• Hi everyone,

    As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.

    When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.

    Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.

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    Thanks for your patience and support!

Chain lube, what works for you?

Reddog

Reddog

Husqvarna
AA Class
First I did a search of CH and did not find much info. So trying not to start a oil thread I have listed the different ones we have tried.
The reason I am asking is with all the fine dune sand and mud we run through here in Michigan it seems like any lube just attracts the grit.

Some here use WD-40, it seems to me to not have much lube quality.

Chain wax seems to be as bad as motor oil or grease at attracting grime.

I have been trying Silicon spray the last few times. It does not seem to attract dirt, but I wonder how much it lubes.

Trying to see if I have overlooked a better option.
 
Spent MANY years riding in Michigan, so I know exactly where your coming from. I was of the group that ran a GOOD O-Ring, or X-Ring chain, and used WD-40 after washing the bike just to keep the chain from rusting. Way I see it, the O-ring chains won't ever roll like a non-o-ring, but they're designed to be run for extended periods of time in the grit and goo. Now, here in the AZ desert, we have similar conditions and I still do the same. In general, I do make a point of using PJ1 lube on the chain at every oil change for piece of mind and to keep things fresh, but then go back to WD-40 after a bike wash. I'll also do a good chain soak in Tranny Fluid for a week or so to get in all the nooks/crannies if I've done an extended ride. That's all to say, I've never had an O-ring chain fail on me, so I figure I'm doin something right!
 
Been using Amsoil MP HD Motorcycle chain lube for 5years and no issues. :thumbsup:

AMSOIL Heavy Duty Metal Protector (MPHD) are easy-to-use spray-on synthetic products that protect metal surfaces, displace water and silence squeaks. MP cuts through rust and corrosion to restore free movement of “frozen” hardware parts. MPHD lubricates metal surfaces, leaving a dry waxlike film. Neither forms gum or sludge.
AMSOIL MP is the product of choice for drying electrical and ignition systems and protecting electrical equipment from freshwater and saltwater damage. AMSOIL MP is also the product of choice for protecting firearms and other fine componentry. It contains no silicone. AMSOIL MP is compatible with plastic, leather, fabric, fishing line and paint.
AMSOIL MPHD is the product of choice for metal surfaces that require a heavy duty lubricant or are exposed to the damaging effects of salt, moisture or chemical corrosion. It is ideal for hinges, wire ropes and springs, nuts and bolts, motorcycle or bicycle chains, and for undercoating wheelwells and other metal surfaces exposed to water, dirt or road salt.
Performance Features
• Prevents rust & corrosion, even in salt water
• Protects against rust & corrosion, even in salt water
• Displaces water
• Stops squeaks
• Lubricates metal surfaces
• Leaves a dry, long-lasting, waxlike film
• Lubricant does not attract dust
• Does not sling off
• Sprays into hard-to-reach places
• Ideal for chains & other heavy-use items
 
For the dirt bikes with non o ring chains, I use Motul off road chain lube. For the dual sports with O ring chains, I use the Motul road chain lube. On my wifes WR250R I put a non o ring chain and use the Road chain lube. I think I may go to this lube exclusively as it does a great job of keeping the chain lubed and does not attract dirt. We have had good luck on 150 + miles with this lube on both chain types.
 
This will be hard...not having this turn into an "oil thread" :popcorn:

I've been using a silicone spray for some time. I like it.
After washing my bikes I lightly coat the chain with a small amount of penetrating oil just to repel the water.

Then I coat it with a silicone spray. I'm after lubrication for the "O rings" only. If it's really dry and there is lots of powdery dust it does not seem to stick to the chain.

Siliconespray004.jpg
 
I quess too clear things up, O or X-ring chain is what I was refering to. Sorry if there was some confusion.
 
HuskyDude;45040 said:
This will be hard...not having this turn into an "oil thread" :popcorn:

I've been using a silicone spray for some time. I like it.
After washing my bikes I lightly coat the chain with a small amount of penetrating oil just to repel the water.

Then I coat it with a silicone spray. I'm after lubrication for the "O rings" only. If it's really dry and there is lots of powdery dust it does not seem to stick to the chain.

Siliconespray004.jpg
Click to expand...

:popcorn:

Bel Ray super clean for me....it stays on the chain and works good in the wet too....

Motul Factory line looks to be the same stuff..and works just as well

I used gear oil for years....but ended up with funny black spots everywhere....still the factory rec lube though :excuseme:
 
Tri-flow, bel ray, chain wax, old oil, even white lightning or Pedros bicycle chain lube. WD-40 after a wash and an hour after that one of the lubes I find closest to my work area (WD-40 is not a lube). Other than that just remember, anything is better than nothing so I use them all.
 
Fellow husky bro Brian turned me onto this stuff and a LOVE it. I usually do not get excited about lubes but this stuff is cool. No smell, biodegradable, and works GREAT.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/allpurp.html

Awesome for use int he house as well as it does not smell up the place.

WD40 is a solvent made for Water Dispersion. I don't like to use it on chains as I feel it does no good for the o-rings and if it does get past them it will dilute the grease. I do find WD40 makes a very good cleaner for 2 stroke spooge.
 
Myself and a couple guys from work have just started using Rocol Chain Lube. Unlike most that say they're non sling....This one actually doesn't sling at all. Not sure if you guys would have it over there though.

Used to use chain wax but like what others have said, collects lots of grime. Seems to do more damage than good.
 
Thanks to everyone so far for the good input.:thumbsup: I see some alternative ideas that may lead to a easier cleaning and application process.
I have a few other ideas/products to try also. As I do if I see good results I will post them up.

As a side note, this is why I posted this question on the CH. Everyone here does a good job of keeping things on topic and discussing problems and ideas. It's about gathering ideas and information, not arguing.:cheers:
 
This probably comes out of left field but over the years I have tried many chain lubes. A couple of years ago I tried a sidewinder smart chain, mostly for the nickel plated plates (they don't rust, it's also the strongest chain - never stretching) and also tried their SS-51 chain lube. It's absolutely the best chain lube I've ever used. It's super slippery, doesn't attract dirt and washes off easily to then be re-applied. Now I won't use anything else. It's worth a try, at least for 1 can.
 
Motosportz;45070 said:
WD40 is a solvent made for Water Dispersion. I don't like to use it on chains as I feel it does no good for the o-rings and if it does get past them it will dilute the grease.
Click to expand...
You may very well be right; I've seen a lot of discussions about this but no concrete answers. I do know that at the BMW off road skills centre in Wales at the end of the day all they do is wash the bikes and spray WD40 on the (O-ring) chains. I asked about that and Si Pavey said they found the chains lasted longer doing that than if they used chain lube, maybe because the lube made dirt stick to the chain and act like a grinding paste.

I use Motorex 622 which seems to work ok. We don't have much sand round here but we do get fine dust when it's hot and dry and the chain doesn't seem to pick much of that up. Picked up plenty of mud today though! :D
 
I tried all kinds of the chain lube from the mc shops. Most are so messy and goop up everything. Needing a scraper to clean my bike, no thank you. :thumbsdown: I now use only this: http://www.gunk.com/CAT_ML2S.asp
I coat the chain and wipe off the excess or it will fling. What does fling comes right off with purple simple green. :thumbsup:
For the price ($2.99 at Harbor Freight) how can you not give it a try?
 
I only use o or x ring chains. After washing I spray the chain good with WD-40 to displace the water and keep it from rusting. my chain seems to last just as long as my buddies chains that they lube all the time, and have lube and dirt stuck all over their bikes. It was an easy decision with the extra cost of the lube and time involved with the extra cleaning and lubing.
 
Trust me on the Gunk brand lube. I tried WD40, didn't like it as chain lube (no offense). I apply the Gunk after washing and wipe off the excess. Minimal dirt sticks and gets hosed off easily with a decent nozzle. It cleans like WD40 but clearly leaves behind visible lube. I usually spray down the drive area with purple sg mix as I like my Husky looking squeaky clean. :busted: I don't need to use my grunge brush anymore. :applause:

lube.jpg
 
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