Chain Wax Vs. Lube Vs. Wd40 Vs. Moto Oil

Motorcycle Chain Care

  • Chain Wax

    Votes: 9 22.5%

  • Chain Lube

    Votes: 28 70.0%

  • WD40

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • Heavyduty Moto Oil

    Votes: 1 2.5%
  • Total voters
    40
I'm actually using some left over (unused) car engine oil in my Tutoro chain oiler. Seems to do a decent enough job at keeping the chain cleaned and lubed while out and about.
 
I'm using a motul one and on this bike it seems to go everywhere.

Think I'll look into a oiler shortly and just be done with it.
 
lupin said:
I'm using a motul one and on this bike it seems to go everywhere.

Think I'll look into a oiler shortly and just be done with it.
Click to expand...

Since using an oiler I've not looked back. The spray on lubes are expensive and quickly turn into grinding paste which all the road gunk it attracts. With the oiler I can just some spare engine oil or even some used engine oil if needs be. I've not spent a penny on chain lube in a few years now.
 
I watched a how to video on chain cleaning and lubing.

Seems like many degreasers can break down the Orings.
Yet he recommended kerosene.

I like the chain wax spray
and the grease ninja attachment to make sure the lube goes right to the o rings.
 
I have been using chain wax spray. My general zen of chain maintenance is to do the following:
1. Ride for a bit, get things good and warm (actually, just an excuse to ride, really)
2. Spray on some WD40 and wipe it off with shop towel while spinning the rear wheel.
2. Spray on some WD40 and use a brush to get it cleaned off of road grime, wipe off WD40 with towel.
3. Spray on the chain wax, but I don't wipe it off. I spray under the swing arm. Spin the wheel for a bit.
4. After all that, I usually end up letting the bike sit overnight, as the maintenance I do at the end of a day, rather than the beginning.

I will do this after longer trips (1000+ mile trips) or after a couple weeks or so of commuting and general riding about town.

This past year, I bought my bike new, and the original chain (not the best, with a lifespan of about 10,000 miles) finally gave up the ghost for me and I replaced it at just over 12,000 miles. I had to adjust it 3 times in as many weeks, and the last time I had no more play to adjust with the screws. I now have a new chain and with that I completed my first real maintenance as a non-mechanic. Oil change coming in about 4,000 miles.
 
Chain wax or any lube specially designed for chain lubrication, the rest attracts more dirt and crap than actually protecting your chain.
 
I've always used lube, which is a pain in the backside as my chains are normally gold under all the black crap and dirt. Is there a clear lube/wax?
 
RoadSprock said:
I've always used lube, which is a pain in the backside as my chains are normally gold under all the black crap and dirt. Is there a clear lube/wax?
Click to expand...
Yes most of the spray on stuff is clear but will turn dark after very short time from dirt and shit
 
Suzuki manual for mine recommends kerosene to clean and motor oil to lubricate. I've bought some cleaner that's stated oring safe and spray wax. So far I put the new chain on and just used oil.
 
I use lube in the summer and Wax in the winter
but that's cos I ride all year round......
 
EDcase said:
Remember that chains have O-rings to keep the factory grease inside the links so there is no real reason to lube the chain other than reduce wear on the sprockets. So minimum is required. Too much will trap dirt & grit and actually be worse.

Never use WD40, unless for cleaning, as its a degreasant.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I concur, have seen chains almost locked solid due to lack of external lube
 
My CBR would have dobbed me in for never cleaning it, it was kept in a garage, but I never washed it or lubed the chain so cleaning products didn't cause wear! :D
 
Each 500km i clean and lubericate it with a set from VatOil.
First get of the most dirth then clean it with cleaning spray, dry it of an wait for serveral minutes, then spray it wit wax, let it take in for around 15 minutes, feel and hear as a brandnew chain.

The best result is when you come back from riding and the chain is still warm.
 
With my main bike having a shaft drive, I have not had to consider this for an age. I am getting a second (ok third) bike in a minute which has a chain drive, on my old dirt bikes I'd use old gear oil as it is kind of free and works really well as long as you do t regularily and wash the bike often. On a road bike that isn't really an option for me, so what is the consensus? Dry wax or sticky lube?
 
I was using chain paste as previously stated. I have how switched to a motul aerosol instead. The main reason is it's completely colourless, and it also seems to actually go into the chain instead of sitting on the outside.

My chain is also getting towards the end of its life, so this will either slow the process or speed it up.
 
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