Confessions of a troubled history in motorcycling

[Rob S.]

"NEVER HEARD OF CHAIN WAX"??? Maxima "Chain Wax"??? You've must have spent a lot of time in a hospital or something. Goes on wet, cures tacky. I've lived a sheltered life, but used Chain Wax for years. Hey Rob, when you get back to going, give it a try.

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

[Dogma]

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

That's inconvenient. Maybe a pneumatic shifter?

[rphillips]

Self lubing chains lube the inside, the lube we put on the outside lubes the "O" rings rubbing against the side plates of the chain, dry "O" rings probably wouldn't last long rubbing on dry side plates. Support 600# with left leg?? Ain't the right leg going to do anything? that cuts it in half. Man, you're getting there, just takes longer than it did a half century ago. Didn't you hear, where there's a will there's a way. Heel & toe, you're gett'in it figured out. And Yes Chain Wax.

[Buffalo Bill]

I think you've nailed the economic analysis. I keep forgetting I'm not normal.

HA! subtle touche…

[Buffalo Bill]

So chains are self-lubing, no more spray bottles, just wax to weatherproof? I'm old school, I still give the chain a spritz every now and then.

When my left leg can support 600lbs, it's feasible I could ride with a heel and toe shifter. (Can't raise my left toes or ankle. )

I thought you were gonna buy an ebike?

[Rob S.]

I thought you were gonna buy an ebike?

When they make one that sounds like a big-bore inline four with a 4-into-1.

[Steve]

That's inconvenient. Maybe a pneumatic shifter?

Talk about inconvenient.

Imagine taking a spirited ride that involves a LOT of shifting. Almost through the ride, the air tank is low. Now you're stuck in whatever gear you happen to be in.

Unless that pneumatic shifter has a HUGE tank or an on-board air compressor, I don't see it being practical for anything more than a few trips down the drag strip.

I know that heel-toe shifters don't appeal to very many GSers, but there is a fair amount of acceptance in the Goldwing crowd. Especially if floorboards have been mounted in place of footpegs. I have floorboards on my 850, along with a heel-toe shifter, but it's actually easier to slide my foot forward on the board and use my heel to downshift.

.

[ddaniels]

I held onto the front sprocket I removed from the FZ1 the first time I replaced its chain as a reminder to not be stupid. You should see the teeth. Every tooth comes to a point instead of being the proper rounded shape. I only noticed the chain needed replacing when I found a missing tooth in the rear sprocket. This was shortly after I bought it, mind you, so don't attack me. You have to keep watch on the chain and both sprockets. Personally, I prefer shaft drive.

[rphillips]

Good point DD, with chain you need to keep watch on 2 sprockets & a chain. With the shaft, just keep watch on the splines in the rear hub. Just me, but I like em' both

[Wingsconsin]

Shafties for the WIN

[Buffalo Bill]

When they make one that sounds like a big-bore inline four with a 4-into-1.

It's just as EZ to do that, as make it sound like Led Zepplin…

[Rob S.]

Good point DD, with chain you need to keep watch on 2 sprockets & a chain. With the shaft, just keep watch on the splines in the rear hub. Just me, but I like em' both

I only need to read two bikes into your stable list, and any shafties further down (and I do mean down ) can be forgiven.

Shafties for the WIN

Not! NOT!! Verboten in my garage.

[salty_monk]

If you buy the right chain it won’t rust in the rain.... also I think chain maintenance is overrated. Time cost and cost of lube / wax Would probably more than pay for the extra mileage you’d get from a really anal chain regime.

clean it and lube it as and when you remember.

there is a KlR guy (Wattman) who was really anal but working on the premise the most important thing was to keep it clean and keep the onrings wet. He used WD40 as his cleaner and got about 40k from the chain I think... I got 15k and saved myself a hundred hours of work

[Dogma]

Talk about inconvenient.

Imagine taking a spirited ride that involves a LOT of shifting. Almost through the ride, the air tank is low. Now you're stuck in whatever gear you happen to be in.

Unless that pneumatic shifter has a HUGE tank or an on-board air compressor, I don't see it being practical for anything more than a few trips down the drag strip.

I know that heel-toe shifters don't appeal to very many GSers, but there is a fair amount of acceptance in the Goldwing crowd. Especially if floorboards have been mounted in place of footpegs. I have floorboards on my 850, along with a heel-toe shifter, but it's actually easier to slide my foot forward on the board and use my heel to downshift.

.

I figured an on-board compressor would be involved. It might just be easier to rig a right-foot shifter and move the rear brake to a thumb.

[Rob S.]

That is a list of the motorcycles I have owned -

Notice anything they all have in common ???

All SHAFT Drives -

I have never OWNED a Chain driven bike...

The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. It may be a long road, but I look forward to the day when you can proudly state that you own a proper (chain-driven) motorcycle.

Do you have a sponsor? Be sure to call your sponsor if you feel yourself backsliding.

Good luck. We're praying for you.