Lube-free chain and sprocket setups.

J

jfman

Been Around the Block
If one isnt too concerned with chain longevity, what's a good setup for those who dont want that icky lube on their chains?

Bike will do maybe 500 miles a year if that.

I seen a few dirtbikes wil bright colored chains and they dont seem to use lube...
 
I ran an X-Ring Chain on an old GS1000. Every now and then I soaked it with WD-40, then wiped it down, just to keep it clean.

A good chain does not need all that snot sprayed on it. The rollers are sealed.

I have an X-ring on my Bonneville, and I plan on running an X-ring on my current project too.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
WD40 IS NOT A LUBRICANT
You will significantly lower chain life if you use it for anything other than cleaning (not my opinion, several magazines have done chain lube tests over many years)
Use a dry lube or normal chain lube but let it 'dry' overnight
If your worried about bike getting dirty, your definitely in the wrong game ::)
 
crazypj said:
WD40 IS NOT A LUBRICANT
You will significantly lower chain life if you use it for anything other than cleaning (not my opinion, several magazines have done chain lube tests over many years)
Use a dry lube or normal chain lube but let it 'dry' overnight
If your worried about bike getting dirty, your definitely in the wrong game ::)
Click to expand...

The outside of a chain needs no lubricant. D.I.D. says to use chain lube to "protect the chain from corrosion." With an O or X ring chain, all the bits that need lubricating are sealed. You couldn't lubricate them if you tried.

WD40 is not the recommended protectant, agreed. But I put some 8K miles on the X-ring chain on my big Suzuki with no appreciable wear (it probably went much farther, but I sold the thing, so I can't tell).

Still, all that is needed is some manner of corrosion protection, and for this D.I.D. recommends a light chain oil, most of which is then to be wiped off the chain. Those sticky, nasty, gunky, snot-like "chain oils" quickly attract and hold dirt and grit, turning into something more closely related to valve grinding paste that any sort of lubricant.

What are you trying to lubricate anyway? As I said, all the bearings are inside the sealed area of an ) or X ring chain. The outside of the roller needs no lubricant, it "rolls" in and out of the sprocket. You don't pour oil on the outside of the engine (unless you ride a British motorcycle... they do that for you).

As for getting my bike dirty, I never mind that. It washes quite well. But I prefer to keep lubricant in the areas that require lubrication. Engine oil goes in, not on the engine. Transmission or primary oils go in those places, not on the outside of the cases. Bearing grease goes in the bearings (like the chain, the newer ones are sealed). I can spray all the lube I want to on a sealed bearing, but all I accomplish is making a mess. :)

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
The pins and inside of bushes have sealed in lube but the rollers and outside of bushes don't have anything to protect them unless you apply it.
The main reason for 'sealed' chains is to protect he pins so they are far less likely to wear then break.
Rusty side plates can also fail
I have no doubt there was minimal wear on pins at 8K, the rollers are a different matter though.
BTW, it wasn't directed at you but the OP
as for "o' ring chains, not all bikes can use them, they are wider than a stock chain and can cause serious problems
 
crazypj said:
The pins and inside of bushes have sealed in lube but the rollers and outside of bushes don't have anything to protect them unless you apply it.
The main reason for 'sealed' chains is to protect he pins so they are far less likely to wear then break.
Rusty side plates can also fail
I have no doubt there was minimal wear on pins at 8K, the rollers are a different matter though.
BTW, it wasn't directed at you but the OP
as for "o' ring chains, not all bikes can use them, they are wider than a stock chain and can cause serious problems
Click to expand...

As the roller rolls in and out of the sprocket, that pretty much negates any wear.

As with any piece of equipment, a chain MUST be kept clean and protected from corrosion. During riding season, I probably wiped my chain down once a week. 8K miles later it looked pretty much like it did when I installed it. If you aren't going to maintain it, it doesn't matter what chain you use, it will rust and bind.

You are correct that not all bikes can use O or X ring chains, at least not without some modification. On my Triumph I had a set of 520 sprockets made so I could run an X-ring as a 520 X-ring is around the same width as the original 530 chain. Given the advances in chain technology, the newer 520 X-ring is probably stronger than the old 530! On my current build (a 76 KZ750B), I plan on doing the same.

In any case, no harm, no foul... it's a discussion, right. :)

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
TommyRocker said:
500 miles a year?

???
Click to expand...

I have four bikes and one scooter. The cafe is going to be for messing around the neighborhood and tinker on.

I asked about the chain because it needs replaced and I seen some setup that eith have no luve or use very little lube.
 
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