Hello fellow bikers, just wanted to get some opinions on chain lube from anyone who'd like to contribute.
Thus far, I've tried chain wax (Bel Ray, if memory serves) and DuPont's teflon spray, as well as good old gear oil. The wax / teflon didn't alleviate the worrysome (to me anyway) chain noise on my brand new Ninja 250 that I had last year. The chain was adjusted perfectly, yet I could hear the fast-paced clatter of the links rounding the sprockets while riding slowly through my neighborhood. I'd go home, spray it again and it'd be silent for a while, but the noise returns after 10 or so miles. A guy from DuPont told me that this is what is to be expected from non-oily chain lubes, and that the protection is there.
My used bikes' previous owners tended to use gear oil. I'm not sure about it's protective abilities, but I do know that it makes a helluva mess. I just took all the chain and sprocket guards off my newly acquired Ninja 650 last night and found a TON of goop caked on everything near the front sprocket. 2 cans of WD-40, half a bottle of Simple Green and and a gallon of scalding-hot water later, it was all cleaned up, along with the chain.
I tried something new (to me) last night...PJ1 Blue Label. It went on clear, and dried VERY sticky. No noise thus far, but I did notice in the heat of the day today that I'm getting a greasy drip from the front sprocket area. I guess it turns back to its liquid form when it gets heated up.
Anyway..sorry to ramble. Now give me your favorite products and your experiences. I'm still looking for that perfect product, if such a thing exists.
Thus far, I've tried chain wax (Bel Ray, if memory serves) and DuPont's teflon spray, as well as good old gear oil. The wax / teflon didn't alleviate the worrysome (to me anyway) chain noise on my brand new Ninja 250 that I had last year. The chain was adjusted perfectly, yet I could hear the fast-paced clatter of the links rounding the sprockets while riding slowly through my neighborhood. I'd go home, spray it again and it'd be silent for a while, but the noise returns after 10 or so miles. A guy from DuPont told me that this is what is to be expected from non-oily chain lubes, and that the protection is there.
My used bikes' previous owners tended to use gear oil. I'm not sure about it's protective abilities, but I do know that it makes a helluva mess. I just took all the chain and sprocket guards off my newly acquired Ninja 650 last night and found a TON of goop caked on everything near the front sprocket. 2 cans of WD-40, half a bottle of Simple Green and and a gallon of scalding-hot water later, it was all cleaned up, along with the chain.
I tried something new (to me) last night...PJ1 Blue Label. It went on clear, and dried VERY sticky. No noise thus far, but I did notice in the heat of the day today that I'm getting a greasy drip from the front sprocket area. I guess it turns back to its liquid form when it gets heated up.
Anyway..sorry to ramble. Now give me your favorite products and your experiences. I'm still looking for that perfect product, if such a thing exists.