Chain Lube

Recalling early ads touting then new O-ring style chains, which claimed no need to lube because internally lubed for life with O-rings keeping the internal lube inside and protecting against road gunge and water intrusion from the outside.

Buying into this meant occasional light oil spray to help prevent unsightly rust on the chain (which actually worked surprisingly well for many miles).

And then the chain lube vendors convinced us that the life-time internal lube did in fact eventually ooze out, thereby necessitating use of chain lube regardless.

Good Fortune!

I've had excellent results with Bel-Ray "Clean". Works as BountyHunter describes as well.

bountyhunter wrote:

Took me 30 years to find it: DuPont Multi Purpose Spray Lube (with teflon) in the big blue can at Lowe's for $5. It goes on as a liquid spray to penetrate the links and the carrier dries leaving a waxy coating. It's clear, not sticky and doesn't fly off and make a mess. I've been using it for two years and my new chain hasn't needed adjusting. Works better than the other stuff.

I got 35,000 miles on my x-ring chain using this stuff. About 3 adjustments needed during that whole time.

Patton wrote:

Also haven't tried but will likely pass on the black paint.

Good Fortune!

Next time you're testing, give flat, semi-flat, matte and glossy a try. Then switch to the high temp grill paint and maybe polish it off with black primer?

And before we all start saying the mileage we got with our chains, first specify what chain you're running because that obviously makes a difference. If you're using a generic "eBay special" non-O-ring 530 chain, you'll only get 8,000 miles. I have a really nice ($$$) DID 630 O-Ring chain that I tightened once in 10,000 miles.

TexasKZ wrote:

bountyhunter wrote:

Took me 30 years to find it: DuPont Multi Purpose Spray Lube (with teflon) in the big blue can at Lowe's for $5. It goes on as a liquid spray to penetrate the links and the carrier dries leaving a waxy coating. It's clear, not sticky and doesn't fly off and make a mess. I've been using it for two years and my new chain hasn't needed adjusting. Works better than the other stuff.

+1

more than 19,000 miles and counting, chain and sprockets look virtually new, no adjustment needed for last 12,000 or so.

I would add before I switched to the Dupont multi purpose lube, I tried both kinds of PJ, chain kote, and some other kinds of junk I don't remember. Never got more than 10,000 out of a very expensive chain so I was not a happy camper.

The Dupont Multi Pupose Lube is exactly the same stuff they sell as their chain lube, except it's cheaper when they label it as multi purpose lube (that according to somebody who sells it). Anyway, my new chain is not wearing much at all using it so I think it's good stuff. BTW, the chain is the X ring kind sold by Z1 which appears to be a very good chain for the money.

Patton wrote:

The problem with the Made in China stuff is that an hour later, your chain is hungry again......

Patton wrote:

Recalling early ads touting then new O-ring style chains, which claimed no need to lube because internally lubed for life with O-rings keeping the internal lube inside and protecting against road gunge and water intrusion from the outside.
///
And then the chain lube vendors convinced us that the life-time internal lube did in fact eventually ooze out, thereby necessitating use of chain lube regardless.

Good Fortune!

What convinced me the "lifetime lube" claim was BS was the fact the chains wore out at 10k miles of easy street riding. Not happy after dropping about $110 for a chain....

bountyhunter wrote:

...The problem with the Made in China stuff is that an hour later, your chain is hungry again......

:laugh: :woohoo: :laugh:

Not a problem for Ron, though.
He'll just ride over there and pick up a few cans.

a little update
i cleaned chain real good and swingarm off from the mess before.
this time i used DuPont Multi Purpose Spray Lube (with teflon) in the big blue can.
and i will say iam HOOKED
no fling off saddlebags no mess no mess on wheel where was this stuff 20 years ago

Thanks for all the replies

I use whatever is closest at hand :laugh: no. PJ1 usually.

I have to adjust my chain several times per season - even took a link out already, but its the power in the bike, not the chain being cheap, cuz it wasnt. i wish.

bountyhunter wrote:

Took me 30 years to find it: DuPont Multi Purpose Spray Lube (with teflon) in the big blue can at Lowe's for $5. It goes on as a liquid spray to penetrate the links and the carrier dries leaving a waxy coating. It's clear, not sticky and doesn't fly off and make a mess. I've been using it for two years and my new chain hasn't needed adjusting. Works better than the other stuff.

+1
This is good stuff, and it works for more than just MC chains. Not to mention it's less than half the price of the boutique stuff available at your local shop.