Futura Chain Maintenace

[Jalpa_Mike]

I've seen some posts here on various chain lube and cleaning techniques.

How do you folks feel about WD-40? I've got 2 friends who swear by this stuff! One has a Triumph Daytona 1200 with over 20K on it, and never had a problem.

He said he cleans his chain with it, sprays it on, wipes it off, lets it dry overnight and presto.

Just curious what ya'll think about it.

Mike
'04 "Red" Futura

[The Fixer]

I use WD 40 to clean my chain sometimes (and then chain wax) but it's not going to last long enough to be a good chain lube. I even think I heard somewhere that it's not all that good for rubber either. (o-rings)

[Chuck B]

WD40 is NOT a lube Its a "water displacement" product. Ok to use to rid your chain of water but thats it. Fact is modern Oring, Xring etc chains do a pretty good job lubricating internally. Your job is to make sure the chain stays clean, rust free and looking good on the outside. I use a 90wt oil applied sparingly with a rag. If the chain is caked in dirt then I'll use kerosene. All my chains regularily exceed 20K miles....though by then its time to keep a close eye on it.

[idahoskiguy]

WD-40 IS NOT A LUBE! DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE LUBE YOUR CHAIN WITH WD-40!!!!!! Almost any other product will be a better choice.

[keithroxx]

the O rings keep the links running smoothly. the problem is that the rollers need some sort of lube cushion against the sprockets. I use mobile 1 synthetic gear grease. I clean the chain with de-natured alcohol, then after the chain has been ridden and "warmed up" a bit, I apply the grease on the rear sprocket, a little on each tooth while spinning the chain until the rollers all have a "light" coat. It provides a nice lubricated cushion.

[day004]

WD is Not a lube... But Its an awesome cleaner. On my maintainance interval I put some old newspaper under the wheel/chain area, spin the wheel and give the chain a good spritz of WD. I use my old sweatsocks to wipe the chain and sprocket plus the swingarm and anyplace else that needs it. Wipe it dry and then use BelRay "SuperClean" chain lube. That leaves is with that nice gray/white covering that looks brand new.......

[The Mechanic]

WD40 is a lube...its just not heavy duty like engine or transmission oil. Because it is a water displacement and general LIGHT quality lubricant it has no lasting properties save for holding bacl corrosion a little. NOT for chains.

Good for general cleaning, but kerosene/paraffin is better for 'O' ring chains.

Chain wax/lube sprays should be applied when the chain is warm and then left overnight (for example) to allow the lube to dry on. If you spray and ride then the chain lube will fling off almost straight away. Hence the mess on the rear wheel rims usually.

The 'O' ring chain does have it little problems, the 'O' ring seals actually cause added friction/binding. Multiply each chain rings friction by the number of links and you soon have a slight power loss problem. Constant and steady lubrication over comes this.....SO FIT A CHAIN OILER.

Try it for yourselves, bike on centre (center) stand and spin rear wheel. WD40 or kerosene the chain and then spin the wheel, goes easier doesn't it?

Lightly oil chain and it spins easily, try the same test after chain wax/lube spray...chain slows rotation down....same test with a Scotoiler and there is minimal friction loss and the chain is a more efficient method of transmitting power once again

End of sermon.....'X' ring seal chains offer less frictional loss than ordinary 'O' ring seal chains, less surfacer area to rub/bind....so race specialists tend to go this route. If they want their chains to last, otherwise they'll use an ordinary seal less chain.....Blessed are they that follow ASH Black's.

[Befbever]

Well said, Mechanic.

[Dan]

First, I warm mine in the toaster, then slather it with butter. Mmmmm.... good!

[meanstrk]

The previous owner of my Futura used only WD-40 and since I have heard so much controversy, I am continuing with it on the Futura as an experiment. Currently, the bike has 4800 +/- miles on it and I have yet to adjust it in any way. My other bike stats are as follows so far:

Katana- Sitting with 42,000 miles on it. I have put 3 chains on the bike and none have lasted any longer than 13K using PJ1 Blue lube with cleaning about every 1K miles

Bandit- Currently with 26,000 plus miles on it and it's second chain which was installed at 13K. I installed a Scottoiler at around 15K and the chain has LOTS of life yet and looks like new. The Bandit is riden extremely hard on Sunday rides and in the mountains and so far I have been amazed the chain has lasted like it has.

The Ninja is a non player since it has less than 2K on it.

I ONLY use DID ZVM X-Ring chains, so they are quality chains, and replace sprockets and chains as a set unless something gets worn early like my Bandit which toasted a front sprocket in 10K with the current chain. I suspect that the sprocket was not hardened as well as it should have been.

At any rate, I know of at LEAST 5 others that SWEAR by using WD-40 and nothing else, so I am giving it a shot. My current methods are to give it a spray at every fill up, which only takes a moment, and after any rain action.

[The Fixer]

WD is Not a lube... But Its an awesome cleaner. On my maintainance interval I put some old newspaper under the wheel/chain area, spin the wheel and give the chain a good spritz of WD. I use my old sweatsocks to wipe the chain and sprocket plus the swingarm and anyplace else that needs it. Wipe it dry and then use BelRay "SuperClean" chain lube. That leaves is with that nice gray/white covering that looks brand new.......

That's exactly what I do...even the tube socks part, except I'm using Castrol Chain wax.
And WD40 IS a lube. Even water can lubricate. It's just not enough for chains.

[curver900]

I have used WD40 exclusivly for over 110k miles on 3 bikes and have never had a chain last less than 25k. Because it doen't have the grit attractor that all the waxes do the chains don't get nearly as dirty. The scott oiler is the best solution just haven't had the energy or time to do it... one shot of WD40 after riding or every 300 mi or so and all is good...

[woodman]

Has anyone tried any other light lube besides WD-40?

There are light lubes like CRC Powerlube, Remington Wonderlube and Prolong SPL100 along with alot more I don't know about that are suppose to contain magical ingredient to provide excellent lubrication with no mess.

Anyone??

[bikpaintr]

As you guys know by now I'm firmly in the Scottoiler camp. I NEVER have to waste time cleaning my chains because the light Scottoil doesn't seem to attract any dirt. My chains always look clean & well lubed (currently have 3 S/Os in use) & chain adjustment is almost a thing of the past.

[RAS]

read an article online somewhere about chain maintenance and they recommended against WD40 cause of its' penetrating ability. It seeps past the o rings and thins the factory installed grease that the o rings are meant to hold in. they showed a picture of a cut open chain that had been lubed with nothing but WD. it was nice and clean outside, but actually rusty and dry on the inside. S/O oil, auto tranny fluid, gear oil, & chain lubes won't get past the orings, but do a nice job of keeping the orings soft and providing a cushion for the rollers.