WD-40 Chain Lube - Boraticus?

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I use WD40 or cheap Liquid Wrench to blast the crud off a warm chain. Then I wipe it as clean as I can with old worn out terry cloth towels. When I let it dry I come back with the DuPont Multi Purpose Teflon lube and use that to lube the chain.

On my old Virago XV250 I tried just WD 40. Kept the chain clean and I didnt notice any extra wear, but It sounded noisier to me than the DuPont stuff. Plus the DuPont stuff is good at cleaning on its own and seems to really work.
 
Originally Posted By: ammolab
Dupont has a new cleaner made JUST FOR motorcycle chains...
Might me the stuff we need!

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/dupont-motorcycle-degreaser/


Wow!!

Just what we need! Another expensive product to do the same job as WD-40?

It's abundantly apparent that some people can't grasp the idea that we don't need to pay two or three times the price for task specific products when WD-40 will do the same job at a fraction of the cost!!!
 
WD40 is not strong enough film base for sprocket wear. Atleast for my riding results.

Its a great cleaner though and a mild lubricant,and doesnt harm orings.

It takes a very strong film base to eliminate cs sprocket wear, Now I expect for sprockett to show no wear more than tripple the average rider replaces worn street sprockets.
 
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I've tried WD-40, but what I have found to work well is kerosened. I buy the 1 gallon cans from home depot for around $10.00 and use a soft bristle brush coupled with a shallow pan to get the grime off. Works VERY WELL and does not harm the o-rings.

For lubrication I use a chain wax. Not sure how well it prevents wear in the long term (I just switched lubricants) but it does a great job of keeping things clean...
 
Originally Posted By: Mackelroy
WD40 is not strong enough film base for sprocket wear. Atleast for my riding results.

Its a great cleaner though and a mild lubricant,and doesnt harm orings.

It takes a very strong film base to eliminate cs sprocket wear, Now I expect for sprockett to show no wear more than tripple the average rider replaces worn street sprockets.


I disagree with your above comments.

Did you read the article that bigdreama posted?

I had 20K on the KLR. The sprockets were nowhere near worn and I suspect that they would be serviceable for two or three times the above amount if the same maintenance with WD-40 is performed and the chain properly adjusted.
 
Originally Posted By: boraticus
Originally Posted By: ammolab
Dupont has a new cleaner made JUST FOR motorcycle chains...
Might me the stuff we need!

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/dupont-motorcycle-degreaser/


Wow!!

Just what we need! Another expensive product to do the same job as WD-40?

It's abundantly apparent that some people can't grasp the idea that we don't need to pay two or three times the price for task specific products when WD-40 will do the same job at a fraction of the cost!!!


Sorry, just thought it might be good for you. What do I know from chains any how..... I ride BMWs!
 
i am having a such good time reading all of this i dont want to add anything.
laugh.gif


oh what that the he77!

have used *only* DID X-ring chains for 12 years now in offroad racing. sand, mud, dust, sand, lots of dust, more sand. its amazing how much darn sand there is around here that i didnt know about! one place we race at, they mine the sand for use in concrete for houston.

what attracts dust the fastest and keeps in place? oil!
what do we use to grind steel? sandpaper!

so what do you NOT want on a dirtbike chain? sticky oil that hold sand to it.

wd40 (water displacer version 40) is perfect for rust prevention right after washing and for cleaning. imho i've tried a lot of stuff and i dont know if i can draw any conclusions or not. too many variables with a chain in the dirt.

now my vfr800 has had the chain cleaned very with with wd40 and grunge brush and currently it has a shot of moly chain lube on it.
 
I dont need an article , I have the time under all conditions.


I said my type of ride, including on a dual sport, I can easliy tripple the life of them sprockets over a wd only user.
 
Yeah sunruh, offroad much different, street is clean so you can run a solid film base.

Id been using a certain method offroad for years, on the steet its worth 100 miles.

But I agree offroad sticky equals a no no
 
On the street , I want a very heavy film base the stays fluid and doesnt attract dirt , in the last 25 or so years, I bought two cans of maxima chain wax, the reason I bought the second, it had been ten years since buying the first, I forgot I had it. My issue with the stuff it clogs up the entire chain, the little rollers wont spin, you have to break it down with wd40, just to get it to function, and god help if you touch dirt , you'll have a solid Grinding paste in play.

I used to destroy cs sprockets pretty easly, turning to nigna stars, by 10,000 mile. I thought there was little hope. What I use is already posted in this thread.

I can post a cs sprocket with 53,000 performance ride miles on my vfr, people say I dont see a difference compared to the new one, that was my point.
 
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There are those who used the dry stuff, its equal to a wd40 film base, I saw no value there at all in reducing meatal to metal contact.

I do like the cleaning value of wd40 hot sprays after a ride, if its dirty
 
Chain adjustment trumps lube type every time.

People can talk lube all they want. If the chain is too tight, no lube will save it. A clean, properly adjusted O/X ring chain given a blast of WD-40 every 300 miles will provide excellent service of both chain and sprockets for many, many miles.

I, as well as many others, have sufficient seat time to verify that.
 
Ummm you doubt!

Oh well!

It true a particular rider can go 30,000 mile with wd40 only.

But not all!

Nice shot with the chain adjust, Ive been riding 40 years, Much in competition enviornment, so I can carry a reasonble pace.
 
Actually I have seen on several forums people saying they are getting 20k or more miles on a chain and sprocket using just old wd40.
 
i dont see anyone here changing anyone elses mind....

do what works for you, crusading to save others that dont want to be saved is pointless..

In my 22 years playing with all kinds of toys on and off road, ive tried a variety of cleaning/lubing methods.. some are a little better than others.. the fact that your cleaning, lubing, and adjusting at all is a big plus.. Frankly im not going to loose one wink of sleep trying to convince others whats best for them.. i change and modify my machines so much that ive never worn anything out, if i think something even close to being spent, new parts are ordered and life rolls on..
 
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
i dont see anyone here changing anyone elses mind....

do what works for you, crusading to save others that dont want to be saved is pointless..

In my 22 years playing with all kinds of toys on and off road, ive tried a variety of cleaning/lubing methods.. some are a little better than others.. the fact that your cleaning, lubing, and adjusting at all is a big plus.. Frankly im not going to loose one wink of sleep trying to convince others whats best for them.. i change and modify my machines so much that ive never worn anything out, if i think something even close to being spent, new parts are ordered and life rolls on..



Truer words were never spoken... I have been riding since the 60's, and believe in replacing components long before they have the chance to fail. I won't use W/D 40 to clean my chain, never mind use it for lube, but like you said, it is a waste of breath to try to convince others to do it the way you do. Just ride and have fun, and maintain your bike whichever way makes you feel superior- I mean safe.
smile.gif
 
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i put an 'X' ring chain and sprockets on my '92 fatboy when it spat a belt

that was @ 69,000km

adjusted once at about 500km, lubed every time i remember, prolly every 500km with chain lube, atf, lanolin spray, HDEO etc. sometimes i'll clean it with a water based degreaser, then WD 40, dry that off and lube it

bike now at 118,000km, chain still going strong
 
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