Chain Lube

[fred_dillon]

Hi, just bought an 01 650s, lovely yellow, with lowers, love at first sight!!
I have a chain question, the owners book says do not use commersal chain lube as it buggers the chain, sounds a bit odd. considering a Loobeman, or a scotoiler, or just stick to tins of spray,any advise, please.

[Quiff Wichard]

well done Fred-
good choice - hope u r v v happy with her

not sure about the chain thing- cloggsy or rictus will tell u soon no doubt- or Jonboy--

all I can say is IMHO u need some candy grand blue nd get her the best colour- ortherwise she is fine

ride safe

[Sid Squid]

Use any spray chain lube that is suitable for 'O' ring chains, in practice this is all of them, I can't remember the last time I even saw a spray that wasn't sutable so you needn't be unduly cautious.

[jonboy]

I have a chain question, the owners book says do not use commersal chain lube as it buggers the chain, sounds a bit odd. considering a Loobeman, or a scotoiler, or just stick to tins of spray,any advise, please.

No it doesn't say that. It says don't use a chain lube that has solvents and only use one suitable for O-ring chains (which you'll find they all are if you look at the can).

I've used lots and have come to the decision that sticky chain lubes simply gather dirt and grit and grind away at your chain and cause premature wear (regardless of what the manufacturer tells you).

Wiping engine oil over the chain every time you ride it works fine but gives a lot of "fling" as does a chain oiler, though this is probably the most efficient way of lubing your chain you can use.

The best dry lube I've found is Wurth "High Performance Chain Lube" which is wax based but doesn't leave unsightly white wax everywhere and has zero fling and seems to do an excellent job - well worth trying:

http://www.wurthshop.co.uk


.

[Well Oiled]

Hi, just bought an 01 650s, lovely yellow, with lowers, love at first sight!!
considering a Loobeman, or a scotoiler, or just stick to tins of spray,any advise, please.

Congrats on your buy. You won't regret it. Bought my SV in March and haven't yet lost the grin from my face every time I ride it.

Mine came with a scottoiler fitted. Works fine and can be tucked away nicely in the gap between the rear panel and the pillion underseat compartment. PM me with email address and I'll send a couple of pics of it installed if you like.

As stated above, you get a few spots on your wheel from the fling-off (Drip rate can be adjusted if you get too much fling-off), but as long as you've got oil in it you can relax knowing your chain's looked after. It has a well oiled look all the time.

I think you can get em for about £65 if you shop around.

[fred_dillon]

:) thanks for all info, first post and loads of help, great site, keep it up

[svpilot]

The best dry lube I've found is Wurth "High Performance Chain Lube" which is wax based but doesn't leave unsightly white wax everywhere and has zero fling and seems to do an excellent job - well worth trying:

http://www.wurthshop.co.uk


.

I tried this after my bike shop told me it was the best thing out there. I found my chain used to go rusty at the first hint of rain. It seemed to lubricate the chain ok, but didn't seem to offer any protection against rust :?

I have opted for a loobman now. I would go for a Scottoiler if I wasn't on a budget (aka having a mortgage). It's a good feeling knowing your chain is being lubed as you ride.

[richwill68]

I use Kal-Guard chain kote. Been round the houses with chain lubes and it's pretty much down to personal preference. Dry lubes do let the chain rust, waxes are messy, grease types (Chain-kote) fling! Oilers are best value for money and performance. :) Over to you mate! :wink:

[jonboy]

I tried this after my bike shop told me it was the best thing out there. I found my chain used to go rusty at the first hint of rain. It seemed to lubricate the chain ok, but didn't seem to offer any protection against rust :?

Well it alll depends how often you look after your chain. I wipe it and re-lube after most rides and wipe the sides of the chain with a little oil on a rag. Not a spot of rust anywhere on my chain (and yes I do ride in the rain :lol: ) and it's sparkly clean.

The Wurth dry lube is wax based but for me works extremely well, you just need to apply it more often than an oil based sticky lube which of course is more expensive, but something I'm prepared to put up with as I rather like the product.

I have opted for a loobman now. It's a good feeling knowing your being lubed as you ride.

:shock:


.

[Grinch]

I've got a loobman too.. what loob do you uses.. as I've been using engine oil but its a bit to runny. I was just trying 1 part 'can' loob to 8 part oil to thicken it up but now my bike is mashed up.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

I've got a loobman too.. what loob do you uses.. as I've been using engine oil but its a bit to runny. I was just trying 1 part 'can' loob to 8 part oil to thicken it up but now my bike is mashed up.

I've been using scottoiler stuff in mine, that I had left over. That's nearly done, so will switch to engine oil. I find the fling isn't too bad so long as I keep the amount I squeeze out of the loobman quite small... used to squeeze loads out and got lots on the back wheel... now I just give it a little bit before each 40-odd miles and there's almost no fling :D

[Grinch]

I've got a loobman too.. what loob do you uses.. as I've been using engine oil but its a bit to runny. I was just trying 1 part 'can' loob to 8 part oil to thicken it up but now my bike is mashed up.

I've been using scottoiler stuff in mine, that I had left over. That's nearly done, so will switch to engine oil. I find the fling isn't too bad so long as I keep the amount I squeeze out of the loobman quite small... used to squeeze loads out and got lots on the back wheel... now I just give it a little bit before each 40-odd miles and there's almost no fling :D

Is it keepin the chain lubed though.. does it still look wet to you?

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Yes, it does look wet - like it's been freshly oiled. Being a bit anal I always look at the chain after the ride to see if it looks good (on my last bike I allowed chain to go rusty and it wasn't much fun).

It looks as wet as when I was dumping loads (enough to almost overfill the drop-tube on the loobman) but now there's probably only 5 drips worth going in. I'm planning on just using it in the morning, not morning and afternoon like I do now and seeing what it looks like then... the less oil I use and the less that gets on the wheel, the better.

I'm sure I recall the loobman info mentioning about using it about every 100 miles, so in theory once a day then 80 miles ought to be alright. Little and often is probably better than a load in one go.