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Question for those of you who claim no need to lubricate chains...

ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Adventure and Dual Sport
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Location
Meridian, ID
Moto(s)
Honda XR650L, KTM 790 Adv R
I know there are a few of you here on BARF who claim that you get by just fine never lubricating your chain. That you don't see more wear and everything stays cleaner.

The chain on my XR was getting a bit dry and I rode it just a few miles on wet roads on Wednesday. Not thinking much about it, I put the bike away wet. When I went to ride it the next day, I noticed small bits of rust forming on the chain side plates. A quick spray with lubricant fixed it, so no big deal.

So I'm wondering if those of you who don't lubricate your chains never ride in the wet. Otherwise, how do you avoid bits of rust on the chain if it ever gets wet?
 
ha, I've always wondered that myself.

I've seen some non-lubed chains on liter bikes last 10K.... I hope the no-lubers won't be afraid to speak up
 
This thread should be a riot.

I'll clean (what can be cleaned when Ya clean) my chain once a year.
And lube it(what can be lubed, when Ya lube).

That's just applying to my use...No one elses.

I ride 6 miles of dirt/gravel, every time I ride.

Clean and dry outer surfaces don't collect and hold dirt.

Lube a dirty chain, and you wash dirt into/under the outer roller, and it stays there as a grinding paste.

The lube that a chain needs, to live, is put there in the factory,in assembly, and the O (or X) rings keep it inside, and the dirt outside, of the pins and rollers, that are important.

Now in the bad old days before O-Ring chains...it was a different story.
And the Brit bunch that ride rain on a regular basis, have a valid reason for their Scott oilers.

But ... some rust spots? Do Gold chains get rust?
 
My new Ducati's manual only states to inspect the chain. It does not say that lubrication is required. In fact (and I hate saying this :laughing) it pretty much mirrors what Lou said with a basic statement about the chain having O-rings that retain the lubrication from the manufacturer.
 
i hear the same on the triumph twins forums-an amazing amount of riders never clean or lube their chains.they claim they are using the stock chain 20- 30,000 miles no problem.
 
I put 18K on my Sprint ST before selling it. Never lubed the chain once. Only adjusted it for tension. Just doing what the manual said. :dunno
 
TSUBAKI Sealed chains are pre-lubricated at the factory with special grease. However, external (Rollers, inner- and outside plates) lubrication every 500Km. (300 miles) or sooner, depending on usage and conditions, will help keep the chain clean, corrosion free and ensure maximum performance. Use O-ring safe lubricant.
Click to expand...

In the O-Ring chains, lubrication is provided by grease sealed in the working area by O-Rings.However, it is still necessary to provide periodic lubrication to the chain. Lubricant between roller and bushings will decrease friction and heat, and will improve the efficiency of the drive, extending chain and sprockets life.
Click to expand...

I take this as "lube it but don't need to be crazy about it." The chain lube I use dries to a sorta chalky consistency so it does not attract dirt or grit.
 
I always kill my CS sprocket before I kill my chain. People who claim 30k from a chain must ride really gently or are running around with a saw blade CS sprocket.
 
I don't lube chains. I'll clean the dirt off them, but I don't lube them. It's all trapped under the x-ring, spraying it with wax just makes everything gooey with a perfect place for dirt to cling onto, but it doesn't get past the x-ring lubing it more.

DID gold chains don't tend to rust, and I have never had a chain fail. I just replace them when they are out of adjustment tolerances.
 
The puny chains on smaller bikes, e.g., GS500, DRZ400sm, seem to wear out quicker - around 12k miles. Beefier chains on bigger bikes seem to last longer - over 20k mi; my guess is they're way under stressed in street use. Also some chains seem more prone to light rusting than others.

I understand x/o chains need no internal lube and many people go overboard with chain maintenance (and oil changes), but what about the metal-to-metal contact surfaces between the chain and the sprockets - no lube needed there either?
 
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Interesting...

I clean and lube the chain in my SV all the damn time. Maybe I just need to spend more time riding!
 
I don't even bother cleaning mine. The accumulated grime protects the chain from rust and UV damage
 
Gary856 said:
The puny chains on smaller bikes, e.g., GS500, DRZ400sm, seem to wear out quicker - around 12k miles. Beefier chains on bigger bikes seem to last longer - over 20k mi; my guess is they're way under stressed in street use.
Click to expand...



My experience is the opposite... low weight, low horsepower = chain lasts forever. Higher weight, higher horsepower, CS sprocket goes to pot in 10k miles. I replace everything at once, so while the chain may still be in spec, it gets tossed. The system wore out.
 
Gary856 said:
I understand x/o chains need no internal lube and many people go overboard with chain maintenance (and oil changes), but what about the metal-to-metal contact surfaces between the chain and the sprockets - no lube needed there either?
Click to expand...

I have found that lubing the chain only attracts dirt. It's like making the chain a belt sander IMO. Dirt just falls off a dry chain.
 
I lube my chain with synthetic motor oil because it is the best. If it is good enough for other people's engines it is good enough for my chain. Never use non-synthetic after the first 100 miles. Switch to syntheitc as soon as you can.

I use dupont chain saver in my engine instead of oil because it lubricates dryly and keeps the engine running smooth. Also it doesn't attract dirt.

Magnets work for stoplight sensors. I use deer whistles and have never hit a deer. Loud pipes save lives. Lane splitting is unsafe. Hi Viz is bullshit and doesn't help. Triple engines are inherently stable...according to my uncle, who is an engineer on a train.

Also, the curiosity is not on mars, it is on a sound stage in LA.

I like tortises.
 
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