David, do you want to make this a sticky?
I thought I would document some chain care tips/advice for some of the newer members/riders. These are not based on science but on experience, what has worked for me in the past 37 years of riding, and maybe a bit of Voodoo. Being a Professinal Engineer I guess there might be a bit of science in it. What prompted me to write this was when today, I took my 14 year old chain off my KX500 and put it on my brand new unriden CRF450, since it was better than the brand new stock chain. I know it is an excellent brand O-ring chain, but I got to wondering if how I treated the chain those 14 years also contributed to its surprising life. So here goes. I know that other will have there own beliefs and ritual. Here's mine (Voodoo included):
I lube lots, generally at the end of the ride. Typically before the chain cools down I use a wire brush to clean off the mung and then liberally lube the chain, spraying 4 streams, each one lap around the inside of the chain, covering the inner rollers and the gap between the plates where the o-ring is. Then I put the bike away for the next ride. I like to use a chain lube that collects dirt on the outside of the chain. My present choice is the Belray clean. It's actually not that clean and goes on white but it does an excellent job of collecting dirt. With some wire brushing, the white stuff kind of balls up and rolls off the chain taking the dirt with it and leaving a suprisingly clean chain. I use Maxima clear on my CBR900RR. Some say the wire brush is taboo with an o-ring chain. I have wire brushed the Cr%@p out of the chain all those years and the o-rings still look pretty good. Every few years I throw the chain in the parts washer and scrub off any built up grime.
Tips:
1. Don't run your chain adjustment too tight. When I first get a bike I compress the suspension and line up the axle, cs sprocket and swingarm pivot with a pole to put the chain at it's tightest spot, then adjust it to have a tiny amount of slack. Once the suspension is relaxed then I mark the upper/lower range of the chain slack (usually on the airbox flap), making small grooves with a file. Then I forever know exactly how tight I can adjust the chain.
2. Avoid WD40. I very rarely use WD40, maybe only a light spray to protect a washed chain from rusting, then wiped off. WD40 is an excellent penetrant and solvent. With those properties it can nicely penetrate the o-rings and wash out the lube. I know it does it to bearing so it must do something to chains.
3. Avoid pressure washing your chain. As a bonus this also extends the life of suspension linkages. I powerwash my bike maybe one or two times a year, garden hose and brush all the other times.
I hope this helps someone. Cam.
