Chain lubricant

H

Helix

Member
What do you use to lube your chain?

I’ve been using canned spray chain lube for as long as I’ve been riding and I know a lot of manufactures recommend the use of gear oil (recently learned Yamaha recommends engine oil) is this just a heavy transmission weight oil or is gear oil something else?

I recently was given a couple bottles of Red Line MTL 75W80 GL-4 Gear Oil which I think is transmission fluid, but not a hundred percent sure and it says it’s gear oil? I know the manual recommends a SAE 90 gear oil, but can I try this? I know this is a lighter weight oil so there will be more fling… I don’t really know what the viscosity difference between the different weights are…

Correct me if I’m wrong but the main purpose of lubricating the chain is for rust protection and stopping the o-rings from drying out.

Also a side question the manual recommends kerosene or diesel oil to clean the chain. I’ve always used kerosene but also I’ve always wondered what diesel oil is? Is it just just engine oil for a diesel engine?
 
My personal opinion is that cleaning the chain is more important than lubing it. The o-rings are lubricated internally and I believe it's the accumulation of dirt and grime that wears down the chain and sprockets

I'm in the middle of an experiment where I'm just cleaning the chain on my Hypermotard, no lubricating. Gonna see how long it lasts before I need a new chain and sprocket.

I just use kerosene to clean my chain, do it every ~1000 kms, more often if it gets dirty from rain or road grime.

I do lube my dirt bike chains, I use this:


I've also used Belray NoFling in the past.

No one product that I've ever fallen in love with. Not like the Rotella guys who sleep with a jug of T-6 down their pants every night...
 
Lightcycle said:
My personal opinion is that cleaning the chain is more important than lubing it. The o-rings are lubricated internally and I believe it's the accumulation of dirt and grime that wears down the chain and sprockets

I'm in the middle of an experiment where I'm just cleaning the chain on my Hypermotard, no lubricating. Gonna see how long it lasts before I need a new chain and sprocket.

I just use kerosene to clean my chain, do it every ~1000 kms, more often if it gets dirty from rain or road grime.

I do lube my dirt bike chains, I use this:


I've also used Belray NoFling in the past.

No one product that I've ever fallen in love with. Not like the Rotella guys who sleep with a jug of T-6 down their pants every night...
Click to expand...


That’s interesting. I’ve always heard it’s more important to keep it lubricated than to clean it, since cleaning can damage the o-rings and strip grease from the pins. I thought cleaning was only needed when it’s really dirty, dusty, or after riding in the rain, etc. Am I wrong about that?


That experiment sounds interesting. I hope you share the results and talk about it throughout the experiment.
 
I use gear oil. I barely bother with any cleaning of the chain, but lately I have been giving the sideplates a cursory wipe.

90 weight might be optimal for whatever reason, but honestly I think using different weights/viscosities will barely make a difference. As far as motorcycle chains go I have basically a lifetime supply of leftover unused gear oil from transmission / diff services. Beats coughing up $20 for a can of chain wax
 
I've been using Dupont Teflon spray in its various forms over the decades. Some say it's not as good as it used to be, but I've always used it as more of a cleaner and protectant than a lube. I only clean my chain with a cloth, no brushes, and the dirtiest they are is when they're new and coated in that wax. The o-rings protect the grease inside the links, and the the purpose of chain lube is to keep sand and grit from damaging those o-rings. But when you use something like this, nothing sticks, and so thre's nothing to damage the o-rings. Having said that, I only ride on the street and don't head out when it's already raining. If I do get caught in the rain, I respray the chain once I've dried it, but that's more to keep it from rusting (if it's a natural-coloured chain).

 
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ninja3 said:
That experiment sounds interesting. I hope you share the results and talk about it throughout the experiment.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's just a hunch.

I know I get about 35-40K per chain with a typical clean+lube routine, so I want to see if I get the same, less or more mileage with just cleaning. Also sprocket wear as well. I know what my normal sprocket wear looks like when I change the chain+sprocket together. If my sprocket looks better, then I'll know that it's the lube that's attracting more dirt and wearing down the sprocket.

One thing to note is that kerosene does leave an oily film behind after it evaporates, so I think I am getting a little bit of the rust protection that chain lubes give.

Another thing that's motivating me behind this little experiment is I'm still on the original chain+sprocket. I hate throwing away a perfectly good chain and I really want to replace it with a bling gold DID and a new anodized sprocket carrier so if I don't mind if I wear through this chain faster! :D

I'm at about 12K currently, had to adjust the chain only once so far, but that was after a track day, so harder than usual on the throttle.
 
I’m in the same boat—more cleaning, less lubing. It’s even easier on the road bike, considering I don’t ride in the rain or on dusty roads. I generally try to keep the chain nice and clean, and when I lube it, I wipe it down completely right away.
I use Motul Road lube - it's transparent but extra sticky so it will attract all dust and dirt if not wiped clean. And I use Ipone Spray Cleaner - large bottle and works great.
 
I’ve always used gear oil just like every owners manual has recommended for the last 60 years, motor oil is just as good. I apply it sparingly every week or two when I check my tire pressure. I apply it sparingly so it doesn’t fling all over my rear wheel. A lifetime supply of gear oil is something like $20.
 
Right now I’m kind of doing the opposite of Lightcycle. I’m using either new or used engine oil and an old rag; preferably over a piece of cardboard. On an old bike, I did no chain cleaning/lubing and some of the links froze, which causes issues.
 
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