In the July issue of Motorcycle Consumer News their product reviewer found the product "Dupont Chain-Saver" (now manufactured by Finish Line) to be inferior to the original Dupont product. Their testing further revealed that this re-badged product failed to provide sufficient chain protection (dry, noisy and kinked kinks!) with-in 400 miles of riding- especially at freeway speeds.

I really liked the way "Chain-Saver" kept the chain nice and clean, but so ,apparently, would tap water. I had been using PJ1 Blue Label prior to "Chain Saver" and will probably go back to it. The PJ1 remains tacky but does seem to perform as advertised. Unfortunately "Chain-Saver" according to MCN does not. Comments?

* Last updated by: bluestar on 6/29/2013 @ 7:44 AM *

thanks for info. Goes to show products do not necessarily take the oath of "first do no harm".

Never tried anything but Maxima spray on chain wax, myself...or axle grease in the cooler weather.

Any product that goes on clear and then dries to an invisible film isn't worth a crap as a high-pressure lubricant. Tried to argue that point once on another website and was shouted down by those who swore by it. It may be good for keeping the rollers from rusting, but beyond that, it's useless. I use Bel-Ray Superclean, and while it does require occasional chain cleaning, there's no fling on the rear wheel and tire and it does a decent job of lubing the roller-to-sprocket tooth interface. Has anyone tried Bel-Ray Blu-Tac? It's a relatively new product of theirs that's supposed to require less chain cleaning.

Danno:

No, I have not tried this new stuff, but... I'm not here to shout you down. I may be able to learn something from you. Would you please tell me why you believe that a clear drying film is no good as a high pressure lubricant?

I promise to be respectful, and to listen.

I'm using the Bel-Ray Superclean too. 5,000 miles now and only one chain adjustment needed. It's probably due to be checked again. The stuff goes on white and looks kinda milky til it dries and gets worked in. Then it turns slightly clear. I had a tiny bit of fling-off but not much. So far so good!.

* Last updated by: jmartin724 on 7/23/2013 @ 2:35 PM *

I tried that Dupont stuff...personally...I didn't feel it worked all that well...it flung off even after it sat all night.And it seemed kinda thin anyway.I stopped using it after one application.Maxima chain wax has really been a good performer for me.Put it on after a ride....within an hour...it will not fling off....at all.And it remelts once you start riding...yet without flinging.Pretty cool IMO.Been using it now for several seasons....no apparent x-ring premature failure that I've been able to detect.I clean my chain with kerosine and blow dry(hair dryer)...then apply the Maxima.Great combo.Can run for 600 miles or so with one application...but I usually apply about every other ride.

Bel Ray PJ1 was the worst.Flew everywhere...a total mess.The rear rim was totally covered...even onto the sidewall.And I applied it as per instructions.I couldn't believe it when I looked down at the rear after riding for 70 miles or so....thought I'd broken an oil line or somethin.It was that thick on everything except the chain;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 7/23/2013 @ 6:20 PM *

I really like using plain old high temp axle grease. I don't slop it on, I rub it on enough that it is visible on the chain but not caked on. If you don't overdo it, it won't fling off too much. Nice thing is that the stuff that does shoot off comes off the rim and undertail so easily with a rag. The downside, I doubt this stuff penetrates nearly as much as the spray-ons. Its viscosity remains the same regardless of temp. It will not get liquid when applied to a hot chain. That's why it stays on the chain so nice.

I trade off between Maxima and axle grease. Maxima attracts a lot more dirt than grease. Grease is pliable at low temps....they boith have pluses and minuses so I flip between both. Applying a very light coat of both might be the best thing.

I have used DuPont Chain Saver and have no problem but I clean my chain very often. I like the DuPont Multi- Use Lubricant a little better than the Chain Saver, seems thicker.

" Maxima attracts a lot more dirt than grease"...I actually get a more 'dry' appearance with the Chain Wax rather than more grit.I clean her fairly regularly nowadays....bout every 4th ride or so.

No, I have not tried this new stuff, but... I'm not here to shout you down. I may be able to learn something from you. Would you please tell me why you believe that a clear drying film is no good as a high pressure lubricant?
I promise to be respectful, and to listen.-mebgardner

Pour a gearbox or a differential full of clear silicone after draining the 80/90W hypoy out and you will find out in a hurry.

Any lubrication works by keeping the mated parts separate. So either a heavy lubricant or a constant supply of fresh lighter lubricant is necessary to avoid metal-to-metal contact in a hot, high-pressure environment.

Silicone spray such as the DuPont product is good for sliding metal window sashes where the contact is light and the movement is occasional. Regular use on a motorcycle chain may keep the rollers from rusting, but that's about all it can possibly do.

* Last updated by: Danno on 7/24/2013 @ 5:21 AM *

Danno:

I got your point, and I completely agree with you. That is, a silicone based lubricant product is inappropriate for use in a hot, high pressure environment. Inappropriate for use with high speed chains, under high pressure rollers, IMHO, as well.

I do not know if the DuPont-based "Chain Saver" product is one of these...

But, I dont think all... "product that goes on clear and then dries to an invisible film" ...is a silicone based product.

This is essentially why I asked you for clarification.

So, I gave up on "Chain Saver" when I had *two* pressurized cans of the stuff (bought at Walmart), "leak out" all over my garage. I depressed the can-top spray nozzle, and when I released it, it would not shut off the spray from the can.

Jeez, what a mess that first can was. So, that day I was definitely insane. I thought, "gee I have another can of the stuff. I'll bet it wont happen twice...". Uh-Huh... All over the front garage patio with the second can. Man, I was livid, wanted to beat something badly.

Now, I use the first-rated stuff suggested by webBikeWorld.com site: Liquid Performance Motorcycle Chain Lube.

It comes out almost clear, and dries to a film. It has Teflon, and PTFE (is that the same thing?). No splatter. No fling off. So, it almost fits your description, and I needed to check that out. So, now, I'm still happy with it. It works well for me, and the chain has not required any service for many 1000's of miles now. The chain and sprockets are like new, at 11K miles (right, still mid-life).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene

Apparently Teflon is the patent name for PTFE

" Man, I was livid, wanted to beat something badly".... They took yer money AND managed to piss ya off as well....WoHoo!I know the feeling...sucks don't it?;)I used the Dupont one time....that was it...threw mine out as well!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 7/25/2013 @ 10:32 AM *

http://www.scottoiler.com/us/vsystem/vsystem.html?gclid=CPbUzIqL8bgCFZSi4AodFh8A9w
I use to use one ...I got 40 k miles from the original chain.....back when I use to
ride every day!!!! snow rain etc etc!!!

Just saw this thread, Damn DuPont ! I have two bottles of that stuff in my garage, and sure enough, it says in real small letters on the back, that it is made by Finish Line !! Even though DuPont has ther name in BIG letters every where else on the bottle, oh well maybe try motuls lube ? Dont like that white crap that the dealer used, it doesn't even clean off !

Maxima ChainWax is very good.Been using it now for over 5 years.Clean chain with Kerosine every several hundred miles...and lube with the chain wax about every third ride.DOES NOT FLING if you apply and let sit for an hour.

Does anyone else find them selves looking at other bikes chains and sprockets in disgust? I used the dupont stuff back in the day on my FZ1 and when I sold that bike it had 10K and the sprockets and chain still looked brand new. Since I have had my ZX14 I read this thread and decided not to use the DuPont and went with this Dri Lube stuff from ACE that is probably very close to the same ingredients, It sprays on clear and dries looking like a white film. Does not attract dirt which from a mechanical point of view would be the main eater of sprockets, but what do I know I was a car mechanic. And I have never cleaned my chain with anything other then WD-40 and then hose it off with the spray nozzel before washing the bike, dry bike, dry chain, lube chain and repeat every couple hundred miles. I do however notice that if i don't do this before I hit the 500 mile mark there is some added chain noise when you pull the clutch and coast almost to the point you can feel it.

I have read that WD-40 is not the best thing to clean an O-ring chain with because it supposedly deteriorates the rubber O-rings.

I use Liquid Wrench Chain Lube as a cleaner because it has lots of solvents and is O-ring safe. Seems a bit thin to actually use as your only lube.

+1 on the ix-nay on the WD-40-a. Whatever your poision, choose something that says O-Ring safe.

I'm still using the 16 oz. bottles of liquid DuPont chain cleaner. I dip the chain brush in, and scrub while using goggles, a face mask, and rubber gloves. I'm not breathing any of the micro particles the brush flings up at my face and eyes.

I use this stuff because it's "no-water" cleaning. All the crud winds up in the plastic fruit container I use to dip the brush into, or on the rags I wipe it off the chain with. I like no-water cleaning, as it does not get into the ground water around my place (other that that 1st time I described above).

I love my polished wheels, on all my bikes. Maxima Chain Wax for me. Almost NO fling off onto my wheels. Only have top re-apply when the rollers start looking a little shiny, but I used to do it every tank or two. I've had 26,000 kms on my 07 and the whole drive train still looked new. Hardly ever adjusted the chain either. Cleaned with Kerosene once or twice a season. I believe the old Dupont PTFE dry lube was THE SHIT! Since then, they changed the formula, and now it's a wet lube (chain saver). The shit stays wet too, all over your wheels and body work. I hunted high and low to get some of the proclaimed old style dry lube to try. Bought a couple of cans at an over inflated price and even had them shipped from the US. Turns out it was just the new shit in a similar label. How pissed off was I? It still sits in my shed with virtually no use for it. I tried it on my roller door and it even gummed that up. I guess it'll sit in my shed till the label is no longer legible, and discard them into the rubbish where they belong.

Ok, I'm gonna add more fuel to the fire, the OLD blue label aerosol can that said "multi-purpose" "dry wax lubricant" on the can, was good stuff, I am trying to find the spec sheet on this "old" version to see the chemical makeup of it.

The "new" yellow label squeeze bottle that says "chain saver" , is THIN AS HELL !! I have a spray can of the "new" blue label aerosol can that says "multi purpose lubricant" (does not say "dry wax lubricant" like original formula)
and even that is thicker and smells different than the new chain saver, and the new multi purpose blue can has PTFE listed (Teflon) but the chain saver that says Teflon on the label DOESN'T have it listed in the ingredient !!!
(It could still have Teflon in it, but very little I would think)

And if Finish line is saying any of the new products are like the old products, I think they are full of shit !

I e-mailed dupont to see why they changed the formula in the first place, but no response as of yet !!

Probably some freaking tree hugger crap, or maybe cheaper to make ?

Here are the spec sheets, the sheets SAY the new chain saver is like the old multi use, but I say NO WAY !!

Dupont spec sheets

* Last updated by: carabuser on 9/18/2013 @ 2:26 PM *

Mobil used to make a spray open gear lube that wasn't available off-the-shelf, but Mobil Stations all had it. When we were pups, we would fill up at the local Mobil and the old owner dude would spray our chains with it. It went on looking like tar, but when it dried, it was almost like an ash. No fling whatsoever and a good, high-pressure lube. I miss that shit.

Ok, so I read the article in Motorcycle Consumer News, and they are saying the NEW yellow label stuff is not as good as the blue label, but they are comparing the new yellow to the NEW blue, which WebikeWorld says is NO good !!

WTH !!!!!!

I ordered some Super Lube Multi purpose spray from Home Depot, will see how it works, I used to use their Dri-film lube years ago .....

I wish Dupont would have just left the original blue formula alone, it was cheap, and available right near my house

@ carabuser, that is the stuff I have used on my 14 since I had it (5500 miles now, still on first can), they sell it on the shelf at ACE hardware. I like the stuff because it does not fling anything.....But..... After about 250-500 miles you can really start to feel the chain when you pull the clutch, at first I did not realize what it was and then I diagnosed it down to the chain being dry. Also on a long ride you will notice a gold color to the chain rollers and at first I thought that stuff was letting the metal to metal heat up to much but the chain stays just warm to the touch and the gold color cleans off. All in all I like the stuff and it seems to compare to the original Dupont stuff that i used exclusivly on my FZ1 with no issues what so ever. Also with some in depth research and reading on other forums about it the company that makes it says it is used on race bikes for what thats worth. Also as far as WD-40 on an o-ring chain, I have soaked a link in the stuff for a really long time (forgot about it in the garage) with out any damage to the o-ring.

Got an email from Dupont, I was right, the reason they changed the formula! was CA BS regulations, but they found a way around it, they said the new chain saver in the yellow aerosol is the same as the old blue multi purpose,

Here is the email :

In October 2011, due to changing VOC regulations in California, we were forced to modify the Multi-Use dry wax formulation so that it no longer contains the dry wax feature. This was a big disappointment to the riding community and much misinformation was generated from this change.

The new Multi-Use formula is a wet-style lubricant (not silicone based as has been suggested by riders on forums) that does not dry as completely as the old Multi-Use formula. However, the new formula is still excellent on chains and is perfect for season-end storage and wet weather rides. The new product has a tremendous amount of corrosion protection and will help prevent a rusty chain.

The good news is that we can produce the old Multi-Use formulation labeled as DuPont Teflon Chain Saver. This is due to a section of the CARB regulations that allows specialty products to be exempt from VOC limits. Keep in mind also that we are not vastly above VOC limitations. They simply lowered it to a level that is unrealistic for many manufacturers to meet without the price of the product quadrupling or without using VOC-exempt propellants which damage your paint (e.g. Acetone). The formulation of DuPont Teflon Chain Saver is EXACTLY THE SAME as the old Multi-Use.

I know some riders on the forums and even MCN have reported differences in the formulations. The difference that they are pointing to is in the 4oz non-aerosol bottle. Most riders never used Multi-Use in the bottle format and, because they had no other alternative, when they tried Chain Saver in the bottle format, they experienced a much more runny product than the aerosol. This is always the way the 4oz bottle was with Multi-Use however nobody ever used it so they had nothing to compare the new formula to.

I promise you that there are no formula differences between the old Multi-Use aerosol and the Chain Saver aerosol. They used to run on the same production line!

If you need help finding Chain Saver, I would be happy to help. Check Walmart.com to see availability in your local store or just get your local shop to stock it via Tucker Rocky.