Oiling chain

[1100rider_imp]

How often do you oil the chain under normal operation. More than in the service manual or less.

[DAC]

Same as manual. I might go 800 miles if I get a couple longer rides in before I change it.

[Pauley]

I've been cleaning and lubricating my chain every 300-400 miles. Not because it needs it, but mostly to just spend time with my baby

[the Ferret]

I usually over oil my chains and they get all dark, greasy and gloppy looking as does the rear sprocket and rear wheel. I'm doing something different this time. Every once in awhile (no set mileage, just when I feel like it which has been twice so far) I take a rag and soak it with WD 40 and clean the chain, then I squirt some chain lube onto a rag and just run the chain through it to lubricate the inner and outer plates. I am at 4200 miles and have yet to actually spray any chain lube on the chain. We will see if it was a wise experiment or not.

[sanoke_imp]

I use Honda moly spline lube. I just smear a small amount on each rear sprocket tooth. I do it about every 500 miles when the sprocket teeth start to get shiney. I don't clean the chain, just put on the lube. Just past 17,000 miles and I only have adjusted the chain once when I changed the rear tire.

[The Spaceman_imp]

I usually over oil my chains and they get all dark, greasy and gloppy looking as does the rear sprocket and rear wheel. I'm doing something different this time. Every once in awhile (no set mileage, just when I feel like it which has been twice so far) I take a rag and soak it with WD 40 and clean the chain, then I squirt some chain lube onto a rag and just run the chain through it to lubricate the inner and outer plates. I am at 4200 miles and have yet to actually spray any chain lube on the chain. We will see if it was a wise experiment or not.

That's interesting, I'm doing almost the same thing. Since I bought the CB, I've used WD-40 exclusively to clean and lube the chain, with one exception. From time to time I'll first clean it with Dawn detergent and water. Then I'll spray the WD liberally and wipe the residual away with a rag.

At over 10k miles its working for me; the chain looks shiny and new and the rear sprocket shows no wear (haven't seen the front yet). And my wheel, inner fender, and swingarm stay clean.

I've long suspected that chain lubes create mess and wear by holding dirt and grit in the bearing surfaces and by slinging a mix of petroleum and road grunge everywhere.

I'll post a photo of the chain and sprocket when I get back from NY this weekend. They look amazing IMHO.

[Ack-CB11_imp]

I'd check the CB on the stand by spinning the wheel. Any wierd noises or alot of drag I do the lube.
My dirt bike I do every 10 hrs

[HikerToo_imp]

From my understanding, based on 20 year old info from my Kawasaki manual.
You are actually just trying to spray the pivot points on the chain, to get the "O" rings, keep them supple so the embedded grease stays in place, when the grease is gone, the chain is gone. Having lube on where the chain roller contacts the sprocket last about 10 miles.

In my opinion, wiping a chain with an oily rag would do nothing for the chain life, it only makes it shiny and wet so it make you feel better.
And from my bicycle past, wiping a chain can actually force the dirt into parts of the chain you can not get out...best to flush or soak a chain out to remove grit.
Just my opinion, knowing this may cause some debate.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/chain-lube-101

And every 500 miles I use "Maxima Chain Wax" , recommended when I bought my CB http://www.revzilla.com/product/maxima-chain-wax


Found this on another forum, where someone wrote to company that makes WD40, the one sentence I notice is that WD40 can remove some lubricants.

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Dear Loco Cabron,

Thank you for contacting WD-40 Company with regards to using WD-40 on o-rings. WD-40 is a multi-purpose light lubricating oil, which will displace water and moisture from the chain. The "WD" stands for water displacement and acts as a rust preventative on any metal surface. WD-40 will not dry out the rubber o-rings. We have found no visible effects on the surface of rubber and o-rings. Certain types of rubber will swell under prolonged immersion in WD-40 (this refers to long soaking and not just a spray).

WD-40 is also a cleaner, which will remove grime, dirt, tape, bumper stickers and oil. It is possible that if there is a special lubricant in the o-rings, WD-40 could act as a cleaner and remove that oil. The special lubricant would be replaced with WD-40. We are sure there are superior heavy-duty chain lubes on the market. There are several people who recommend using WD-40 on their chains. Perhaps some experimenting with WD-40, as a water remover and rust preventative followed by a heavier chain lube would fit your needs. The bottom line is WD-40 will not harm your o-rings, but it could remove a lubricant that was previously applied to the chain.

We recommend you only spray the area near the wheels, moving parts and other areas you want to clean off. We do not recommend spraying on the manifold or exhaust pipes. Please never spray WD-40 on a hot bike.
Thank you again for contacting WD-40 Company. Please let us know if we may be of further assistance.
Best regards,
Eva Zabowski
WD-40 Customer Service
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[Rocky_imp]

I've long been a fan of WD-40 as a cleaner on chains and on the rear rim/spokes. I wet the chain and scrub it with a Grunge brush, finishing up with shop towels and fresh WD-40.

[Houtman_imp]

I have not oiled my chains yet as I thought they were shaft drive bikes....