Jonathan Kamens 86 47
I had to pay the #stupidTax today when I brought my #motorcycle in for its six-month service: I have been bad about keeping my chain lubed, and as a result my chain and sprockets have prematurely worn out, adding a few hundred dollars to the cost of the service.
Lesson learned. We'll see if it sticks.
(Also, the guy at the shop said I should stop being lazy and start buckling my cover under the bike to protect the chain from rain splashing on it when I'm not riding it.)
Mar 24 at 4:40pmWeb
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 473d ago
It probably doesn't help that I was using dry lube, which (as I understand it) washes off more easily. I was doing that because it's less unpleasant to clean a dry-lubed chain before lubing it, but unless I want to be lubing the chain much more often, I should switch to wet lube.
Show threadHaywood Jabuzoff3d ago

@jik is there a motorcycle equivalent of this bicycle chain cleaning gizmo?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MuwS_nSevy4/maxresdefault.jpg

Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 473d ago
@iamdoon Apparently yes.
https://www.kettenmax.com/shop/motorcycle/kettenmax-premium
But it looks like they recommend using a dry lube with it, which I am not sure I want to do because I don't want to have to clean and lube the chain as often as I apparently would have to with dry lube.
Show threadKārlis 🚵‍♂️ 🏍️2d ago
@jik it's strange for O-ring (X-ring probably) chain tbh. Usually it's easier to over-lube not underlube as then all the dirt and sand sticks to the chain and basically grinds it down. Lubing outside is more for a rust protection, as actual lube is trapped inside the links via rubber seals.
I'm terribly lazy at chain maintanance and often don't use rain cover and don't relube after rainy ride, also using drylube or just heavy transmission oil and chains live long enough.
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 472d ago
@theRealBooo_kat There was a lot of rust on the chain when I brought the bike in today, and the chain was really loose, and the guy at the shop said the O-rings were shot. Given how important chains are for safety, I'm going to trust him as the expert on this: if he says my chain needs to be replaced, I'm going to replace the chain. And lube it more often moving forward in the hope of preventing rusting better.
It probably doesn't help that I ride in the winter when there is salt on the roads.
Show threadKārlis 🚵‍♂️ 🏍️2d ago
@jik sorry, didn't meant this as an insult.
What you describe really sounds like dead chain and winter riding explains a lot. Try gear oil, at least in winter. Really. It's cheap, heavy and protects chain well. Also, easy to clean up with rag and kerosine (or whatever it's called where you live).
Keep the rubber side down and have a great season!