I'm not sure what the previous owner of my bike used on the chain but what I know for sure that he made a mess, there was grease all over the chain cover, under the fender and back wheel, it took me 2 hours to remove all excess off grease. Now I'm looking for a good oil that stays on the chain and it wont make a mess. Let me know what you use.

* Last updated by: alohaalex on 9/13/2012 @ 9:17 PM *

Kerosine clean(handled shoe polish applicator works well(the brush ones)(soft and harmless to O-rings)...get the crap out...then dry with a hair dryer and cotton towels.....and shoot with Maxima Chain Wax...best stuff I EVER tried.Let it sit overnight....barely one or two flecks of product on my rim....works great!Heats up....'melts'...then cools again.Lasts a good 500 miles with one app.

If ya don't dry that chain VERY WELL..then apply the wax deal...you will get fling...some.If you ride right after you apply...you'll get fling.It won't be pretty.

PJ 1 was 'supposed' to be the 'most' flingless..they even say so on the can.OMG....My wheel was SOAKED with that crap in a couple of miles.REALLY a bummer~especially if yer anal like I am;)What a rip off THAT was.

I would NOT use any type of 'oil' or grease if it were me.That shit goes EVERYWHERE...except stay on the chain where it's needed!LOL!The whole left side of yer ride will be one big oil slick you use that stuff!

You're only protecting the o-rings and plate surfaces...the rollers are factory sealed....

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 9/13/2012 @ 9:54 PM *

I have always used the standard spray-on bike chain lube, I think silicone-based. I had to clean all that whitish, tar-like grease from the factory off because it got flung everywhere and was a b!$%& to scrub off. THe silicone spray also cleans your chain pretty well while lubing (I just sprayed it into a rag and spun the wheel while on the stand) and after a few min it was ridiculously shiny and clean. I heard somewhere that most people over-lube their chains, that only a few drops/1000miles is all you really need. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Cleaning is as important as lubing IMO.Grit rides in those surfaces where the O-rings(x-rings)are sitting.Grinding against the rubber and plate.Not good.I rarely used to actually 'clean' my chain on my 07.Went through two of em.51K miles.Lubing...yes...but cleaning with Kerosine...maybe once or twice.On this new bike....I'm doing things differently.

I can DEFINITELY feel the final drive being smoother after I've done both.Definitely.

Yup, grn14 is right on. I use kerosene to clean my chain every 300 - 400 miles. Dry it and shoot with Maxima Chain Wax (black and brown can) with virtually no fling and your chain will last forever.

I have both, the maxima wax mentioned above, the regular Motul chain lube and the Motorex chain lube made with teflon. I think the mistakes most people do is spraying on top of the chain and lubing when the chain is cold. You have to spray the lower part of the chain, the side that rest on the sprockets and the side facing you while you of course rotate the chain, then wipe the excess. The centrifugal force will make sure that the lube goes everywhere it is supposed to go. That is more important than the lube you use! Used to get the Maxima wax everywhere and my chain would be dry after a 100 miles!

As far as intervals go, 500 miles is fine if you haven't ridden in the rain or somewhere really dirty. 400 miles is just over cautious.

Thank you guys!

You're welcome. ^^^ Motul is great. The switched to an all black can in case you're wondering... Also their chain clean is awesome!!!

Just gave my chain a thorough tooth brush scouring after repeated spraying with a cleaner. I go over all four sides with a tooth brush for about two full rotations on a rear stand. Then after repeated paper towel wipings to get all the dirt and cleaner off, the chain seemed to be very clean and dry after letting sit a while. Then I rotated it again and gave it a good dousing with spray on white lithium grease in all the space between the links and let dry.

Some don't like white lithium grease, but as I see it, since it goes on as a liquid it gets deep in very small cracks and crevices around your seals, then it dries and firms up once its down in there. And it gets firm enought that it don't fly off when the chain is in fast rotation. But to each his own.

I also had to tighten the chain a bit after only about 550 miles on the new bike.

It takes a little time to clean and lube your chain thoroughly right, but its ready to roll, now. Clean, tightened and lubed.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 11/18/2012 @ 4:49 PM *

I go over all four sides with a tooth brush for about two full rotations on a rear stand.

Yeah I saw those and intend to get one. Sure would save time and effort.

"Motul is great. The switched to an all black can in case you're wondering... Also their chain clean is awesome!!!"

+1

I use both and they work great.

I used "Bel Ray Super Clean" at first. It leaves a white tacky film, and is somewhat thick. It dries in about 10 minutes. Not bad, but not best...

Then, "PJ1 Blue Label". It is also thick, and leaves a tacky film, but it dries clear. I like this one, but it does collect dirt and grime on that tacky film.

Now, I'm using "Liquid Performance Premium Chain Lube", the WebBikeWorld.com top pick. This one is best for me, it dries to a thin film that is not tacky. It dries in about 15 minutes to a thin, clear film and lasts a very long time. Does not collect grime. Spray on, wipe off excess. Has a teflon derivative in the formula.

For chain cleaners, I started with "Honda Pro Chain Cleaner". It works well, but requires a water rinse (most of these do).

I switched to "DuPont Motorcycle Degreaser" in the aerosol can and has 2 "episodes" in a row with the cans emptying themselves all over me and my property upon first use. I pushed the button, and they spewed their entire contents out with me frantically attempting to figure out how to stop it (I never did).

I liked the chemical itself enough to give the liquid in a bottle a try. This is great cleaning stuff and does not need a water rinse. 16 oz. bottles last a long time. I use it for all my chains now. Dump some into a bowl. Brush on with a chain "grunge brush", wait 10 minutes, and wipe off. Dump remainder back into a glass jar. Save for next time. Then apply chain lube.

Last, I apply the lube with a Grease Ninja. This little gem applies the lube to just the chain, keeping it off my tires and rims. Its a nylon part on the end of a large diameter copper wire. It uses spray can lube (yeah, lube cans dont seem to detonate on me), and attach to the can nozzle through a long thin plastic tube. I also hold the wire to the can with a large auto screw-to-tighten hose clamp. Put the Ninja on the chain, spin the wheel, push the button. Voila, chain is lubed and nothing else! Nice...

Newspaper tarp gets folded up for next time. Done.

Grease Ninja... Might have to look into this little deal here.Sounds kinda cool.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/25/2012 @ 10:50 PM *

Right, I shoulda done this already.

Here ya are, Grn:

http://www.greaseninja.com/

Thanks Meb...I did check it out...so the white plastic deal...that just 'sits' on the chain then?And you have to hold it on there as you spray?Or does it somehow manage to stay on the chain?

I use a large diameter hose clamp to clamp the Grease Ninja (GR) to the spray can of lube.

Once that's in place, I position the GR so that it "rides" on top of the chain as it moves underneath it (as I spin the rear wheel).

Clamping the GN to the can keeps me from fumbling with it, and trying to hold the can, and position everything all at once.

But, once it's in place, just push the can nozzle button and spin the wheel (slowly). It will drip onto the floor unless ya got something to prevent that (catch the drippings). I use old newspaper.

I have also learned to position the thing onto the chain riding on the rear sprocket, near the top of the sprocket (but, still on the "side"). Then, spin the rear tire so that chain "climbs" the rear sprocket. This way, when it "dribbles", the lube drips (dribbles "down") onto chain that's riding "up" the sprocket, and does not wind up as scrap on the newspaper...

If you dont do that, and use the method they show on their website, then some lube (alot) dribbles through the chain and onto the newspaper...

Still, its a great tool, saves me money and keeps lube off my tires and on the chain where it belongs.

Oh yeah, and this would be a great Christmas gift idea from someone with not a lot of cash, to you...

You cracked me up Meb!

Yeah, I do that to myself sometimes :)

and

Australian Road Rider recently did a chain lube comparo & am happy to use their No.1 outta many brands tested Like a few other bros said MOTUL for me too

Hi Bean:

...and the winner was? Wait, what? Does Motul make a chain lube? I did not know this... What do you like about it? What dont you like?

My #1, "Liquid Performance Premium Chain Lube", what I like is the Non-Sticky quality. It goes on pretty soupy, liquidy, but dries to a thin film of teflon that's non-tacky. What I dont like is, it's pretty tough to tell when the chain is dry, when it's time to re-apply. So, I look, and think to myself "Huh, looks OK. Guess I'll check in a few miles...", and then I look closer and Oops! it's ready to be re-applied. I have to look closly at the o-rings to be sure.

* Last updated by: mebgardner on 12/21/2012 @ 7:46 AM *

Does Motul make a chain lube? I did not know this... What do you like about it? What dont you like?