Chain maintainance question.

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Fatherof2
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Fatherof2 »

Hi Gang,

I wash my bike after every ride. I then hit the chain with WD40, and once that dries, I put lube on.

That said, my chain is a bit stiff in spots. What is the best remedy? Should I remove the chain, and soak it? If so, what should I soak it in?

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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Brian »

If it's getting stiff in a few sections it's probably time to replace it. I think that means water has gone past the O-rings and started causing rust in some of the chain links. I do remember many years ago reading an article about soaking your O-ring chain in kerosene (basically WD 40) to clean it and loosen it up but I've never done it.
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Fatherof2
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Fatherof2 »

It is an O-ring chain, and is fairly new.

It has hardley stretched at all.

It loosens up quite a bit when I ride. (The stiffness in the links that is...........not the length.)

Soak it in lube or oil?

Thoughts?
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by KarlP »

I washed my bike last year. I might do it again next year........

Seriously, a soak in used motor oil might be better than kerosene. Hang it up and let it drip for a couple of days.

The whole topic of chain maintenance, 0-ring no o-ring, to lube or not to lube usually generates a lot of discussion.

I used to be all up tight about cleaning and lubing chains and sprockets. The last few years I just put a new set on, set tension once and run 'em. I can't tell the difference in wear life.

A lot of the difference in approaches probably come from the territory people ride in. Constantly wet and muddy areas might require a different approach than dry and sandy ones.
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rbates9
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by rbates9 »

I have a newer o ring chain and tried all the different lubes and finally just decided that WD-40 or equivalent is just as good and doesn't build up like many of the pricey lubes do.

As far as soaking the chain I would avoid it. A o ring chain should have grease inside the links and if you soak it the grease will get thin and come out. I tried soaking my last chain due to stiff links and it quickly went to crap in just a few rides.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it
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rbates9
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by rbates9 »

Mr. Wibbens wrote:quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it

Why is that?
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

IMHO and many others on the web, it gets past the rings and washes away the lube

I'm getting twice the life out of my ring chains since I stopped using wd40
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by sped66 »

What do you use now Wibs?
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Tri-Flow or that Dupont Teflon

I soak it real good and then put bike up on my lift and start bike in gear just like you are not supposed to :naughty:

And use a grunge brush on the chain to get the big **** off while continuing spraying lube ever so often. I'm on my 3rd grunge brush BTW :wink:

After that I shut motor off and spin wheel by hand and use a rag on the chain, still have all my fingers but I'm not saying I've never been bitten :wink:
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by B737driver »

Recently soaked my O-Ring chain, which I thought was toast, in motor oil for a couple of days. I just put it in a gallon zip lock bag with motor oil and let it soak it up. After that I hooked it to a close hanger and hung it from a tree for a couple of days. I then put it back on (a little messy until it flung the motor oil off) and now it's good as new.

I've heard wd-40 will eat up the o-rings and attract dust, sand, etc. That was enough to steer me clear of wd as a chain lube. I now use the for mentioned method along with chain wax and have had good results. :boogie:
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Chain wax :shock:
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by kdx633 »

I'll second the DuPont Teflon as a chain lube works great and does'nt pick up dirt.The trouble with wd on an o- ring is that wd contains solvents that destroy the o rings.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Brian »

I'm thinking that since an O-ring chain has lube in it and since it is made to be lubed on the outside every so often, the O-rings are probably oil and fuel resistant...just say'n.

My wife's KDX doesn't get ridden very often and the chain is getting very stiff in places. I think I'm gonna try the "soak it in motor oil for a couple days" approach.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by SS109 »

Mr. Wibbens wrote:quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it
I agree! Personally, on O-ring chains I clean the big gunk off and then spray it down with a little Rem-Oil and that's it. Seems to work good for me.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by kyledsmith87 »

Don't pressure wash with o-ring chains either, you will just force water past the seals. WD-40 will make the seals swell and eventually deteriorate. If you really want to look after the chain just take it off and leave it in a bath of used gearbox oil or something.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by diymirage »

so how many of you actually use O ring chains?

im looking to get a new chain for my KDX soon because of how far it is stretched and i dont know if i can justify the O ring over the X ring chain or not
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Cha Ching »

I bought the Primary drive OEM sprockets and chain some time ago. The chain has stretched more than i think it should have, it will be out of adjustment soon, and need to take out a link, or buy a new chain. I do ride quite a bit, but this chain didn't last very long, IMO...It is an o-ring chain.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Cha Ching »

In all my experiences, you get what you pay for. The Primary Drive was $100 for chain and sprockets. :shock:

I will be getting a DID chain and some Renthal sprockets next time.
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Chain maintainance question.

Post by Mr. Wibbens »

diymirage wrote:so how many of you actually use O ring chains?

im looking to get a new chain for my KDX soon because of how far it is stretched and i dont know if i can justify the O ring over the X ring chain or not
I usually run non o-ring on the kdx, easier to take care of and they don't turn into a kinky mess
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