09-25-2023, 11:21 AM
Tutoro natural-fed (gravity + up/down motion) auto-chain lubricator and unused synthetic 5W40 engine oil.
Round trip to the 2023 East Coast CB1100 Rally of just under 3000 kms consumed maybe 50 mL of oil and the chain was beautifully preserved and self-cleaned (perfectly juicy, not too much, not too little).
If I feel weak, I will sometimes clean the chain quickly with a generous dose of WD40 and wipe off. Never experienced disintegrating o-rings.
O-ring will definitely disappear with a mucky or un-lubed chain, and perhaps by an aggressive use of a scrubbing brush. I never scrub my chains (they don't need it since they are self-cleaning).
I used to use chain wax regularly. Seems a very long time ago now. I think my last bit of spray can chain wax will get my hedge trimmer through perhaps one more cutting season.
So in short:
Recurring chain lube cost comes down to a liter of synthetic 5W40 engine oil every 10 years or so, perhaps 60 cents a year or less and no labour effort. Just fill 'n' ride.
Round trip to the 2023 East Coast CB1100 Rally of just under 3000 kms consumed maybe 50 mL of oil and the chain was beautifully preserved and self-cleaned (perfectly juicy, not too much, not too little).
If I feel weak, I will sometimes clean the chain quickly with a generous dose of WD40 and wipe off. Never experienced disintegrating o-rings.
O-ring will definitely disappear with a mucky or un-lubed chain, and perhaps by an aggressive use of a scrubbing brush. I never scrub my chains (they don't need it since they are self-cleaning).
I used to use chain wax regularly. Seems a very long time ago now. I think my last bit of spray can chain wax will get my hedge trimmer through perhaps one more cutting season.
So in short:
Recurring chain lube cost comes down to a liter of synthetic 5W40 engine oil every 10 years or so, perhaps 60 cents a year or less and no labour effort. Just fill 'n' ride.