Oiling Chain

Message

roncg41677 · Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:34 am

I just oiled my chain for the first time with some chain spray lubricant that came with my bike. Just not sure if I did it correctly.

I just sprayed some into the chain at each link I could get at, kind of in the middle of the chain, then I rolled the bike about 10 feet forward and backward a few times.

Is that all there is to it? The lubricant is this white color, and it looks pretty stuck on there. Not sure how well it's spreading. I also don't know if you have to be careful about getting it on anything else. I was very clean about it.

Sorry. Tried to post this on Gen. Maintenance board, but had problems

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Thumper · #2 Unread post by **Thumper** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:38 am

I think you can eliminate rolling backwards, but other than that... I just spray mine, roll it forward, spray, roll it forward, repeat until the entire chain has been sprayed. With today's sealed O-ring chains, that's pretty much all you need to do.

jstark47 · #3 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:42 am

That's more or less it. I always end up getting the lube in places it doesn't belong, e.g. tire sidewalls, and just wipe off the mess. With some kinds of lubricant, e.g. chain wax, it can be a good idea to run the bike a little first so the chain is warmed up. But I don't use chain wax any more - wasn't convinced it was doing the job.

Lube it every 500 miles, or any time the bike goes through rain. Assuming you have a modern bike, use a lube specifically made for O ring chains.

ichijou · #4 Unread post by **ichijou** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:12 am

after you spray it do you need to let it sit or go ride awhile, or does it not matter?

jstark47 · #5 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:44 am

Chain wax, you should go ride it a bit to help the stuff spread to where it needs to go. But for regular chain lube, it doesn't matter.

#6 Unread post by **sv-wolf** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:42 am

I've seen some manufactuers make the claim that you shouldn't use the bike for an hour or so after oiling the chain to let the aerosol gases dissolve out. I've never particularly bothered with this. I do it if I remember in time, but usually I only remember just before I set off for a ride. I cannot report any obviously bad results from this.

One tip: don't overdo the oil. It can accumulate in the gearbox if you put too much on. I used to be very generous with it and kept getting told off by the mechanic who had to service the bike. If nothing else, it keeps you on good terms with your dealer.

The general advice is to oil the inner surface of the chain (ie you oil the lower run not the upper). That way you don't fling quite as much.

Thumper · #7 Unread post by **Thumper** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:41 pm

ichijou wrote:after you spray it do you need to let it sit or go ride awhile, or does it not matter?

I've done both. But, any excuse for a ride is a good one, so airing out the newly lubed chain is a reasonable one

I don't think it'll hurt to ride, but neither will siding on the side of caution and waiting a bit. How's that for ambivalence?

HYPERR · #8 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:04 pm

I oil after a ride when the chain is nice and hot.

Dragon on Wheels · Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:36 pm

I also lubricate the chain after a ride. The instructions on the can say to wait a few minutes to let the stuff get in or something. But after a few minutes, I'll go for another ride because I've read that it's a good way to get rid of the excess, but I don't know if it actually does that.