Chain Maint.

[rz5mark]

I stopped lubing my o-ring chains on streetbikes about 6 years a go. I clean them really well with wd40, wipe them down and go. I figure the orings are packed with grease and I haven't noticed extra wear or needed chain adjustments. Anyone else do this ?

[Jefft]

You’re on the right track.

I stopped lubing o-ring chains about 30 years ago on the advice of motorcycle a chain rep and it made a huge difference in chain longevity. As per their packaging they recommended wiping the chain with gear oil. The gear oil was only intended to prevent surface rust. Sticky chain lube just attracts dirt and creates a grinding paste that will kill the chain. The key is keeping it clean (very clean) which I do by wiping the chain down with a clean rag and copious amounts of WD40. If you start with a really clean chain it’s not hard to keep it clean. Easy to pack a small can of WD40 and a few shop rags for trips. I have Triumph Speed Triple with 40,000km on the original chain and it has never seen a can of chain lube.
For non oring chains I flood a clean chain with chain wax, wait a several hours then wipe the chain clean.

[kilowop]

I recall one "OLD" biker back in the day advising me to use a lot of VARSOL on my chain to clean it, then apply lube.  Others used to remove the chain, clean it then soak it in a bath of Lube.  Newer "O" ring chains a LOT easier to maintain.

[Steve G.]

  I must admit to having shaft drive happening on my high mileage machines. My chain maintenance is thereby spotty, inconsistent.  My biggest use chain drive bike is my big red pig. I just swapped out chain/sprockets at 21,000 kms, which I've been told is decent lifespan for a big suspension movement on a big thumping single. which does offroad stuff.  Which is a hard place for a chain.
 Cleanliness with cosmetic forethought is I think a completely different aspect of looking after a chain. A completely dry chain looks very lovely, but the chain to sprocket mating surfaces will not do well.
  With that on all my chain bikes, WD40 is the go-to with a sacrificial rag for cleaning, with a mix of chain wax and WD40 in between cleaning. WD40 is a mix of diesel and 5w oil, the diesel slightly liquefies the chain oil.

[Runningdog]

I recall one "OLD" biker back in the day advising me to use a lot of VARSOL on my chain to clean it, then apply lube.  Others used to remove the chain, clean it then soak it in a bath of Lube.  Newer "O" ring chains a LOT easier to maintain.

I've used kerosene to attempt a rejuvination of a chain on several project bikes, soak it in a pan for a couple of days, attack with a bristle brush, wipe it dry, then hang it and apply oil of choice.  All non-o-ring chains, of course.  Worked OK.    Scott oiler on my daily bike.

[hardrockminer]

It's been a while since I've ridden my chain drive bikes, but I used to pull them off once a year and clean them in solvent, then apply Motul lube and run for another year.  All of my Kaws are 630 chain and the stretch has been virtually zero.