Lube Free Chains, Good or Bad?

[rhoff71]

I'm getting ready to do a 630 to 530 conversion on my '77 GS750
and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on Lube Free Chains?

I've got a brother that uses one and he likes it but it's not totally maintenance free. I've also heard that dirty environments can be
bad for them also.

[KGB]

hmmmmmmmm

never heard of "lube free" I have heard of sealed o-ring or sealed x-ring.

The chain is exposed to al lkinds of weather and elements.
Plus it's subjected to heat and cooloing cycles.
With that being said, and IMO, I would still spray it with some type of wax or lube to protect it.
What's the warranty/guarantee on one of these lubeless chains?

But that's just my opinion.

[rhoff71]

The chain is impregnated with oil and is supposed to last quite a long time
And I do think you do need to put some lube on it periodically.

There is an HSL series that Tsubaki makes that is lube free.

[lecroy]

There was not a lot of information on Tsubaki's site about it. I have never used one, or know of anyone who has tried one.

MANUFACTURER’S STATEMENT TSUBAKI LIMITED WARRANTY
......
Excluded are modified motorcycles whose application deviates from equivalent original equipment manufacturer’s application as to chain type, size, pitch and gearing.

So, the way I read this, you voided the warrenty as soon as you put the chain on your bike because you did not use the 630 size that was OEM.

[Jethro]

I used a "lube free" chain last time... it's only lube free if you don't ride your bike outside, and it never, ever gets wet, and you never wash your bike with soap, and sand does not exist where you ride, and....

[QuaiChangKane]

O-ring or X-ring chain, YES. Non-O-ring chains should be left for the history books.



But don't let them fool you - just because the lube is "impregnated" doesn't mean they're maintenance free. You still need to clean, lube, and adjust them regularly.

-Q!

[lecroy]

O-ring or X-ring chain, YES. Non-O-ring chains should be left for the history books.

-Q!

If it were a non-performance group I would agree but it you want some free power, go with a non-O-ring chain. Why waste power with all that rubbing action?

I think there was a post on this subject (miles between chain changes), but I had about 20,000 miles on my last O ring type.

[Billyboy]

I got a cheapo non-o-ring chain, cause I'm broke. I don't think it'll hold up like an o-ring, but I'm not overly concerned. I don't give it time to rust up and I l;ude it every 2nd tank. I'm not going to convert to 530. I like the beefier chain. I'm heavy, and so's my wrist.

[QuaiChangKane]

If it were a non-performance group I would agree but it you want some free power, go with a non-O-ring chain. Why waste power with all that rubbing action?

I think there was a post on this subject (miles between chain changes), but I had about 20,000 miles on my last O ring type.

I can see where you're coming from, but I'd take a 530 X-ring over a 630 standard, with no loss of acceleration due to the weight savings. 630 chains are way overkill with today's manufacturing standards.


The gains would be negligible and probably not noticeable on a street bike. It's like telling someone that thinner oil will allow their engine to rev up quicker, which is true, but hardly noticeable.

A lot of modern SS riders convert from 530 chains to 520 because they're told it's an easy performance mod - with seldom noticeable results.


At least the O- or X-ring chain won't rust between the rollers and the plates.


YMMV.



-Q!

[scotty]

"If it were a non-performance group I would agree but it you want some free power, go with a non-O-ring chain. Why waste power with all that rubbing action? "

:-D :-D :-D :-D

[lecroy]

I can see where you're coming from, but I'd take a 530 X-ring over a 630 standard, with no loss of acceleration due to the weight savings. 630 chains are way overkill with today's manufacturing standards.

The gains would be negligible and probably not noticeable on a street bike. It's like telling someone that thinner oil will allow their engine to rev up quicker, which is true, but hardly noticeable.

-Q!

Go to any NHRA or Prostar event and count the number of sealed chains you see. I only wrote this because you had made the comment "Non-O-ring chains should be left for the history books."

Again, if your just riding your old GS back and forth to work, who cares get an O ring chain and be done with it. But if your big in performance and going balls to the wall, friction is a bad thing.

Your right, there is some savings in the weight of the chain to be had as well. Not just by the size of the chain but also by the strength. Shown are two 630 chains. The small chain would be something like what you would see on a top gas bike, the thicker on maybe a funny bike. Both, non-sealed.

[quakeholio]

I've always seen people go on about the performance gain of the standard chain to the o-ring chain. Has anyone ever done a study or anything like that to produce numbers as to how much power they lose?

Is this increase anything that will get you anything on the street? Just because something is true or good in the reality of the track dosen't mean that it is true or good in the reality of the street. I've often wondered why people try to copy the smallest things about racers while leaving the big things behind. If you run standard chain with this argument I DEMAND to see the racing carbs on your bike!

I've never seen a "race proven" rain suit.

Why am I reading this, I've seen the light! I've been shafted baby!

[lecroy]

"Just because something is true or good in the reality of the track dosen't mean that it is true or good in the reality of the street."

If your driving on the street, who would care?

[Billy Ricks]

"Just because something is true or good in the reality of the track dosen't mean that it is true or good in the reality of the street."

If your driving on the street, who would care?

Exactly, I know the point you're making. Virtually every type of racing utilizes non-ringed chains. If you're caring for a chain properly even non-ringed chain is fine for the street. If you want to be lazy about it then ringed is the way to go.

[quakeholio]

Just another couple of questions about chains on race bikes? How old do the race chains get, like milage or number of races? How clean is the track they are on? Dose the chain on a race bike ever see moisture? How often do they check the chain tention?

I think that a race chain will need moretensile strenght then a o-ring chain, but I think the environment that the race bike chain lives in is nicer then that of most street bikes.