Random thoughts

[Nortoon_imp]

The CB 1100 comes with one of two types of chain. DID or RK (mine is an RK) Here's what the mfg of the chain suggests for maintenance

http://global.rk-japan.co.jp/products/te...intenance/

Here is what DID advises

http://www.didchain.com/chainMaintenance.html

I believe these recommendations are echoed by Honda in your owners manual only I believe I read Honda suggests 80 wt gear oil as a lubricant (been 4 years since I opened my owners manual so that could be wrong)

My personal maintenance was a bit less than what they all recommend. When it looks dry or gets noisy or after I've ridden in the rain, I lube it. I currently have 35,469 miles on my chain, but have a new RK chain and sprockets on hand ready to install or have installed one of these days. (Can't believe what a chain and sprockets costs these days)

I was surprized when they shows bare hands while doing chain maintenance. I assume the chemicals in chain cleaners and lubes are not good for one's health. I dust my hands with baby powder and wear inexpensive nitrate gloves. That keeps my hands clean and safe from sprayed chemicals.

As suggested I do spray the cleaner on paper shop towels rather than all over the chain, swing arm and garage floor. It would be difficult to hold paper towels behind the chain with one hand, the spray can cleaner in the another, and turn the rear wheel with a third.

From the recycle bin, I use a store flyer or two under the chain to catch any excess chain lube. Like Lemmy HD of Revzilla fame, I now apply chain lube by using the sprocket as a guide for the plastic spray can tube. That way it gets on the chain rollers not the swing arm, spokes, rim, rear tire and garage floor.