Grouch Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I've just had a good quality chain and sprocket set fitted which wasn't cheap. The last one I had fitted in April was totally knackered, even though it was the cheapest shittest set available I could have prolonged it's life by taking better care of it. I use my bike everyday to do about 8 miles, how often should I clean and lube it? I want this set to last until March when she gets sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgsm7 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 9 Months on a chain? Ouch I generally lube my chain every 300mile and lube and clean it every other time. More-so this time of year due to the dirt and grit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 9 Months on a chain? Ouch I generally lube my chain every 300mile and lube and clean it every other time. More-so this time of year due to the dirt and grit. Eh? I have just replaced it after 8 months and I want it to last another 4 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dt502001 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Lube it weekly after a ride when hot,and clean it when it's dirty.Just dont jet wash this pushes water into the links,use mineral spirts and a brush. I do this and have 22000kms on my bandits chain and it's still good only half way worn or so.The wr gets cleaned and lubed after every ride but thats different it's dirty in seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0hn Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I bought one of these "Chain Cleaning Brushes" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-4140-Chain-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B002TZWEF8/ ), pretty handy imo. You went one teeth up (15T) on your sprocket right? How is it performing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 Lube it weekly after a ride when hot,and clean it when it's dirty.Just dont jet wash this pushes water into the links,use mineral spirts and a brush. I do this and have 22000kms on my bandits chain and it's still good only half way worn or so.The wr gets cleaned and lubed after every ride but thats different it's dirty in seconds. I have been jetwashing it! Maybe that is one of the reasons why the last one went so quick. I bought one of these "Chain Cleaning Brushes" (http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B002TZWEF8/ ), pretty handy imo. You went one teeth up (15T) on your sprocket right? How is it performing? After speaking to the guy at the garage he advised against it as XT's are only 10hp it would hardly make a difference and it would lose a lot of speed when cruising. So I didn't bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 I bought one of these "Chain Cleaning Brushes" (http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B002TZWEF8/ ), pretty handy imo. You went one teeth up (15T) on your sprocket right? How is it performing? Just found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTORCYCLE-CYCLE-DIRT-BIKES-BRAKE-GEAR-CHAIN-CLEANER-AND-CHAIN-BRUSH-/330793671498?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4d04d6db4a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0hn Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Ha, looks a deal, though I find that paying a bit more for something that's geniune works out better in the long run compared to its knock-off counterpart Even though in most cases you're just paying for the "make", it puts my mind at ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 Definitely mate, it's always worth paying a bit extra for quality. What do you use as a cleaning agent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarke Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 8 months doesn't seem long at all for a chain and sprocket set... At the very least get a paint brush and 'paint' oil on it once a week.... You can get chain cleaner for about £6 - £7, might be worth using to help get the salt off. Avoid jet washing the chain as it'll not be doing it any favours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0hn Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Definitely mate, it's always worth paying a bit extra for quality. What do you use as a cleaning agent? I use Muc-Off Chain Cleaner and Silkolene Chain Lube. I wonder if the Castrol Chain Lube is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Cynic Posted November 24, 2012 Moderator Share Posted November 24, 2012 Wipe off the worst of the crud and oil it with proper chain oil weekly. Once a month more if the weather is really shocking like the other year. whip the chain off and clean it proper in a big tin then soak it with new chain lube and let it soak. My commute is 7 miles each way on shitty country roads with similar horsepower and my chain is 3 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 I have some good quality chain lube. I was only lubing once every few weeks if that! Also I sprayed it with the jet wash. I am a bit pissed off it didn't last as long as it should though. It must be the garage what fit it, I had loads of trouble with them ripping me off (big time) so it must be down to them. Did they even replace it? They could of just cleaned the original and tightened it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan09 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I tend to lube the chain after every ride but every ride is usually 150 miles each way. It gets lubed after i wash it too or been ridden in the wet, also make sure the chain is always adjusted properly otherwise it will wear out quicker still. I dont use brushes, i just spray the chain cleaner on, leave for 5mins then just use a nice old rag to get the crap off. I then generously coat the chain with wax after, youre better off lubing the chain after a ride when the chain is warm as itl take in more lube than when its cold which again will make it last longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Chain wax? Also can I lightly oil my chain with old engine oil? I will still lube as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan09 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Yeah i prefer chain wax as it doesnt fling like chain lube. I used to use old engine oil on my dt but it gets messy and goes everywhere, you also have to apply it more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouch Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 I was thinking of applying a light film of engine oil and then lubing it weekly on top of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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