The CB1100 Community Forum

Way back in the day, before X and O ring chains, I painted 90 wt gear oil onto a warm chain with a small paint brush, but now I use a spray can of chain lube every so often.

I have a large, round, flat tin of chain grease, where the idea is to put it on a low heat and, after degreasing the chain, you boil it in this oil for a while. Then take it out, hang it up and let it stop dripping before refitting it to the 'bike.

I did this just once, back in the '60s, but what a messy job!

'O' and 'X' ring chains have put a stop to this practice. I'll be doing it to my Yamaha and BSA chains eventually, both original chains from the 1960s.

FortNine a video on this very subject last year. Wouldn't you know, what Honda recommended won out - regular old rear end gear lube was best.
My bad, it was THREE years ago. Dang, where does the time go?

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s

(05-21-2022, 11:39 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]FortNine a video on this very subject last year. Wouldn't you know, what Honda recommended won out - regular old rear end gear lube was best.
My bad, it was THREE years ago. Dang, where does the time go?

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s

A sexier lube seems to get the most attention.

Gear oil? Not so much.

(05-21-2022, 11:39 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]FortNine a video on this very subject last year. Wouldn't you know, what Honda recommended won out - regular old rear end gear lube was best.
My bad, it was THREE years ago. Dang, where does the time go?

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnPYdcbcAe0&t=5s

I saw that video, but was surprised because he doesn't appear to follow the instructions for the Chain Wax.

I put it on when my chain is still warm from riding. Then I let it sit for 30 minutes or more to harden up.

Once the chain wax hardens, it doesn't splatter.

But... but... but... Don't the 'X' / 'O' rings stop the oil/grease getting into the pins where it's needed and where the pins wear?

'X' / 'O' ring chains seem to me to raise the question of whether they need oiling at all. Or is it to lubricate the junction of chain and sprocket?

(05-22-2022, 04:53 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]'X' / 'O' ring chains seem to me to raise the question of whether they need oiling at all. Or is it to lubricate the junction of chain and sprocket?

Also the inter-link area.

and to stop the side plates from rusting

Apparently the o-rings keep the lube installed when the chain was made - inside where it's needed and keeps dirt out. Yet lubing still seems to be called for. I thought it was to lube the chain sprocket interface but Fort Nine put the kibosh on that. It does seem to keep outside corrosion at bay.

Anyway, I stopped using chain lube and adopted gear oil (except for the 2014 which has a Tudor auto chain luber which seems to use some sort of gear lube).

But like engine oil - you take your money and make your choices.