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Chain lube-here we go!

14K views 73 replies 35 participants last post by  JustAnotherDude 
#1 ·
I have been reading the old lube threads (cause I like different opinions) and one thing I noticed is a lot of folk like the DuPont Chain Saver, but they keep talking about how DuPont changed the formula from the blue can stuff. Now these threads were all a few years old, so it is easy to get confused. Anyway, it is now 2019. I was in Walmart today and they have yellow can DuPont Chain Saver WAX based chain lube. I have used it and while it goes on thin, it quickly dries to a clear, waxy film. Just sayin, it seems like really good stuff. Smells like Maxima, but dries clear and doesn't attract dirt. Seven bucks a can. Let the games begin!
 
#2 ·
Yeah, that's stuff we're talking about. I don't think the formula for the Chain Saver changed, it was the original DuPont Teflon dry wax lube that changed and became unsuitable for chain use. I like the DuPont Chain Saver lube. As you say, goes on thin and dries clear and dry. Not the longest lasting (in terms of mileage) lube that I've used, but as good as any of the dry lubes I've used in that regard, with a minimum of mess and fling.

In the past I regularly used:
Maxima chain wax (literally stinks like an oil refinery when applied)
PJ1 Blue Label (pretty good stuff, flings a bit more than Chain Saver)
Motul clear lube (pretty good, flings a bit more)
Spray grease (industrial stuff I got from a friend. Was actually really good, quite similar to PJ1. Light purplish colour. Great for pivot points and such, too).

But the chain saver stuff has been my go to for quite a few years now, and the Teflon dry wax stuff before that.

A few years ago I tried Motul Chain Paste. Didn't care for it, personally - kind of messy, prone to flinging off, and I could hear my x-rings squeaking between the sideplates (yes, seriously) of the chain while rolling the bike around my garage. Chain died early, too.
 
#5 ·
When people give chain lube advice and mention which chain lube they like the best, I like to ask why.

To me chain life is the most important factor. In a poll I did here years ago it came out that most chains lasted around 20,000 to 25,000 miles and it didn't seem to matter what lube they used. In some cases riders got the same life using no lube. Riders that lubed a lot, typically with auto chain oilers, reported much greater chain life.

I have never used a chain oiler but lube with every fill up and after every ride in the rain. I use Wurth HHS2000. Since doing that My chains have lasted way longer than what most get. The chain on my 2015 DL1000 currently had 85,814 km / 53,322 miles on the last fillup. It will most likely be replaced when I change my rear tire. This should be somewhere in the next 6,000 or 7,000 km / 3,500 to 4,000 miles.


..Tom
 
#7 · (Edited)
.....To me chain life is the most important factor.....

..Tom
I currently have over 32,000 miles (59,000 km) on my ZRX1200 EK chain with no signs of problems. I use the NAPA product mentioned above. I lube the change every other gas fill up (approx. 300 miles). I also never clean the chain with solvents. My feeling is that solvents tend to remove the lubricants behind the O ring causing the chain to fail prematurely.

IMPORTANT: I apply the lube to a cloth, then wipe the chain with the cloth. This prevents putting too much lube on the chain AND cleans off dirt and build-up at the same time.
 
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#6 ·
I wipe-down with kerosene on a rag and lube with 90wt synthetic gear oil (from any local autopart store for a few bucks per big bottle.) Just as Suzuki recommended...for decades... Near 25K on this chain and I expect atleast another 10k+. No rust, no kinks/tight spots, looks perfect. Daily if I'm touiring (at the end of each day) or once a week or so if I'm just cruising about near home.
 
#9 ·
On the topic of Dupont's new yellow can, it's a great creeper oil... it'll get everywhere fast, then dry just as quick. I have loads of it before I convinced myself to buy HHS2000 because of Tom's amazing chain and sprocket life.

I'll probably use it at some point. It's a great lube for bicycle chains and is my go to for my mountain bike.
 
#13 ·
Eh... why not? They could be combined, and then it could turn into something like the utterly unusable, unmanageable, decade+ long, 2500-post oil thread. That is one message thread in serious need of separating the wheat from the chaff. Better yet, cull it all the way down to a current list of mineral and synthetic oils that meet the Suzuki recommended spec, and trash the other 99% of the messages, then let it grow anew. Or just lock it and let a new one grow, hopefully one that remains objective, factual, and science based, free of subjectivity, unsubstantiated opinion, and emotionally charged sentimentality for Brand X or Brand Y. (It's nice to dream.)

But, to stay on topic here, over the winter I bought a can of Original Bike Spirits Chain Lube (off the review if it at Web Bike World, and I think from an old rec. from Big B(?) saying he'd used it in the past). It replaced my nearly empty can of the old Dupont blue label spray that they discontinued back around 2012. I bought the OBS before finding info on the Wurth HHS2000 spray, but either should prove beneficial to a long chain and sprocket service life.

The reality- whatever you use is better than nothing. Every couple/few tanks of gas, spray it on, wipe it down, and keep rolling down the road.

Steve.
 
#19 ·
anything that keeps the O-rings clean will let your chain last as long as it's capable. The lube doesn't lube anything, but it does keep the O-rings supple and clean, which is the only thing that keeps the lube 'inside' the chain (the original lube from the chain factory manufacturing process). Chain oilers keep a continuous oil film on the o-rings which prevents dirt from settling for very long on a chain - essentially washing the chain with tiny amounts of oil every time you ride - that's why they are so effective.
 
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#29 ·
When my last can of original recipe Du Pont was gone I switched to Tirox, which Web Bike World rates highly and a replacement for the original recipe. Not as cheap as the old Du Pont but works as well if not better. The downside is for me, it does not last a couple of seasons as mentioned by Web Bike. Lubing daily, I get about two-three weeks or 4,500 miles.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/tirox-chain-wax-review/
 
#36 ·

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#39 ·
Hmmmm, I have a can of this on my shelf. I sprayed nearly the whole bike down with it before winter in the hopes that it would keep some of the road grime nastiness at bay and help make spring clean up easier. Never once considered it for chain lube.
 
#40 ·
They used to have small cans too. I would keep a small can on the bike and the big can at home. Haven't seen the small cans for a while.
 
#42 ·
I tried 3 different DuPont products, in fact i tried many brands over the years. Now i go for motul.
I lube every ~500kms, haven't really seen a difference in chain lifespan.


Like those elusive magical tires people talk about, i would love to find a chain that would last me 50000kms+.

:D
 
#43 ·
.....I would love to find a chain that would last me 50000kms+.....

:D
I have an EK ZVX2 chain on my ZRX1200 that currently has ~34,000 miles on the clock and still going strong. That's ~54,700 kms!!!

I lube it every 300 miles and have NEVER used a solvent of any kind to clean it. I just wipe it down with the lube. :thumbup:
 
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#50 ·
I've been using this lately, for no other reason than my local dealer carries it and it gives me a chance to show my face there and spend a few bucks to keep my name active on their customer data base. (And it works good too, white lith base, minimal fling.)
 

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#53 ·
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#58 · (Edited)
I"ve been using BelRay Super Clean For 10 years on my 650 and then the first few thousand on my 1000. Chains lasted 27-28 K lubing every 300 mi. Last summmer while at a rally I got talking to a Amsoil dealer about a chain lube displayed. It listed fo $11.45, but he offered it to me for a member price of $9(Far less than BelRay). Used it ever since and found my chain was quieter than before. 17K now and still haven't had to do an adjustment. It does have a little fling off but not much(Can live with that). Will stick with it at least through the life of the chain to see the results.
Anyone else using Amsoil lube?

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-prod...ers-and-protectants/chain-lube/?code=ACLSC-EA
 
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