rusty chain is it scrap?
 

im a bit worried folks. Just got in and its light for a change so i took look at my chain. I Last lubed and cleaned it about 200 miles ago. Ive previously been using castrol chain wax and when i lubed i i used about 1/4 of a can. previously this has kept the chain in tip top condition. This time i used wurth dry chain lube. It looked a lot thinner than the chain wax so i wacked about 1/3 + of a can on it (tbh more te merrier imo) nowthen having a look at the chain it looked a little rusty around the pins not a lot just a really little bit. Now i got a good look around the the back of the chain (where its more exposed) and its covered in surface rust!!!!

now firstly im worried about why its happened and secondy is the chain now scrap? Also (appart from getting a scotoiler) how to top it happening. Lastly i thourght this wurth stuff was supposed to be the bee's kneees and its not lasted as long as the castrol stuff so do you think ive got a duff tin?

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

You should be doing it more than every 200 miles in this weather.

No it's not scrap, but it won't last long with that level of attention.

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

The Wurth stuff is pretty damn good at lubricating where it is needed, but it can come off of the exposed surfaces of the chain more easily. It won't have done any damage to your chain in 200 miles.
The thing with dry lube is that it needs reapplying more often. You could always apply dry lube to the inside of the chain and then lightly brush fresh engine oil onto the more exposed areas, or just use an oily lube.

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

I really like the wurth stuff, but at this time of year, you need to clean and lube your chain alot more often than every 200 miles you have been doing, The salty wet roads we get at this time of year arent good for chains or bike in general.

If its just surface rust then its nothing to worry about, if its not it might be more serious than that, but I doubt your chain is scrap.

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

If the rust has caused pitting, then yes. If it is light surface rust that can be cleaned of easily <snipped> then no. A chain oiler is a good idea.

Cheers

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

Clea with with some parrafin, then use something a bit thicker. I noticed my chain had a bit of rust on it the other day, so I cleaned it up. Good as new now (well, not really, but it looks and feels better)

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

For me the dry lubes don't work at this time of year. I only use that stuff when all the grit and slime has gone (If I did not have a gold chain on another bike I probably would not even bother with dry lube (HG stuff I think))

£8 or something for a BIG can of oily Silkolene lube. Does the job better. If you are using it everyday a quick look to see the chain wet ,gives me peace of mind. 120miles per week and I am at most spraying it twice when I come home.

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

Buy a Scottoiler - spray lubes are more hassle than they are worth and an expensive way to lube a chain. You still need to keep an eye on the chain with a Scottoiler, but it's a whole lot less bother.

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

Cheers for the info guys, Ill give it a propper clean soon and have lubed it up in the meantime to protect it.

Any ideas where i can get a really cheep scottoiler? like a tenner :)

Anyhoo how often do you guys clean your chain then. i thourght about 200 miles was about right. Should it be like 100?

hope you all had a good chrimbo though. I got a fender extender :)

Re: rusty chain is it scrap?
 

Won't be a Scottoiler or automatic, but you could probably do a squeeze bottle with a hose for a tenner. Just give it a squirt as you ride out of the driveway each morning. I believe there is one commercial product that operates on this principle. It might take a little scavenging to find the right bottle.

I clean my chain with kero as a Sunday morning ritual regardless of mileage.

Cheers

Matt