Wax or Lube??

[BillyC]

Wax does the job, but as mentioned, it is really very messy. The wax tends to accumulate dirt and filth, which turns the wax into a grinding abrasive paste - which obviously advances the wear on your chain and sprockets. Then when it comes to cleaning your chain, sprockets, swingarm etc, you'll need a really good degreaser to clean off the gunge left by the wax.

Oil has advantages - it washes dirt away from your chain as it flows through it, and it's much easier to clean off the chain. Yes, it may have to be applied more often than grease - but that's no bad thing. Yes, it tends to fling a little over your rear wheel... again, not really a bad thing - it'll probably save you ~£100 on chain and sprockets.

It's widely thought that fitting a Scottoiler will double the life of your chain and sprockets - thus easily covering the cost of itself very quickly.

If your pockets are a little tight, then follow the advice given here... don't go out and buy expensive oil or wax sprays... they contain hardly any lubricant for their size or cost. Regularly apply old engine oil - keep it in an easy dispenser under your seat (preferably sealed! ), and just apply it every few days or so.

[Biker Biggles]

Complete agreement.Old engine oil applied with a squirty thing and spread thinly with an old small paintbrush.Works well and appeals to the tight bustard in me

[Biker Biggles]

I did 16000 miles on a zx6r with hardly any chain wear,and Ive done 4000 miles on a zx9r with no wear at all so far,and about 10000 miles on the sv,chain about half worn,all using old engine oil.Stuff yer expensive lubs and waxs,Ill stick with what woks.

[Biker Biggles]

Back to school for spelling lessons,the word is works

[northwind]

Yet another vote for the Scottoiler... It's easier and works better, so where's the downside? Bit of fling from time to time and that's it.

BTW, if you read Rictus's other thread there I don't think they do the free replacements anymore- when I got the bike the oiler was really badly located, so I had to order a few parts for it- they sent them out free along with a filler tube (which HG hadn't given me with my oil, the scumbags), but when i moved it again at the end of last year they charged me for all the bits. Still reasonable mind...

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

lube is easier, but was is good if you can be bothered to use it when you come in straight after a ride and use it on a warm chain (wax melts and slides through the links) then again u should do the same with Lube, I've been using stuff from Gerick and its seems to do the job, its Prof dry lube or something (its to late to hit the garage and check)

Yeh i use this stuff too, great for dry riding in my experience as it dont do jack about the rust in the wet. Even tho it says it does.

I've been using castrol wax recently and the chain needs a serious clean now.

The best lube i used was clear and sticky as spray glue. It was given to me by the guy who fixes my punctures...he also races at the weekends.
Its Silkolene Pro and i have not seen it in the shops, but if i do i'm gettin me some more of that.

Like the HG stuff but better.

I'm off to buy some parrafin now as the weathers nice out and ideal to be doing a few little jobs on the bike

Originally Posted by jonboy

I use a piece of rag and pour a little oil on and then wipe it thoroughly over the chain to clean it one section at a time and this also lubes it nicely. Needs to be done every 100 miles though.

Every 100 miles!

That's every day and a half for me.

I use non-fling wax of any variety and the chain and sprockets have done 13k so far with little sign of wear. However, the chain has recently started getting a bit loose so could be on its way out. I wax the chain every couple of weeks to a month and clean every third wax. Seems fine.