Chain lube frequency?

[mike1161_imp]

I've been using Maxima chain wax for quite a while, usually every 300-400 miles or so. It works great, it's safe for o-rings, and nothing ever flings off (it dries a few minutes after applied). It really doesn't attract much dirt or grime at all, so the chain actually stays very clean, but every once in a while, I clean the chain & rear sprocket with kerosene, which doesn't seem to have caused any effects to the o-rings at all.

[redbirds_imp]

My home is 1 mile from the first pavement and the road is usually quite sandy which means more frequent chain maintenance. The best lube I've found for not attracting sand is the Dupont Chain Lube at Lowes. It's far cheaper than the sprays that are motorcycle specific also. I clean the chain with kerosene, blow it out and dry with an air hose and rags and then lube.

[SanPete_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

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[the Ferret]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk [url=http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free

Me too, although I do believe one could get 30,000 out of a modern oring chain without even lubing it as long as you didn't live in a gritty, dirty area. You would have to keep up on adjustments though. I'm not trying it, but I net it could be done lol

[ride4now_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

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It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk [url=http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free

Me too, although I do believe one could get 30,000 out of a modern oring chain without even lubing it as long as you didn't live in a gritty, dirty area. You would have to keep up on adjustments though. I'm not trying it, but I net it could be done lol

Me too, although I do believe one could get 30,000 out of a modern oring chain without even lubing it as long as you didn't live in a gritty, dirty area. You would have to keep up on adjustments though. I'm not trying it, but I net it could be done lol
I have read as much as I can about chain maintenance and probably have come away more confused than when I started. Some people just let them go and others can be meticulous and sometimes the results are the same. I think (dont know) that it is kinda like oil changes. Its not what you use but just so that you try to use something on it at reasonable intervals and hopefully it will extend the life of the chain and sprockets.

[redbirds_imp]

There is a company called Scoot Works that makes various belt drive conversions. I've seen pics of such a conversion to a late model Triumph Bonnie.

The old Buells used belt drive of course with a tensioner pulley I think. The limited rear suspension travel of most cruiser bikes works well with a belt drive but as suspension travel becomes greater, there is a need for a way to keep an even tension on the belt to prevent slippage.

[Deanohh_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk [url=http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.
after the fourth belt broke on my Harley,(and they never broke at a convenient place or time) I put a chain on it. That was in the 90's... Maybe the belts nowadays are better than they were then.

[ride4now_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk [url=http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.
after the fourth belt broke on my Harley,(and they never broke at a convenient place or time) I put a chain on it. That was in the 90's... Maybe the belts nowadays are better than they were then.

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.
after the fourth belt broke on my Harley,(and they never broke at a convenient place or time) I put a chain on it. That was in the 90's... Maybe the belts nowadays are better than they were then.
Remember when we had to change radiator hoses? When's the last time you had to do that? I'm sure the belts are better... chains too. I just hate having to do that one/two extra steps from time to time.

[RetroKitch_imp]

Waiting for the day a maintenance free chain that last 50k is available.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk [url=http://'http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10']now Free

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.
after the fourth belt broke on my Harley,(and they never broke at a convenient place or time) I put a chain on it. That was in the 90's... Maybe the belts nowadays are better than they were then.

It's called... a BELT! And I wish the CB had one. I've never had to do anything to the belt on my HD... it's 10 years old with 22000 miles on it. And... the rear wheel stays clean! What a concept.
after the fourth belt broke on my Harley,(and they never broke at a convenient place or time) I put a chain on it. That was in the 90's... Maybe the belts nowadays are better than they were then.
I once thoughts belts were the way to go too but after dealing with the PITA rear wheel removal / installation and subsequent belt adjustment / alignment on my Triumph Thunderbird 1600 cruiser, I'll never buy a belt driven bike again.

I still like to pull my own wheels for tire changes and my three old Hondas are a comparative joy to work on for rear wheel removal including sproket and chain replacement thanks to the built in center stands as well as make chain cleaning and lube a snap IMO.

Don't get me wrong, a properly adjusted belt will last a long time and may be easier to deal with on other makes than my Triumph but for me I can still live with a chain...especially on machines like the CB1100 and her numerous ancestors