[naeem]

Hi;

Anyone have recommendations on any particular chain lubricant and cleaner? Does it matter?

Service manual says to use kerosene to clean, and a lubricant, but doesn't mention specific brands - so I'm assuming any brand will work? Agree?

YZ6 Service Manual:
LUBRICATING THE DRIVE CHAIN
The drive chain consists of many interacting
parts. If the drive chain is not maintained properly,
it will wear out quickly. Therefore, the drive
chain should be serviced, especially when the
vehicle is used in dusty areas.
This vehicle has a drive chain with small rubber
O-rings between each side plate. Steam
cleaning, high-pressure washing, certain solvents,
and the use of a coarse brush can damage
these O-rings. Therefore, use only
kerosene to clean the drive chain. Wipe the
drive chain dry and thoroughly lubricate it with
engine oil or chain lubricant that is suitable for
O-ring chains. Do not use any other lubricants
on the drive chain since they may contain solvents
that could damage the O-rings.

 

[rennsport]

i use maxima chain wax. it works for me... I clean and lube the chain every 1000 miles.

 

[RJN2112]

This subject is just about as contentious as an oil thread.....

I am a fan of doing the least, and doing the least harm to the orings on my chain as possible. Hence, I wipe my chain down with gear oil, and nothing else.

An old wash cloth with a pool of fresh gear oil in the center, wrapped around the chain and scrubbed back and forth removes most of the surface grime, and leaves a film of high strength oil behind.

I am not a fan of chain wax. It 'flings' as much as any other product I have used, and leaves a very sticky residue behind wherever it lands. Annoying to clean up. Gear oil flings as well.... not too badly, and it's a lot easier to wipe off the rim and various other places it lands.

Your mileage will most certainly vary.

 

[ctandc]

Dupont for me for me

$5 at the local Lowe's. Cleans and lubes. No fling, no fuss, no muss.

DuPont Teflon Chain Saver - DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - webBikeWorld

I've got an easy 20K on the chain / sprockets I have now. From wear / adjustment, I'll get another 5K-10K out of 'em.

 

[rennsport]

This subject is just about as contentious as an oil thread.....

I am a fan of doing the least, and doing the least harm to the orings on my chain as possible. Hence, I wipe my chain down with gear oil, and nothing else.

An old wash cloth with a pool of fresh gear oil in the center, wrapped around the chain and scrubbed back and forth removes most of the surface grime, and leaves a film of high strength oil behind.

I am not a fan of chain wax. It 'flings' as much as any other product I have used, and leaves a very sticky residue behind wherever it lands. Annoying to clean up. Gear oil flings as well.... not too badly, and it's a lot easier to wipe off the rim and various other places it lands.

Your mileage will most certainly vary.

I have very little fling off, when I let the chain sit overnight. If I am oiling it while on a trip, I just don't worry about it flinging off.

A s for clean up, I use 409 on the rims, swingarm etc. It takes the flung off wax right off.


I too have over 20k miles on my chain and it has some more miles left in it.

 

[Scissors]

Kerosene is an extremely effective and safe cleaner for chains.

Lube? Well, that's a matter of opinion. There are those who use thick lubes, those who use thin lubes, and those who use no lube at all. As far as anyone can tell, there's no significant difference in chain life between these three choices.

However, you don't need to spend extra money on some over-hyped lubricant. Gear oil works just fine. If you go with something more expensive, do it for looks or lack of sling, don't do it because of some theory that it'll protect better, because it won't.

 

[RJN2112]

I have very little fling off, when I let the chain sit overnight. If I am oiling it while on a trip, I just don't worry about it flinging off.

I'm at 24,400 on my OEM chain. Just starting to get some stiff links in it. I'll swap it out this winter, along with new sprockets.

As for clean up, I use 409 on the rims, swingarm etc. It takes the flung off wax right off.


I too have over 20k miles on my chain and it has some more miles left in it.

As a side note... the best thing I have found for removing chain wax that has been 'flung'? Liquid car wax. Whatever solvent is used to keep it liquid, will cut right thorugh the dried on chain wax. Wipe it on, wipe it off.... you leave behind a fresh coat of car wax.

My time in the Navy gave me a strong dislike of 409 type products, they typically leave a sticky residue behind that attracts dust. I've found the auto wax skips that.

 

[rennsport]

My time in the Navy gave me a strong dislike of 409 type products, they typically leave a sticky residue behind that attracts dust. I've found the auto wax skips that.

I am using the 409 at the same time I am washing the bike. After the 409 gets rid of the flung wax, the wheels etc, get a bath with McGuire's. So if there is any residue, it gets washed away.

The 409 is also real good at getting rid of the brake dust buildup.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

Kerosene is an extremely effective and safe cleaner for chains.

.

Been ridin' for 30 years. Kerosene has always treated me well. Cleans and lubricates all at the same time.

I have had old chains with "kinks" in them rejuvinated with Kerosene. Take the chain off and soak overnight. Gives it time to soak in, clean and lube all the little spots.



Then toss on some lube of your choice after that.

 

[kirkeb]

Dupont for me for me

$5 at the local Lowe's. Cleans and lubes. No fling, no fuss, no muss.

DuPont Teflon Chain Saver - DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - webBikeWorld

I've got an easy 20K on the chain / sprockets I have now. From wear / adjustment, I'll get another 5K-10K out of 'em.

this

I use the DuPont Multi Purpose Lube. +25K so far on original chain/sprockets and lots of life left. There were numerous threads on this stuff when I joined 3 years ago. Became the lube of choice at the time.

Can't believe this is coming up again. If you don't use the DuPont stuff turn over keys and title to FZ6. :twofinger

 

[jrevans]

I just switched to the dupont stuff

this

I use the DuPont Multi Purpose Lube. +25K so far on original chain/sprockets and lots of life left. There were numerous threads on this stuff when I joined 3 years ago. Became the lube of choice at the time.

Can't believe this is coming up again. If you don't use the DuPont stuff turn over keys and title to FZ6. :twofinger

In fear of having to turn over my FZ6 keys, I recently switched to the DuPont multi-purpose lube from Lowes. I previously used the Honda brand chain lube with good results, but so far, I like the DuPont stuff better.

 

[kirkeb]

You're all good!

 

[Wagterd]

For cleaning, I use regular old WD-40. Since it's petroleum based, it shouldn't harm the O-rings. Been using it for 2 years and about 20k miles with no probs. It works really well for cleaning off the dirty flung stuff on the rim too.

I don't think there's much difference in lubes. It's more important that you apply to it to a warm chain - like immediately after a ride.

2cents

 

[naeem]

So thanks to input by gang, the DuPont stuff looks great - and the WebBikeWorld guys gave it a review. I'm gonna get it.

Anyone have a preference for the DuPont "classic" or the new "gooey" version?
Old: DuPont Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant
New: DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry, Self-Cleaning Chain Lube

Also, when using that, do you use a cleaner first? Like kerosene, or WD-40, or just use the lubricant?

 

[BlueZ6]

Also, when using that, do you use a cleaner first? Like kerosene, or WD-40, or just use the lubricant?

Whatever you use, it's best to clean before lub.
+1 on kerosene. It cleans nice and easy, and it's cheap.

 

[Grusome]

Dupont for me for me

$5 at the local Lowe's. Cleans and lubes. No fling, no fuss, no muss.

DuPont Teflon Chain Saver - DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - webBikeWorld

I've got an easy 20K on the chain / sprockets I have now. From wear / adjustment, I'll get another 5K-10K out of 'em.

+1, this stuff is wonderful.

 

[RickA]

I don't think there's much difference in lubes. It's more important that you apply to it to a warm chain - like immediately after a ride.

I'm not trying to argue, but I'm curious as to why. I would think the links and seals would expand while warm and wouldn't allow as much lube to get in the crevices.

 

[segue00]

So thanks to input by gang, the DuPont stuff looks great - and the WebBikeWorld guys gave it a review. I'm gonna get it.

Anyone have a preference for the DuPont "classic" or the new "gooey" version?
Old: DuPont Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant
New: DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry, Self-Cleaning Chain Lube

Also, when using that, do you use a cleaner first? Like kerosene, or WD-40, or just use the lubricant?

Just make sure you give it a thorough cleaning especially behind the front sprocket cover before first use of the Dupont. After that, just spray to clean and lube at the same time. Use sparingly.

I haven't tried the new one, but I'm very satisfied with the Multi-use Dry.

 

[04efi]

The new stuff seems to wear off faster. Maybe it self cleans better, if you do get it i suggest the first couple of times apply it more often. Seems like when i switch to the Dupont i didnt get enough of the old oil off. It really does self clean. Kinda nice.

 

[RJN2112]

I'm not trying to argue, but I'm curious as to why. I would think the links and seals would expand while warm and wouldn't allow as much lube to get in the crevices.

I'd think the lubricant will thin more, on the warm chain and migrate further than it would on a cold chain. More penetration.

Personally, I'm not that technical with it..... whenever it looks dry, I wipe it down with more gear oil.