Clean and Lubricate your chain Correctly! Chinese bike

[Darkwhisper441]

Because WD40 is bad for chains. It's a water repellent. Not to be used on chains.

[spidiq8]

@Darkwhisper441 It is used as a cleaner / degreaser prior to lubricating the chain with proprietary chain lube, see my other responses for details and experience in using it. I wouldn't recommend it if it were not suitable for the purpose.

Looking at your video incidentally, it's titled easy way to wax a chain but it seems to just show a rear wheel spinning in gear on a paddock stand?

[Darkwhisper441]

NEVER USE WD40 ON A CHAIN.... 

[spidiq8]

@Darkwhisper441 Why? I have no problem with anyone voicing an opinion or questioning something, (especially on a site like youtube as these videos aren't gospel but the presenters opinion most often), However, making a statement, in bold no less saying DON'T DO THIS without an explanation as to why you don't think it suitable seems rather pointless.

Please feel free to expand upon your statement and i'll discuss.

[Darkwhisper441]

Because it's swell's the oring's and cause's more ware on them. Just use paraffin. It;s old school and works the best... No need for fancy sprays. Plus it's cheep..

[spidiq8]

@Darkwhisper441 If you have proof please present it.

This is yet another urban myth and has been written and read by many people, it has no basis in fact, merely people repeating verbatim something they've read themselves written by someone else with no actual experience or proof.

I'm quite confident in stating this due to the fact that over the years many have said this yet NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON has presented PROOF of this 'fact'.

Additionally I have used this cont....

[spidiq8]

@spidiq8 exclusively as a CLEANER/DEGREASER (not a lubricant) on every bike chain i've ever had, including the O Ring chain on my ZXR which is the same one as fitted when I bought it approximately 12 years ago, it is still in good shape with no seized links or stretch/wear and with plenty of adjustment remaining.

I've also been a car and motorbike mechanic for several years and have plenty of experience to draw upon.

WD40 is safe to use on rubber and plastic, INCLUDING O ring chains.

[xiB1ack0utzx]

If you use wd-40 be sure to spray it into a rag like he did. You do not want to get wd-40 into your wheel bearings.

[stephen1993wooster]

or petrol works aswell as a cleaner for the chain

[rimfa123]

Can anyone help me please? I'm a complete noob on a 1979 Kawasaki KH125, My chain seemed a bit dry so I cleaned it with a WD40 soaked rag, but then I apllied 3in1 oil to the chain, it seems to run fine, but when I drop the revs. I hear a kind of clicking sound, not grinding or anything, but I know it wasn't there before... Is 3 in 1 unsuitable or am I just being an idiot?

[spidiq8]

@rimfa123 The clicking could be dry chain links, it could also be a worn chain.

Check the chain and sprockets for wear, the teeth should be the same shape either side and check the chain tension too.

3 in 1 oil is light oil and unsuitable for chains, get some proper chain lube or use heavy engine oil, engine oil needs to be replenished weekly chain lube is stickier and will last longer, WD40 is fine for cleaning chains

[rimfa123]

@spidiq8 Ah, thanks, I'll get some decent lube asap, I'm guessing that 3in1 is okay for a couple of days? cheers...

[spidiq8]

@rimfa123 It won't hurt the chain but will fling off very quickly leaving you with a dry chain, in the meantime put some engine oil on it, not too much and just between the sideplates as per the video, use an old paintbrush to get it in neatly

[rimfa123]

@spidiq8 Thanks again:)

[redrob600]

Nice to see a chain lube video from someone who knows what they're doing ;-) As you say, some of them are quite shocking :-O

[PETAVER]

great video.. i used it to clean/lube my chain. one question.. i didnt lube the middle part of the chain where sprockets come in contact with the chain.. was i supposed to lube the middle part or did i do it incorrect?

[spidiq8]

@PETAVER A bit of chain lube on there won't hurt but the bit you're lubricating is the chain rollers and between the side plates, (on an 'O' ring it's the side plates as the rings should keep the factory grease in and crud out) this is where friction and heat are generated most and where the lube needs to be, anything extra will just fling onto the wheel, tyre, brake etc

[RichardAcer]

WD40 is water-based so dries quickly, if you don't want to have to clean it regularly then buy a good chain lube

[kwakersboy]

yep, ive been using wd40 for years,but i use a scott oiler and seldom need to clean my chain, just a quick wipe over now and then, my last chain went over 20.000 miles.

[RhODomhnaill]

I just said i read that it will..I don`t know for sure because i never tried it.I also read filling your gearbox up with sand is bad so i never tried that either.And yeah we know it aint normal rubber ofc. but i do know that kerosene IS safe and was just giving my assurance to anyone who wanted to use it.

[RhODomhnaill]

I read years ago that WD40 WILL mess up your o-rings and after seeing what it does to rubber over the years i would beleve it.

I have used kerosene on my sv650 O-ring chain for the last 8 years since i bought the bike and the chain is still like new after 16000 miles and requires ridiculously little adjustment even though i give her a right thrashing.Just use a small paint brush to apply and wipe off.kerosene is just a light oil and will do no harm whatsoever.8 years of use tells me this.

[spidiq8]

Lots of people also read that.

O rings are not 'normal rubber' theres no way they'd stand up to the immense heat and stress generated by a wildy thrashing motorbike chain.

WD40 wil not harm O rings, The O ring chain fitted to my ZXR attests to this after several years, (it was fitted when i bought the bike and is still in excellent order with masses of adjustment left and has needed little in more years than I can recall).

However believe what you will.

[MuayThai8548]

@RhODomhnaill yea oil will fuck yoru o rings kerosene is the best cleaner for the chain soak it in a bucket for a little use a nylon brush and bam your done

[IP1NKYI]

I tried cleaning my chain the other day by leaving it to soak in an oil bath. Once it had drip dried and I had wiped it over with a cloth, fitted it to my bike and all I have managed to do is cover my swingarm and spokes in specks of black oil. Damn I just cleaned the thing the day before =(

[spidiq8]

You need to clean the chain using a proprietary chain cleaner in an aerosol, or paraffin with a stiff brush or WD40, (my favourite and won't harm O rings either).

Take the chain off and give it a good going over in a tub with a small nylon bristled brush or stiff paintbrush, wipe it dry with a rag and hang to dry, then refit and lube as per my video.

[spidiq8]

Trying to clean in oil means you've soaked it in oil down the side plates and rollers, the good thing is although the swingarms a mess it won't hurt the chain, get it off the tyre and brakes if it's gotten there ASAP though

[kawanako]

What can you tell me about cleanning with kerosene? thanks and great vid.

[spidiq8]

Kerosene is fine for cleaning your bike chain, cleaning is always easier if you can remove and clean it in a tub with a stiff brush.

I wouldn't recommend it for 'O' ring chains, WD40 is fine for these.

[kwakersboy]

i could watch this stuff all day, man i gotta get some help.

[wheadle]

grand... iv got a chinese bike, the chain gets dry very fast, will save your vids and see the others

jack

[redcar18]

Briiliant video. Cheers. ive jst got my first bike and im not very clued up on how to maintain it properly so your vids are very helpful to me. thankyou very much!!!

[kens97sto171]

Great video, I agree it's refreshing to hear someone talking sensibly about important and often neglected mainenance. Your tips on how not to waste the lube informative... I had not thought of doing that way.

[spidiq8]

Why, thankyou very much kind sir.

Not often I get called an expert, though my old physics teacher always said, 'you know what they say about expert?' 'X is an unknown quantity and Spurt is a drip under pressure'

I did post this becuase of all the videos of bloody stupid and incorrect ways to lubricate chains and am just glad that you found it useful.

I hope to be getting some in depth bike reviews soon, including the Chinese bike so please check back.

[mickeymoose76]

What a refreshing change to hear a British expert talking sensibly about practical maintenance instead of some american idiot ranting on! Thanks for posting!

[kens97sto171]

Why do you need to say American idiot?

There are plenty of IDIOTS of all nationalities here on Youtube.

WOW I thought the whole world loves again now that we elected Obama???

Wait till his stimulus plan turns us into the United Socialist States of America.. You all will really love us then.

[monkeyboy27476]

I meant that the majority of vids were posted by Americans that were over the top and quite irritating, I was just nice to hear an English voice for a change, no offence

[kens97sto171]

Sorry I took it that way... just seems like everyone is always hating on the USA. here on Youtube. I appologize for assuming thats what you meant. I agree with you on the voice.. I love the accent too... Although the Scotts can be hard to understand... As are many of my fellow Americans that live in the deep South, especially in Louisianna... most times I have NO IDEA what they are saying. :)

[monkeyboy27476]

I love you Americans to be honest and have nothing at all against you, its just like I say sometimes things can be done more for showing off effect than for anything else! I agree with you about the scots, especially Glaswegians, I just nod and agree with them, its like a different language!!!