Pete in PA Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I hadn't lubed my chain in a while and went on a ride Sunday. I have already learned that I can tell when the chain needs lubed while decellerating. I feel a vibration in my pegs. Well it got worse and worse into the ride towards the end (300 mile day) We stopped at a con. store and I decided to buy a can of wd-40. I sprayed it on, and smooth as can be for the rest of the ride. I got home and soaked the chain in WD, and wiped off all the other lubes till I had a clean chain. Riding to work today, I noticed a lot less rolling friction, more power etc. I might be a permanent user. I have 6 cans of diff. lubes, all the way from Honda HP Pro which leaves almost nothing when dry, to Maxima Chain Wax which leaves a caked on mess. I think all lubes leave a tacky dry film behind that actually doesn't lube, and allows dirt to stick, and wear your chain out quicker. The only problem with WD is it never seems to dry so it flings and messes. I will continue, and see if I can solve that problem. OK guys flame away, but you should try it first, especially if you are a don't clean it type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB4XX Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 WD40 is all I have ever used on any of my bikes. Clean it with an old toothbrush and a can of WD. I have 20,000 miles in 3 years with no failures. My buddy bought his 97 XX new and has used same method. He still is using original chain with 25,000 miles on it. WD works for me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I use it too. My chain guard catches most of it, but I still get some buildup at the very back, bottom corner of the fairing and on the wheel. Small price to pay for such a cheap lube. I spray mine down probably every 100-150 miles or so, and clean it with an old toothbrush about every 1,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykl Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I always use WD40 to clean my chain, but I always follow it up with a coat of Honda Lube. I'm sure I'm wasting product, but the chain on my XX is stock with 22k miles on it and seems to have at least another 3k left in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG BOY Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 YEAH, BUT THE SHIT FLYS ONTO YOUR BIKE!!!! HOW CAN YOU DO THAT TO YOUR BIKE????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrich Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Pete, The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86gn Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 As long as you use it often it will probably work OK. But it will also suck the grease out of your chain. WD40 liquifies grease thats why it works so good to clean. I have used Bel Ray superclean chain lube with good results. Doesn't fly off or attract dirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1K Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 So is it a bad idea to clean with WD-40 and then lube the chain with a chain-lube product? Cause that's what I just started doing. cleaning with WD and then lubing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Involute Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I've found that my chain sounds rough coming to a stop after a few hundred miles using just WD-40. I've gone back to cleaning with WD and using Honda Chain Lube to keep the nasty noises at bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdie_xx Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 cleaning with WD and then lubing. That's what I've been doing...... Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrich Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 So is it a bad idea to clean with WD-40 and then lube the chain with a chain-lube product?Cause that's what I just started doing. Â cleaning with WD and then lubing. Just the side plates, not the rollers. I do the same, lube with Maxima Chain Wax, no fling , no build-up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squareman357 Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Me too. Clean the side plates with WD-40 then lube up with Honda lube. SO far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Nik, To answer your question - YES, it is a bad idea to use WD-40 AND chain lube. WD-40 is a Degreaser. Chain lube is a grease. You are applying a degeaser then a grease which will make the chain lube not adhere asn tehre will still be remnents o WD-40 on there not allowing the grease to adhere. It MAY work for some for a short time but it doesn't make sense. To clean you chain use Kerosene, let dry for a few minutes then lube with chain lube of your choice, I prefer PJ-1 in the blue can. I made the TERIBLE mistake of cleaning my chain with Simple Green then applying chain lube, the Simple Green rusted my chain overnight resulting my having to replace it withing a couple hunderd miles. Use WD on your key recepticle, and some other parts but don't use both WD AND chain lube on the chain... Hope this helps Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squareman357 Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 Interesting. Never thought of it that way. Learn something new everyday. Time for a new approach LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demon Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 I use the Bell Ray superclean stuff too. When I lube up my chain, I wipe the excess off the side plates. My chain stays good and clean and it doesn't get all over my bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriddy Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 You're supposed to clean your chain??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 You're supposed to clean your chain??? you don't have to. I be alot cheaper to your pockets in the long run :twisted: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdie_xx Posted September 28, 2004 Share Posted September 28, 2004 It MAY work for some for a short time but it doesn't make sense. Hmm... :???: Somehow it works in the "long time" for me..... I just replaced my second chain at 64K miles.......... Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJP XX Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 My 97 XX had it's first chain and sprockets replaced at 38k miles. Used WD 40 on that chain. 2nd set used Maxima chain lube...lasted a total of 18k miles. I just installed the 3rd set at 92k miles and used Maxima chain lube. 2nd set was an inferior brand of chain and sprockets...live and learn. WD 40 got sprayed on every gas stop. Maxima chain lube was done every other gas stop. WD 40 is used to clean and after excess gets cleaned and run out, chain lube is applied. Current mileage on my 02 is 18k miles and I've used Maxima chain lube since 9700 miles. Perhaps Conq will chime in on what he used for chain lube until I bought his bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykl Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 Damn, and here I thought getting 25k miles out of a chain was GOOD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge7d Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 WD-40 is known to be a great solvent, but not a good lube ! Clean with it, then lube the chain... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Will WD-40 hurt the O rings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdie_xx Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Apparently not. Tsubaki even recommends it..... Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 Make sure you use one or the other. WD-40 will not harm O-rings and can be used as a lubricant and so can most of the chain lubes just don't use WD-40 then chain lube as the residue from the WD will make it so the Chain lube flies right off with no adhesion, this is why it is recommended using Kerosene as the cleaner first as it evaporates very quickly allowing the lube to then stick (funny, lube sticking, never mind...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in PA Posted October 1, 2004 Author Share Posted October 1, 2004 Well I tried to use WD-40 only but it just slings too much, had to spend an hour cleaning the back of the bike. It's still very friction free rideing though. Back to trying to find a lube I like. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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