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Chain facts 101

  • Thread starter Thread starter dtkid
  • Start date Start date
D

dtkid

Guest
Hey folks:

I recently purchased a 630 XW-ring chain (RK) for my GS1100. Does anyone know what the XW implies?

Is this a "sealed" 0-ring chain that does not require lubrication? I've never been quite hip on chain maintenance. Is it true that sealed 0-ring chains do not require lub but only cleaining?
 
from what I can tell it's just an "x" ring chain. You still want to lightly oil your chain wether it's "X" "O" or "no" ring chain. Preventing surface rust and "furry" chains are a good idea.
 
OK........now here is my ignorance for all to observe. What the #$$% is an "X" ring chain?? Does that mean that the chain is not sealed? Are there no 0-rings in an "X" ring chain?? Is this a "cheapee-chain"?
 
Just found an excellent web-site for "chain knowledge". Also got all my questions answered. The site is [quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm]
 
An 'X-ring' is a special type of O-ring specially designed for chains. It's a good chain. Lube on the outside of the chain is recommended to lube the sprockets and keep the chain from rusting.

Good luck.
 
dtkid said:
Just found an excellent web-site for "chain knowledge". Also got all my questions answered. The site is [quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm]
Click to expand...

It's interesting he just recommend lubing the chain and not cleaning it. I've never seen or heard that before. Would definitely save a little time.
 
dtkid said:
Just found an excellent web-site for "chain knowledge". Also got all my questions answered. The site is [quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm]
Click to expand...

Got to admit. I was a little leery about taking advice from a page entitled, "Facts you should no about Motorcycle Chains!" :-s
But overall, good information.
 
andrewclaycomb said:
It's interesting he just recommend lubing the chain and not cleaning it. I've never seen or heard that before. Would definitely save a little time.
Click to expand...

And I would recommend the opposite - clean it and don't lube it. The only reason to lube an O-ring chain is to prevent corrosion. If your bike lives in a garage and/or you live in a fairly dry climate you don't need lube. Clean lasts longer and doesn't attract dirt and grit which wears out chains and sprockets. If your bike lives outside or you live in high humidity, then you need a light oil or chain wax to keep the rust away.

I clean with WD-40 (which is basically aerosol kerosene) or kerosene and then let dry, that's it. I now have around 40,000km on streetbikes and around 40 hours on my YZ250F using this procedure and have needed a total of 3 chain adjustments in that time, never more than one on any individual bike. My ZX-9 had 29,000km on the OEM chain when I sold it and it was good for another season at least at that point. Can't beat that IMO.

Mark
 
Good Eye: I didn't catch the obvious reason to "considerer the source": "know" vs. "no".

However, I'm hip to the concept that "clean is better than mucky lubed".
 
OK. I just installed a new x-ring chain on my bike. It's coated in grease. What should I clean that with?
 
Same situation for me. That white chain grease is as sticky cold molasses & it picks up grit that hangs on like a hair in a biscuit.

I'm cleaning mine with WD-40. I use WD for everything but fryin' chicken.
 
I can't believe I've never heard or read of anybody just cleaning the chain and not lubing it. It definitely makes sense theoretically but wouldn't an O ring eventually lose it's sealed lubrication?

Anybody done this and it not work out in the long run?

I'm now tempted to go out and pick up a big can of WD40 to spray off the crud on my chain.
 
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WD 40 works great for cleaning the chain, but I still think there needs to be some type of lube between the chain and the sprockets. That is my opinion. There are some great chain lubes available.

Greg O
 
I cleaned the grease off my new chain, and OOOooo, it's shiney! I likey!:-D
 
The "O" rings seal out dirt and seal in the factory lube on the pins, so since the "O" rings are a seal, you cannot lube the pins with a can of chain lube.
Chain lube then only has two uses. 1. to provide a protective layer on the outside of the chain to prevent rust and 2. (which is of questionable use) to provide a film on the rollers to rdeuce wear on contact with the sprocket teeth. However, since the rollers roll on contact, I feel roller wear is a negligible factor. I have never seen any notable signs of wear on a chain roller. I use a dry teflon lube/wax that I buy at Lowes. It doesnt sling, leaves no mess, and does not attract dirt/grit. It is also a rubber lubricant which is what you really need for long life of the "O" rings. My opinion is that any chain lube that will hold dirt/grit will shorten the life of the chain rather than improve it. WD40 will clean a chain and block out water, hence stop rust, but it has no lubrication qualities and will do nothing to extend the life of the rubber "O" rings, and once the "O" rings dry out, the sealed in grease is lost and the chain shortly thereafter becomes trash can fodder.

Earl

andrewclaycomb said:
I can't believe I've never heard or read of anybody just cleaning the chain and not lubing it. It definitely makes sense theoretically but wouldn't an O ring eventually loose it's sealed lubrication?

Anybody done this and it not work out in the long run?

I'm now tempted to go out and pick up a big can of WD40 to spray off the crud on my chain.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Actually WD40 is non toxic and you could fry chicken in it. It is not kerosene, it is fish oil.

Earl

dtkid said:
Same situation for me. That white chain grease is as sticky cold molasses & it picks up grit that hangs on like a hair in a biscuit.

I'm cleaning mine with WD-40. I use WD for everything but fryin' chicken.
Click to expand...
 
earlfor said:
Actually WD40 is non toxic and you could fry chicken in it. It is not kerosene, it is fish oil.

Earl
Click to expand...

I can believe fish oil but there is some kind of volatile solvent in it that evaporates out.
 
earlfor said:
Actually WD40 is non toxic and you could fry chicken in it. It is not kerosene, it is fish oil.

Earl
Click to expand...
I gotta send that into Mythbusters...I dunno that i would try it, but i dunno that its out of the realm of possibility either...
 
dtkid said:
Same situation for me. That white chain grease is as sticky cold molasses & it picks up grit that hangs on like a hair in a biscuit.

I'm cleaning mine with WD-40. I use WD for everything but fryin' chicken.
Click to expand...
HAHA!! Hair...biscuit...*sigh* funny :)
 
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