privateer; Thats what I do now ,but I will use the brush before (kero/rag) in the future, Any "extra amount" of grit that is "not there" is a good thing they call "preventative/miantenance": ,we can also place part of carboard behind when lube/after. JUST MY 2 BOB'S WORTH,

* Last updated by: bean07 on 8/15/2010 @ 3:29 AM *

WD40 will remove crud straight away.Use a chain wax instead of oil.

Radar Detectors For Bikes

bumping this to show blue he started a new thread for no reason.... lol

What the heck does "bump" mean anyway.I've never been able to figure that one out.Sheesh...I didn't start a new thread "for no reason" here....I wanted everyone to know how smart I am and that MY way is the BEST way...so ya'll should be following the Master here!!! WD 40 removes water...it may also remove the inner link lubricant...maybe?I would be careful about using it myself.Think I'll stick with Kerosine and Maxima Chain Wax.You don't want anything sucking the pin lube out past the 0-Rings.Just my opinion.

Isn't it usually the "carrier" in the spray that damages 0-Rings...you know,dries em out?That's what I've always heard.Once those rings begin to fail...you'll see your rim begin to get flecked with a powdery version of "chain lube fling".Might be grey,maybe reddish.It's happened to mine.On close inspection,I found the rings at several places beginning to fray.I don't know what caused it...but they all began to fail about the same time...so it could have been from using a certain type of spray cleaner on there...IDK.This last chain now...I've ONLY used kerosine and Maxima Chain wax on her..so I'll see in the future the results.So far,so good.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 11/26/2010 @ 2:14 PM *

I rest my case, blue.

On a different subject....

Regarding WD40, I'll say it again. Speaking as a machinist. WD40 is an abrasive. It may go on slick, but is not a lubricant. It is meant to loosen rust and corrosion, which is to say, clean. When it dries, the film contains granules sort of like silica. An abrasive. If you use it on your o-ring chain, the chain will fail much faster than expected, through normal wear and tear. Go ahead and use it, I don't care. LOL.

Hey, BG, this adaptivradar just joined the forum recently. Apparently to sell radar detector junk. If it was TPX, I wouldn't complain. Just saying.

* Last updated by: privateer on 11/27/2010 @ 7:11 AM *

Yes blue, we know how smart you are. "Bump" just means to get a thread back to the top of its section so others can see it easier.
And if the rest o' youse guys wanna be smart you'll clean the chain with kerosene only. Anything else will compromise the o-rings ability to stay supple and seal in the grease. I only use enough kero to dampen the rag and then wipe off, no dripping.
And thanks blue for always trying to help around here. I appreciate it! Maybe some day I'll be able to help as much with tech questions, etc.

Nah Bro,I'm just GUESSIN at stuff.Really...I don't actually know sh&^ about takin care of a high end rocketship like ours.If I get somethin right,I'm lucky!!!But thanks for the kudos anyway Bro.I am trying to help...in my feeble way.And I kid around alot...so not everything I say is "serious" stuff.There's excellent info from you guys on here about almost every facet of ZX14 care.This and the manual....seems to work pretty good.Ride safe KAK...and everyone!

I DO interject a lot of self jabbing...intended just at me...so's ya know I respect all you guys and what ya share on here.It's all good.

Everyone's bike here is the same,but different.Everyone has a different personal experience with their bike.As it should be.You can't argue with personal experience.What works for me may not work for someone else.Lots of different views on stuff and how to do things.I only try to say what was easiest for me,through trial and error normally.I don't like doing things "several" times tryin to get it right.That manual as we know is excellent,but they can't tell ya all the little in's and out's of stuff that yer gonna run into while takin care of yer bird.This is an excellent forum with LOTS of experiences here.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 11/27/2010 @ 2:38 PM *

Kerosine and Maxima Chain Wax.You don't want anything sucking the pin lube out past the 0-Rings.Just my opinion.

I third that one blue and KAK. Cleaned my chain with WD and noticed orings popping out. After I stopped using WD and switched to kero, no more orings busting out (unless they are all gone now???) I now use kerosene to clean and Maxima to lube.

Cold weather in the 40s F or lower, I feel better using a heavy, high temp axle grease (which also comes in handy for making a grease seal on the wheel bearings and axles when reinstalling, and any other thick goopey grease needs like lubing up projections inside fairings - especially on the busa). Just rub it on by hand over the whole chain. It's kind of a sexy experience in a sick perverted motorcycle kind of way. IMHO, Maxima will not heat up on the chain enough in cold weather conditions. The chain runs kind of stiff until the wax softens up with heat so I prefer the axle goop because it is softer at lower temps.

I know I'm not doing the same as you guys but,,,, (dirt biker at heart, old ways die hard),,,,, Dirty chain gets WD-40. Rub down next, then soaked in chain wax or what ever is your lube of choice is( I have tried them all), then a rub down again. Go 4 a ride (heat), when back, rub down again. I do not let the chain soak in WD-40, lol. Like reported above WD is a abrasive. WD-40 is a Great FAST cleaner, this is why we are useing it in the first place, correct. No ? If you dry off the chain and lube it straight away, no harm no foul. Leave WD-40 on the chain or use it as a lube alone and it cuts when mixed with sand & dirt.

Is this the way to get 40 tho miles out of a chain ????????????????? I'm not the guy to give that info, slack in the links she's in the dumpster. Miles mean nothing. My 2 cents

I'm contemplating replacing the stockchain with 25,000 miles on it to a high performance chain. No orings, xrings or anykindofrings to worry about....just more frequent lubing.

EEEEEKKKK....Rookster!May I give my heartfelt opinion.NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stick with yer tested and true X or O ring.Kawasaki would have said..."why, yeah,it's cool.Get ya a non-ring chain...No prob.Just lube every ride and have fun!" Safety my man....safety.If ya just take a bit o' time every several hundred miles and inspect/clean if necessary,and use a quality chain lube...she'll be worry free.Personally,I'd not go with a "metal on metal" link situation.Too much can happen unseen in there.I also found this BIG difference out.I actually followed the directions on the Chain Lube(Maxima Wax) Warming the chain up...like in coming back from a ride...THEN applying and letting sit overnight...WOW!I think I could count the TINY spots of fling on one hand on the next ride.Seriously....I was blown away!THE NEXT RIDE....nothin.Nada.Unless yer in a seriously dirty riding environment,the Chain Wax will protect the links and O rings for 4,5,600 miles easily.Comes right off with the Kero.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 11/30/2010 @ 12:46 AM *

No prob.Just lube every ride and have fun!"

Damn, every ride, huh-? I was hoping every 500 miles maybe but every ride?.........I might think this over a bit. Stopping to lube would be a PITA if I go on longer trips.

Hi Guys ive been using a scottoiler on my bikes for the last 15 years or so, and would obviously recommend them.I have the touring kit that has a resevoir for oil behind the number plate, here in the UK.
I does have a vacuum valve that starts /stops oil feed depending on wether or not the engine is running.
you can direct the oil to any position on the chain ,I have mine routed to just in front of the rear sprocket on the lower run.You can regulate the feed to either clean the chain off with loads/or if its wet or just have a tiny drop when riding slowly....I like the system and my chains have generally lasted 18 to 20,000 miles.
I do also keep a can of lub in the garage if i run out of oil........would recommend it though

Well Rook...I was being a bit facetious...ya,but lubing would be way more frequent for a non o ring chain...at least that's what I would be doing....lubing it all the time.No thanks.Now if ya had a center stand...then it would be different.But I still wouldn't want a non-o ring chain on MINE.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/10/2010 @ 7:08 AM *

I'm not the guy to give that info, slack in the links she's in the dumpster. Miles mean nothing. My 2 cents

bin using chain wax since day 1, love the stuff

When I need to lube the chain I wear my metal shoes and head down a long staightaway with a good head of steam and jump off the back with my chain wax in hand grabbing ahold of the bike it tows me along as I spray wax on the chain. It's very important not to get hot wax in the eyes so I always lower my helmet visor for safety. Of course, there's no sense in waxing a dirty chain so I usually hose the chain down with some purple power cleaner and wipe with a shop cloth first to bring back the shine then let 'er spin a bit to dry out before applying the wax.