Drive Chain upkeep

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

I had to make 1/4 turn adjustment to my chain slack today (on my 2014 Standard) to bring it back into spec. This is the first adjustment I've had to make in 27,000 miles (~43,450 km). Pretty impressive. I've been cleaning and lubing every 500mi, per the schedule, with Honda Chain Cleaner & Honda Chain Lube, then wiping the excess off.

It will be interesting to see how how long it lasts from here.

 

[peterbaron]

Very impressive maintenance and distance driven prior your first adjustment ...I think, I did my first at 36000 kms, during tire set replacement.

 

[Cormanus]

That's extraordinary. My first chain lasted ~50,000 kms.

 

[jimgl3_imp]

it is scary how clean that is in the photo

looks more like a museum piece than a ridden bike

 

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

The bike has taken me through nearly every state in the US via two lane roads. I'm fortunate to be able to keep her in a large garage.

 

[jimgl3_imp]

I would like to see a video of your cleaning process. I imagine others would too.

 

[Cormanus]

Ferret and me particularly! :rofl:

 

[Gone in 60]

And I though I kept a clean chain... Wow.

 

[the Ferret]

Ferret and me particularly! :rofl:

Yea!

Mine didn't look that good new if I remember right

 

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

Here's short rundown on how it's done. It may not be the best method, but it works for me and it's fairly quick. My last VFR went 36,000mi before I had to adjust the chain tension. I'll try to get a video together the next time I do the job (500mi from now).

Items you'll need: chain cleaner, Honda chain lube (not the white lithium garbage), a piece of scrap cardboard (a section of cereal box does nicely), and a scrap piece of terry cloth. I've cut up old beach towels and gotten about 8 nicely-sized segments, or WalMart sells inexpensive terry cloth shop towels in large rolls.

Put the bike on the centerstand and lower the side stand, too, in order to create a little more working area.

With the chain cleaner aerosol can (nozzle attached), work on cleaning up the chain in segments about a foot (30cm) long on the lower run between the sprockets. I hold the rag behind the chain to catch all the overspray, then use it to wipe the grime off. Once a segment is clean, I roll the rear wheel to expose the next segment. I'm able to do the whole thing in 3-5min, because there is little grime to begin with. Even so, the rag is mostly black by the time I'm done.

Next I hit the segments , one at a time as above, with the lube (nozzle attached), using the cardboard to catch all the overspray. Once all the links are foamy, I use the remaining clean areas of the rag to wipe the excess off the side links. You can hold the rag around the chain and roll the wheel--the excess comes right off.

I suspect the lube penetrates into the working surfaces of the chain if it's hot when you apply the lube, but I may be wrong. i let the stuff sit for at least 10min or so before riding off.

I toss the rags and cardboard when done. I've had to buy maybe three or four cans of chain cleaner in 5 years and I think I'm still on the original can of lube. When on long road trips, I pack a few rags and sheets of cardboard so I can do the job when it's time.

Anyway, If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

 

[TXBikerGuy]

Here's short rundown on how it's done. It may not be the best method, but it works for me and it's fairly quick. My last VFR went 36,000mi before I had to adjust the chain tension. I'll try to get a video together the next time I do the job (500mi from now).

Items you'll need: chain cleaner, Honda chain lube (not the white lithium garbage), a piece of scrap cardboard (a section of cereal box does nicely), and a scrap piece of terry cloth. I've cut up old beach towels and gotten about 8 nicely-sized segments, or WalMart sells inexpensive terry cloth shop towels in large rolls.

Put the bike on the centerstand and lower the side stand, too, in order to create a little more working area.

With the chain cleaner aerosol can (nozzle attached), work on cleaning up the chain in segments about a foot (30cm) long on the lower run between the sprockets. I hold the rag behind the chain to catch all the overspray, then use it to wipe the grime off. Once a segment is clean, I roll the rear wheel to expose the next segment. I'm able to do the whole thing in 3-5min, because there is little grime to begin with. Even so, the rag is mostly black by the time I'm done.

Next I hit the segments , one at a time as above, with the lube (nozzle attached), using the cardboard to catch all the overspray. Once all the links are foamy, I use the remaining clean areas of the rag to wipe the excess off the side links. You can hold the rag around the chain and roll the wheel--the excess comes right off.

I suspect the lube penetrates into the working surfaces of the chain if it's hot when you apply the lube, but I may be wrong. i let the stuff sit for at least 10min or so before riding off.

I toss the rags and cardboard when done. I've had to buy maybe three or four cans of chain cleaner in 5 years and I think I'm still on the original can of lube. When on long road trips, I pack a few rags and sheets of cardboard so I can do the job when it's time.

Anyway, If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

I just bought a pack that had the Honda chain cleaner and Honda chain lube with "white graphite". Can I assume that's not the same as "the white lithium garbage" or have I been duped by an unscrupulous Honda marketing department? I mean, they put "WHITE GRAPHITE" in yellow yelling font. How is that not automatically better?

I've been spoiled with 7 years of shaft-drive on the BMW and have been using Motorex cleaner/lube on my KTM so it's been awhile since I've had the Honda stuff in the garage.

 

[Cormanus]

Oh, gawd, made me look at Honda Chain Lube. What's better: chain lube with "Moly" or chain lube with White Graphite? On price, because it’s more expensive, the white graphite should be.

I've had a can of Honda Chain Lube for a wee while and it recommends spraying it on, letting it sit and then washing it off before re-oiling. It does a pretty amazing job of getting crap off the chain.

 

[Houtman_imp]

I use a damp kerosene rag to clean and 80/90 gear oil for lubing .

 

[ozigoo]

+1
Kero to clean and gear oil to lubricate...cheap and efective...Comparison video of chain lube effectiveness below...you'll never buy chain lube again....

 

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

Sorry. The stuff I meant to denigrate was the white graphite lube. It's a mess.

 

[Gone in 60]

I've always used the *Put a rag on the other side *Put a rag on the floor to catch the drips *Spray a section *Rotate *Spray another section method.

A year or two ago, I started using a Grease Ninja: GreaseNinja Home to do my chain lubrication. It's a simple, "why didn't I think about it" product that puts the lube in the center of the chain, and doesn't get overspray all over the place. It takes less time, too. I put a rag on the floor to catch the drips, lube while I slowly rotate the back wheel, and when I'm done, use the rag to wipe the chain.

Been using Maxima Chain Wax for years, and can't remember the last time I had to do a chain adjustment, other than during tire swaps. I only ride on paved roads in dry weather, so don't have to do much cleaning.

 

[the Ferret]

I got 36,909 out of my first CB 1100 chain

 

[Cormanus]

I got 36,909 out of my first CB 1100 chain

Bugs, gremlins, gobs of oil, grains of sand? lol

 

[the Ferret]

lol that plus miles