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Chain Oil vs Wax
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:41 pm
by flw
I never used chain wax. Is it better and if so, in what way?
Also how do you apply the wax as compared to oil?
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:16 pm
by Dragonhawk
Don't use oil. That stuff gets EVERYWHERE. Even when you wipe off the excess, it makes a freakin' mess. If you REALLY want to use oil, use a heavyweight gear oil like 80W-140 or something. Heavier the better. It sticks better and is less-likey to fly-off ... of course, when it DOES fly-off, it isn't easy to clean up.
Instead, use nice spray-on chainlube like PJ1 Blue Label or something similar. It still protects and lubes the chain and isn't nearly as messy.
I speak from experience. Getting oil-stains off silver mags is not fun and not easy without harsh chemicals ... or Los Angeles tap water (which actually worked better, creepily enough...)
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:34 pm
by BuzZz
Chain wax comes in a spray can, just like regular chain lube, and is applied the same way.
Some people like wax better as it attracts less dirt, some prefer oil-based lube.... it's more about personal preference than anything else. Just pick your favorite and use it regularly.
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:53 pm
by MotoF150
The chain wax seals the chain keeping dirt from entering and keeping the lube inside the chain, and if you have an "O" or "X" ring chain using the wrong oil or lube may do harm to the O or X rings and its very important to check and adjust the correct tension of the chain everytime you take ur bike out for a ride. I know a good brand of Chain Wax that will work on any chain but I will decline to type the brand name of this product cause I don't want other people of this board calling me names and telling me im giving out wrong information. When you shop for chain wax, read the lable.
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:18 am
by Custom
i use Chain wax and never had a problem, like other says way less mess
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:51 pm
by Sev
MotoF150 wrote:its very important to check and adjust the correct tension of the chain everytime you take ur bike out for a ride.
If your chain has tension you're going to destroy your transmission.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:49 am
by flw
Sev wrote:MotoF150 wrote:its very important to check and adjust the correct tension of the chain everytime you take ur bike out for a ride.
If your chain has tension you're going to destroy your transmission.
That was always my understanding. Greater than 1/4 to 3/8 inch. 1/2 inch is abit too much on average. This is the deflection of the chain with finger pushing on it upwards from bottom. The range is because there is no truely accurate way to measure this.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:07 am
by Sev
flw wrote:Sev wrote:MotoF150 wrote:its very important to check and adjust the correct tension of the chain everytime you take ur bike out for a ride.
If your chain has tension you're going to destroy your transmission.
That was always my understanding. Greater than 1/4 to 3/8 inch. 1/2 inch is abit too much on average. This is the deflection of the chain with finger pushing on it upwards from bottom. The range is because there is no truely accurate way to measure this.
Just giving Moto a hard time because he's so smart. A belt has tension, a chain has slack. If you've got your chain under tension it's way to tight and is pulling the countershaft sprocket towards the rear of the bike. This puts some twisting side load on the countershaft which presses oddly against the mainshaft and can basically cause your transmission to shred itself.
Basically with your bike fully loaded and you sitting on it with a full tank of gas and everything you want to have about 1/4" of freeplay left in the chain. But that's bloody tough to check by yourself. And don't do it with the bike running.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:32 am
by vampyre
Check out Bel-Ray SuperClean Lube.
This stuff is great.. long lasting, and it does not fling up everywhere!
http://www.mxdeals.com/lube-chain-clean ... y-bel.html
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:28 pm
by jstark47
Sev wrote:If you've got your chain under tension it's way to tight and is pulling the countershaft sprocket towards the rear of the bike. This puts some twisting side load on the countershaft which presses oddly against the mainshaft and can basically cause your transmission to shred itself.
Basically with your bike fully loaded and you sitting on it with a full tank of gas and everything you want to have about 1/4" of freeplay left in the chain. But that's bloody tough to check by yourself. And don't do it with the bike running.
+1. A little bit too loose with the chain is nowhere near as bad as a little bit too tight.