Cleaning and lubing chain?

I've had my SV650 about 3 weeks now and have done almost 1000 miles on it. I've neglected it a little bit, mainly down to ignorance with it being my first bike. It has started rattling on acceleration up to about 30 mph. The bike doesn't run as smoothly as it used to when I first bought it. After doing a bit of research, it turns out the SV needs it's chain cleaning and oiling about every 600 miles. I've done almost twice that without touching it!

If anyone could explain how to do it and what products I need I would really appreciate it.

From what I can gather, first I need to clean the chain with a toothbrush and WD40 (some people say WD40 works, some don't). Then after it's clean, I need to oil it. Which oil do you recommend? Also what is the difference between lubing and oiling? Same thing?

Thanks!

I've heard a paraffin bath (no more than 10 minutes) is good, just make sure you get it out otherwise the O-rings could be affected.

As for regular maintenance, if you dislike having to remember to lube it, I can't recommend a Scottoiler highly enough. I bought one for £67:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottoiler-m...6854135&sr=8-1

No need to lube after one of those is fitted.

I just used some Muc-Off chain cleaner from Halfords and cleaned the chain up with a toothbrush and cloth. Just keep moving the bike along and clean a section at a time. Keep your fingers away from the sprockets to be safe. Then use a chain oil/lube. I used Muc-Off PTFE chain lube for this. I gave the chain a spray more often than 600 but just adhoc when I remembered.

I now have a Scottoiler. If you can't afford a new one, keep an eye on the forum and you might find a second hand one in a couple of months for £40 ish.

Oh and keep an eye on your chain tension.

As others have said.

Clean with paraffin, and relube with your choice of the many thousands on products out there.

Or, buy a scotoiler and save yourself the hassle.

Lots of threads on here about the topic.

Shane I dont practise what I preach!

[Geodude]

I like the wurth dry lube and cleaner stuff used with a chain brush or monkey tail while on my paddock stand so i can turn wheel freely.

I used that Wurth stuff but I didnt buy another can after I finished the 1st.

It still flings, although not as much, but the fact that it is "dry" meant I couldnt tell when my chain was actually dry and needed more. I never keep tabs on mileage either, so if anything I ended up over compensating just in case.

Just finished a can of silkolene which was good, but not something I will buy again either. I have this feeling it washes off too quickly in the rain, and that contributed to fooking my chain up at the last AR. I lubed it at every stop (except ciggy breaks) yet by the end of the AR my chain has stretched so much it had started carving through my swingarm.

Definately Scotoiler next.

I use the dry lube and love it, but im a bit anal and use it every 150 miles, and keep a small can in my panniers. I dont have any problems with 'fling'. I clean the chain with paraffin every 500 miles or so. I bought a 5 litre bottle from homebase for a fiver 2 and a half years ago and am still only half way through it

I havent seen those chain brushes before but I might get one, I only ever clean the side I can see properly!!

I've cleaned my chain twice, I have the same bottle of paraffin from Homebase lol.

I got about 10k out of my chain since I had the bike, and christ knows what from previous owner, so I guess its not too bad.

Literally went from fine to f**ed in the space of 600 miles though.

[Bibio]

put bike on abba stand, put bike in gear spray on some cleaner take bike out of gear, get jet wash gun, put bike in gear and jetwash the muck off take bike out of gear, set scotty to prime, put bike in gear and spin till chain has a nice coating of oil.

only time i have had to adjust chain is when i put a new tyre on