Author Topic: Chain questions... (Read 1276 times)

PatM · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2014, 09:46:48 PM »

Quote from: kneescrubber on April 21, 2014, 08:22:53 PM

Quote from: PatM on April 21, 2014, 06:53:20 PM
Quote from: kneescrubber on April 21, 2014, 06:48:41 PM
Quote from: PatM on April 21, 2014, 06:42:56 PM
Quote from: kneescrubber on April 21, 2014, 06:19:06 PM
Quote from: Scratch on April 21, 2014, 06:10:12 PM
Quote from: SWriverstone on April 21, 2014, 06:01:57 PM
My next bike is definitely going to be a shaft drive

What could possibly go wrong?

I have no earthly idea.

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Final drives never fail...

...except when they fail. Their reliability is however way better than unmaintained chains.

It didn't. Look closer.

This is not exactly a brand new bike. It must have a few more mile on the odo than the 5K the PO got on his chain.

IIRC about 8 years old and about 70K miles. And still; not a final drive failure.

My point is; abuse is abuse. The pic I posted was from abuse. The OP's original question is also the result of abuse. That's all I'm saying.

I understand your point but you didn't get mine either. Final drives may fail sometimes but chains will fail a lot faster if neglected.
Do most final drives fail due to abuse? I don't know but the three guys I know who had final drive failure, one LT (twice), one RT and one K12GT weren't abusers.

Scratch · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2014, 08:27:14 AM »

F'n FD's.

chornbe · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2014, 08:58:10 AM »

Quote from: SWriverstone on April 21, 2014, 06:01:57 PM

Okay---I'm clearly clueless when it comes to evaluating sprockets. LOL But I defer to the wisdom of the collective. (And I do remember sprockets not being expensive.)

Though I did neglect my chain...it's not like I never cleaned it. I just didn't clean it when it was 30 degrees (or colder) in the garage. Which was like all winter.

Even so, I'm amazed that the thing could be so hosed after just 4-5K miles. When I put the rear up and rotate the rear wheel, the chain is WAY out of whack in terms of loose and tight spots---like in one position there is NO slack...and halfway around there is about 2 inches of slack.

I'm guessing riding 2-up doesn't help chain life (though I'm not sure how much faster that wrecks it?).

Regardless, I've definitely reached a stage in my motorcycling life where I say "EFF CHAINS!!!" My next bike is definitely going to be a shaft drive---I couldn't care less how much HP I lose from the added weight.

Scott

You won't hear me judging.

1) I hate - ABHOR - chain maintenance, especially during a trip.
2) I prefer a shaft drive.
3) I hate - ABHOR - chain maintenance, especially in winter, wet weather or any time I have to do chain maintenance.
4) Screw chains.

chornbe · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2014, 09:00:44 AM »

Quote from: Downs on April 21, 2014, 06:40:02 PM

Also the only shaft options out there now days for the most part are the big bore bikes like the FJR, C14, ect.

That's because of all the bullshit and ill-informed whining by people who don't know how to ride a motorcycle about "those damned power robbing shaft drives."

Yeah, they *really* take 30% of your engine's power.

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks that pretty much any modern motorcycle doesn't have "enough power" is kind of an asshole or an adrenaline junkie.

Note: Yes, of course everyone enjoys more power whenever possible, but need...? Nope. Learn how to ride.

chornbe · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2014, 09:04:30 AM »

Quote from: M.Brane on April 21, 2014, 08:52:28 PM

Never, ever, clean your chain with anything other than a rag soaked with some mild cleaner. Spraying your chain with anything other than lubricant ( hint: WD40 is NOT a lubricant ) or soaking it in kerosine ( really? ) will accelerate it's demise.

+1

Simple Green (or other appropriate cleaner) to clean

Proper chain lube (pick your fave from a plethora) to lube.

As noted, WD-40 is not a lubricant, not is it strictly a cleaner, though it has *some* properties of both.

Max Wedge · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2014, 10:39:47 AM »

Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 09:00:44 AM

Quote from: Downs on April 21, 2014, 06:40:02 PM

Also the only shaft options out there now days for the most part are the big bore bikes like the FJR, C14, ect.

That's because of all the bullshit and ill-informed whining by people who don't know how to ride a motorcycle about "those damned power robbing shaft drives." Yeah, they *really* take 30% of your engine's power.

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks that pretty much any modern motorcycle doesn't have "enough power" is kind of an asshole or an adrenaline junkie.

Note: Yes, of course everyone enjoys more power whenever possible, but need...? Nope. Learn how to ride.

So where are all our toothed belts? (Besides the F800 BMW)

chornbe · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2014, 10:44:21 AM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on April 22, 2014, 10:39:47 AM

So where are all out toothed belts? (Besides the F800 BMW)

I have no idea why they aren't more popular on anything but full on sport bikes. Harley seems to have zero trouble with 80+ ft-lb torque monsters. BMW seems to have zero issues on the F800s. Some of Suzuki's and Kawasaki's cruisers use them just fine (or at least used to). I don't get it. I think for non-RR bikes, they're a superb option over chains.

$.02

CLAY · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2014, 11:27:56 AM »

I can see some chains over belts just because people like me like to play with the ratios. I've never had a bike just stock- I nearly always swap sprockets to find the sweet spot for me.

In fact, the '75 I just restored has a stock setup on it right now- and I think I am going to go with a +2 on the back to make pulling away easier.

redbandit14 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 07, 2014, 02:10:52 PM »

Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 09:04:30 AM

Quote from: M.Brane on April 21, 2014, 08:52:28 PM
Never, ever, clean your chain with anything other than a rag soaked with some mild cleaner. Spraying your chain with anything other than lubricant ( hint: WD40 is NOT a lubricant ) or soaking it in kerosine ( really? ) will accelerate it's demise.

+1

Simple Green (or other appropriate cleaner) to clean

Proper chain lube (pick your fave from a plethora) to lube.

As noted, WD-40 is not a lubricant, not is it strictly a cleaner, though it has *some* properties of both.

meh , I've never used anything but kerosene and I've never had unusually short chain life.

And for some reason I LOVE chain maintenance not as much on trips of course

but it just seems to keep me focused.

Dan K · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2014, 02:17:35 PM »

I actually bought a can of kerosene. Have yet to use it - every time I've pulled into the garage, I've been in a hurry, and by the time I'm free the chain is cooled down. Supposed to do it with a warm chain fresh off a ride, right?

Why is that, by the way? The rings/seals are expanded from warmth, so less of a chance of leakage or penetration by the cleaner or lube?

-Dan

kneescrubber · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2014, 05:49:47 PM »

Quote from: Dan K on May 07, 2014, 02:17:35 PM

I actually bought a can of kerosene. Have yet to use it - every time I've pulled into the garage, I've been in a hurry, and by the time I'm free the chain is cooled down. Supposed to do it with a warm chain fresh off a ride, right?

Why is that, by the way? The rings/seals are expanded from warmth, so less of a chance of leakage or penetration by the cleaner or lube?

-Dan

Not sure where you got that. I have a 5 gallon can of kerosine and harbor freight parts washer for chain cleaning and parts washing. I don't recall ever warming up the chain before cleaning it.

Wesley · « **Reply #26 on:** May 08, 2014, 08:45:12 AM »

Quote from: redbandit14 on May 07, 2014, 02:10:52 PM

Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 09:04:30 AM
Quote from: M.Brane on April 21, 2014, 08:52:28 PM
Never, ever, clean your chain with anything other than a rag soaked with some mild cleaner. Spraying your chain with anything other than lubricant ( hint: WD40 is NOT a lubricant ) or soaking it in kerosine ( really? ) will accelerate it's demise.

+1

Simple Green (or other appropriate cleaner) to clean

Proper chain lube (pick your fave from a plethora) to lube.

As noted, WD-40 is not a lubricant, not is it strictly a cleaner, though it has *some* properties of both.
meh , I've never used anything but kerosene and I've never had unusually short chain life.

And for some reason I LOVE chain maintenance not as much on trips of course but it just seems to keep me focused.

My results are similar to redbandit14's. I soak my chain in kerosene for a good, deep cleaning each spring, and use chain lube/wax as needed througout the year. I got 20k+ miles out of my last chain--granted, I'm not abusive on my motorcycle and most of those were commuting miles.

Warming up a chain is only be necessary for applying chain lube or chain wax.

coucours grad · « **Reply #27 on:** May 08, 2014, 10:57:57 AM »

Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 08:58:10 AM

Quote from: SWriverstone on April 21, 2014, 06:01:57 PM
Okay---I'm clearly clueless when it comes to evaluating sprockets. LOL But I defer to the wisdom of the collective. (And I do remember sprockets not being expensive.)

Though I did neglect my chain...it's not like I never cleaned it. I just didn't clean it when it was 30 degrees (or colder) in the garage. Which was like all winter.

Even so, I'm amazed that the thing could be so hosed after just 4-5K miles. When I put the rear up and rotate the rear wheel, the chain is WAY out of whack in terms of loose and tight spots---like in one position there is NO slack...and halfway around there is about 2 inches of slack.

I'm guessing riding 2-up doesn't help chain life (though I'm not sure how much faster that wrecks it?).

Regardless, I've definitely reached a stage in my motorcycling life where I say "EFF CHAINS!!!" My next bike is definitely going to be a shaft drive---I couldn't care less how much HP I lose from the added weight.

Scott

You won't hear me judging.

1) I hate - ABHOR - chain maintenance, especially during a trip.
2) I prefer a shaft drive.
3) I hate - ABHOR - chain maintenance, especially in winter, wet weather or any time I have to do chain maintenance.
4) Screw chains.

Shaft driven, water cooled and multi cylinder....Everything else just wastes perfectly good riding time.

Dan K · « **Reply #28 on:** May 08, 2014, 12:59:38 PM »

Quote from: Wesley on May 08, 2014, 08:45:12 AM

Quote from: redbandit14 on May 07, 2014, 02:10:52 PM
Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 09:04:30 AM
Quote from: M.Brane on April 21, 2014, 08:52:28 PM
Never, ever, clean your chain with anything other than a rag soaked with some mild cleaner. Spraying your chain with anything other than lubricant ( hint: WD40 is NOT a lubricant ) or soaking it in kerosine ( really? ) will accelerate it's demise.

+1

Simple Green (or other appropriate cleaner) to clean

Proper chain lube (pick your fave from a plethora) to lube.

As noted, WD-40 is not a lubricant, not is it strictly a cleaner, though it has *some* properties of both.
meh , I've never used anything but kerosene and I've never had unusually short chain life.

And for some reason I LOVE chain maintenance not as much on trips of course but it just seems to keep me focused.

My results are similar to redbandit14's. I soak my chain in kerosene for a good, deep cleaning each spring, and use chain lube/wax as needed througout the year. I got 20k+ miles out of my last chain--granted, I'm not abusive on my motorcycle and most of those were commuting miles.

Warming up a chain is only be necessary for applying chain lube or chain wax.

Got it. So I can use the Kerosene (just a gallon can) to clean the chain, cold or not. Sometimes I just take some motor oil in a shop rag and with the back wheel lifted I just spin the wheel by hand and wipe the chain with the rag. I'll likely do that after the kerosene, then after another few hundred miles I'll just hit it with some spray lube.

Cookie · « **Reply #29 on:** May 08, 2014, 05:18:29 PM »

Clean? Chain? Uh oh.

Sent from the Moto X. A wicked awesome phone.

Author Topic: Chain questions... (Read 1276 times)

PatM

Re: Chain questions...

Scratch

Re: Chain questions...

chornbe

Re: Chain questions...

chornbe

Re: Chain questions...

chornbe

Re: Chain questions...

Max Wedge

Re: Chain questions...

chornbe

Re: Chain questions...

CLAY

Re: Chain questions...

redbandit14

Re: Chain questions...

Dan K

Re: Chain questions...

kneescrubber

Re: Chain questions...

Wesley

Re: Chain questions...

coucours grad

Re: Chain questions...

Dan K

Re: Chain questions...

Cookie

Re: Chain questions...