of bikes over the 40 years I have been riding , that WD40 does not fling off ... well then I will know that you are not for real
Everyone is entitled to an opinion mate... but I prefer to give the best advise to people that do not know... and WD40 is not the best , nor is it recommended by any professional or experienced riders as a lube , for this purpose.. It is a great motorcycle chain cleaner...that's it..
BTW- your chain looks brand new because it is being cleaned by the WD40
#18
04-29-2009, 08:58 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
You have your opinion and that is fine, but it is the opposite of just about everything that I have ever heard about and experienced with WD40 ...
PLUS it is the opposite of what is said near everywhere on motorcycle forums online around the world about WD40, regarding motorcycle chains
...so quote me all you like mate ... and have fun in your dream world lol
but your quotes do look good
and to quote you above ...
I think that one sums it all up my friend.. LOL
PLUS it is the opposite of what is said near everywhere on motorcycle forums online around the world about WD40, regarding motorcycle chains
...so quote me all you like mate ... and have fun in your dream world lol
but your quotes do look good
I've not tried all lubes and am not aware of the judgement criteria, so I don't have an opinion which is best. WD-40 has worked very well for me, and this hysteria about WD-40 destroying O-rings is complete BS.
I think that one sums it all up my friend.. LOL
Last edited by CBRclassic; 04-29-2009 at 09:24 AM.
#19
04-29-2009, 01:24 PM
I concur with Classic ~ WD-40 is an awesome cleaner/degreaser, but a lubricant it is not. Spray some on concrete and it will evaporate in minutes. The problem is that it works too good. Being it's a penetrating oil, it's safe to assume that it will enter past o-rings. There's a million chain cleaners out there and it's not worth the risk, imo.
Here's the most intensive WD-40 vs. chain article I've found: LINK
Here's the most intensive WD-40 vs. chain article I've found: LINK
#20
04-29-2009, 01:41 PM
so if wd40 is so bad for your o-rings, why would you still use it as a degreaser? you are still puting it on your chain...
i dont use wd40 as a lube or degreaser, but im not against it either. i just want to know why most of you are saying 'hell no, dont use it as a lube' but yet you still clean your chain with it...
i dont use wd40 as a lube or degreaser, but im not against it either. i just want to know why most of you are saying 'hell no, dont use it as a lube' but yet you still clean your chain with it...