old school chain lube?

Just bought a 2001 with 6,000 miles on her. Used to have a 1991 and was used to using the "spray lube" for my chain. But owners manual mentions them having solvents which can damage the rubber O-rings, and I should use SAE 80 or 90 gear oil. But I still have a can of my old stuff "Original Bike Spirits", and can't find any mention about not using it on rubber O-rings. So my question is, "is it safe?" or do I go buy ye olde fashioned squirt bottle like it shows in my owners manual?

Thanks,
The nervous-new-daddy

p.s.-I'm sure this'll be the first of many questions, but I won't DARE ask the dreaded motor oil question :crazy:

 

Like Reg says. I clean mine with WD40. I even use a pressure washer to clean the WD40 off but am quite careful there. Then I use a spray lube for chains. I am on my third set of chains and sprokets and I dare say, I get more out of mioine than most here. I was geting about 25,000 km average out of a sproket and chain. If you use the search engone here, you will find all sorts of opinions on how to and not to clean and lube a chain. Some insist on chain wax. Some use kerosene to clean them and the list goes on. I think the most important thisng is to make sure that you do lube the chain and keep it well lubed. Remember, that chain is spinning at an incredible speed and any lube will tend to fly off. Especially after the chain warms up after a longer ride. Of course, the best time to lube is wafter a ride when the chain is warm. This way the lube will suck into the rings well.

But if you use too much spray, you end up with a mess on your garage floor.

 

I use a rag soaked in diesel to clean the chain, then I oil it with 90 weight gear oil, then I spray it with chain wax to "lock" in the oil. Warm up the chain by running in 2nd gear for a few minutes while on centerstand before spraying chain wax.

 

More stuff:

How to Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

Motorcycle Chain Lube - webBikeWorld

http://bolty.net/2009/08/05/how-to-clean-and-lube-a-motorcycle-chain/

 

Thanks for the advice. I guess I was just wondering if the factory chain that came on the bike has different O-rings than the replacement chains and that is why the owners manual is so specific about using SAE 80 or 90 gear oil.

 

Dont over complicate the matter. 90 weight will be just fine

 

Your worried way to much, I use Motul offraod and it cleans the chain nicely as well and sticks to the chain. Used most brands at one time or another and have never had a problem besides industrial goo getting all over my bike.On a funny note I lubed Crusty's chain a couple of weeks ago with some really vile chain lube.....put a ton on.....hehehe.

 

If I ever make it to the west coast, remind me to never let you "lube my chain"

 

You are a stabard

 

I use the $3. a quart 90wt from Kragen. twice a week. I keep it pretty wet and figure the heaver than oil dirt will fly off. So I almost never clean it. This has worked for me for the last 30 years, as I always get more than 30k out of a chain.

 

Bingo, it's cheap and works like a charm. I've had the same bottle of 90wt for almost 3 seasons now.

 

I don't like cleaning so I use chainwax, I get 18K on average from a EK ZZZ Xring chain. Never had it flig off if sprayed when I get back from riding and let it dry overnight.

 

I started using this product last season and am very happy with it. Spray on and it will actually loosen grease, dirt, etc. wipe off and reapply. Since it is not tacky dirt does not attach to it!:smile:

DuPont? Teflon? Dry-Film Lubricants

 

SAE 85W-140 Extreme Pressure gear oil here every 500k, never clean the chain, replace chain/sprokets every 40,000k+.

 

Well that works doesn't it. 40,ooo + km is nothing to sneeze at.

 

Methinks this would be the way to go
Pro-Oiler, the ultimate automatic chain oiler, microprocessor-controlled, pumped, economical, hassle-free, fit and forget, the future of chain maintenance.

If only I had some expendable income here sometime.....