Chain maintenance best practices?

[glenridgerich_imp]

I was out riding this morning and a guy I was talking to said he cleans his chain every 300 miles! This seems excessive to me. How frequently do you guys clean your chain? And when you do, what is your method? Thanks in advance for your council.

[rhtizzy_imp]

Even though many dispute it, I think automatic chain cleaning is the most usefull purpose of the scottoiler. Been using it for about 4k now and am well pleased how good it is at keeping the chain dirt free on ling drives...

[LongRanger_imp]

The owner's manual recommends an inspection every 500 miles, which could include cleaning, adjusting, lubricating, or replacing. There's nothing wrong with that guidance.

I clean mine at every oil change, so about every 4000 miles. I use kerosene, a toothbrush, and a rag to clean the chain, then I spray on whatever O-ring friendly chain lube I have laying around to lubricate it. Seems to work fine.

This topic has been discussed numerous times on the forum. See this link:
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9243

[dave]

I clean my chain (with WD40) at approximately 5,000 mile intervals, and lube it about every 300 - 400 miles. I see no need to clean the chain on a street bike that often, unless you're riding in unusually dirty conditions.

[the Ferret]

I think I cleaned mine with WD 40 once at 8,000.... then with a chain cleaner and water at 24,000. Will probably do it once more before it needs replacement. I lube it when it starts looking dry or after getting caught in the rain, or immediately after cleaning the chain or after it's twice a year bath.

[redbirds_imp]

I have one mile of a sandy dirt road to ride out on every time I leave the house. Even so I only clean the chain (WD-40) perhaps four times per year. I use a synthetic chain wax after cleaning and once or twice in between cleanings. Chain and sprockets are holding up fine. Today's O-ring chains are so good, chain maintenance is easy and adjustments infrequent. Sure wasn't that way years ago.

[flynrider]

I didn't used to clean it at all. I'd get about 22K - 24K out of an O-ring chain. I noticed my buddies that were meticulous chain cleaners were getting twice that, so I started cleaning them with kerosene at every oil change. I don't know yet if I'll double my chain mileage, but they do look better and have been needing less adjustment.

[Toddman_imp]

Yeah, no matter what you do, 23K-25k is about all you're going to get out of one.

[Cormanus]

I've just replaced my chain and sprockets at 48,000 kms. They would probably have lasted another couple of thousand.

[kmoney_imp]

I usually lube after every 1000kms and then clean after every 2000 or so and honestly, it's usually not even that dirty at that point. I'm just doing it because to not do it feels like neglect.