I clean the chain every 500 miles or so with kerosen and lube it with Dupont Teflon spray. I got 25,817 miles out of this chain. Guess it's time to replace it. Can't trust it now for any extended travel.

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Regards; Aharbi

DuPont chain saver is a dry wax formula that doesn't attract dirt. I wouldn't clean it off with kerosene so often and expose the bare metal. In fact, I wouldn't clean it at all but only wipe it after each application of lube, in effect, using the lube as a cleaner. 25,000 miles seems about average for 500 mile lubing. I'm trying chain lube after every gas stop now instead of every second one to see if that increases chain life.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

this is interesting.

I've been rather negligent with my chain maintenance. I dont clean it very often, and pretty much only remember to grease/wax it after long rides.

I've been out in the rain, dirt etc.

I just had a new tire put on the back, and looks like the chain is still good for another 5000 to 6000 km according to the mechanic. I just past 41 000 km on the bike (chain is original)

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2008 Vstrom DL 1000

A little surface rust on the side plates isn't a real big deal. Rust coming out from under the rollers indicates a dying chain. No need to clean the chain unless it has a lot of abrasive grit on it, and you probably won't get that with the DuPont stuff, anyway. Just a wipe with a dry cloth, if anything, should be sufficient unless there is goopy lube residue.

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Rooster today
Feather duster tomorrow

The problem with rust is it tends to grow. When it grows past the O/X-rings, it becomes a problem as the rings no longer seal. The usual first sign of a chain needing replacement for me is kinked links.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

If I'm not mistaken, that rusty stuff is the same material that you see on each end of railway cars.... metal to metal with no lubrication causes this.
I think that's why they are closing in new cars when they are railed.
Of course I could be wayyyyyyyyy out in left field with this.
Any railway men/ladies out there?

Sorry I misspoke. I lube it before every ride and on trips once a day. I clean it with kerosene every 500 miles or so unless on a trip then it is once a week or 1,500 - 2,000 miles. As stated, rust is a sign of a dying chain. This is the first time I have ever seen rust on this chain.

Now I get to do all the chain research all over again. Seems like it changes every two years. O-ring, X-ring, W-ring, DID, EK, RK, etc 525 vs 530.

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Regards; Aharbi

I just put a Scottoiler on my Wee. Hope this will work out as well as everyone says! I had been using Dupont chainsaver, but I too saw some light rust starting after driving through 2 days of rain on a recent trip.

I think that metal to metal stuff is called fretting and happens when the parts don't get lubed or washed clean of lube from too much diligence.

I dutifully cleaned my chain with kerosene at 600mi and put on some name-brand chain lube. 600 miles later (1200mi total on the bike) I had rust already.

I commute, and the bike has seen it's share of rain - but I just can't believe how worthless that chain lube was for rust protection. On the plus side, being diligent about cleaning means I discovered it quickly.

I'm going to just start bathing my chain in WD40 and not worry about it. A regular bath of WD40 can't be that much unlike a Scott oiler, can it?