Shaft vs Chain

Message

flynrider · Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:23 am

Sevulturus wrote: It doesn't take a long time, but grease flings off and needs to be cleaned. Tightening the chain takes work etc etc etc. It is more work to keep on the road. Though if you love the bike you won't care what the final drive is.

Since the lube required on an O-ring chain is not required for the rollers, you don't need to use the heavy lube that was commonly used on pre-O-ring chains. That heavy, sticky stuff that flies off and sticks to everything isn't required. I use a common silicone base spray lube to keep the link plates running smooth. It's light, doesn't get all over everthing, and doesn't attract dirt like the petroleum based lubes.

Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:41 am

what does that light lube do for the sprockets that dont have o rings??

flynrider · Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:19 pm

It seems to be working pretty well for them. Sprockets are still in great shape with 14K miles on them and the chain. I've only had to adjust the chain twice in those 14K.

The silicone lube seems to stay on for several hundred miles (similar to the sticky lube). After that, the chain will start getting a little more noisy (rollers on the sprocket). That's how I know it's time to hit it with lube again. Overall, my chain and sprockets are wearing fine and the back half of the bike is a whole lot cleaner.

Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:37 pm

i use the heavy stuff on mine.
i remember the old days when 90wt gear oil was the preffered lube--whole back end including tire would be covered in it.

flynrider · Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:14 am

9000white wrote:i use the heavy stuff on mine.
i remember the old days when 90wt gear oil was the preffered lube--whole back end including tire would be covered in it.

I still have an orange backpack that I used to wear when I first started riding. The back flap is covered with little spots of 90w gear oil

When it came time to clean the rear wheel, I used to go at it with a paint scraper first.

Wizzard · #16 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:24 pm

For years I use to buy the large cans of "GUNK" the kind you would brush on . Don't even see that anymore , it's all in spray cans around here .........too bad for my self .........

Regards, Wizzard

jmillheiser · Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:19 pm

Wont have the problem with the bike im picking up in a couple of weeks. Its shaft drive:D

sickchilly · Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:08 pm

You can make the choice even harder by springing a few hundred more for the Honda Aero 750. It's shaft drive like the V-star...

I'm partial to shaft drive. I personally hate chain noise that clackety whirring sound. I looked hard at the C50T, Aero, V-star and MG Nevada - all shaft drive. C50T was a bit pricey as was the MG but it was out of stock for the unforseen future. The Aero didn't have the touring bits included I wanted for commuting and it had a bit more maintenance due to the extra valve and water cooling. In the end, the V-star (admittedly a left-over '05 model on clearance) was the best bang-for-the-buck and had everything I was looking for.