Triumphrat

tacomaguy · 05-11-2006

My 96 T-bird doesn't have a centerstand (yet). On long trips where I have no access to a lift, what is the best way to keep the chain lubricated? If we follow the guidelines it should be done every 300 miles which is basically at least once every day. The chain cover restricts easy access to most of the chain at one time. So do people just spray a short section, roll forward, spray again and keep repeating? Or is there some simple way to spray almost all of the chain without removing chain cover etc that I am missing here?

Thanks for your ideas

Paul

Tre900 · 05-11-2006

When I have sprayed the Chain (I admit that I don't do it as much as I should so thanks for posting this to reminde me) I do the short section of the chain then roll forward and I have lost any faith that I can keep my rear rim shinny.

Tre900

superfour · 05-11-2006

You could do as I have done and fit an automatic scottoiler.Saves loads of time,less adjusting,less wear.The downside is it can be messy,but it washes off easier than aerosol chainlube.Got to say I wouldn't be wihout it now.

triumphantguy · 05-11-2006

A centrestand and some type of oiler would be good investments. I just fitted a LOOBMAN, which you can order from the UK or from Aerostich folks.

Without a centrestand, buy a newspaper, put it under the area you will lube, and then move the bike and newspaper forward until all is done.

The area to lube is the top of the lower loop of the chain in front of the rear sprocket. Try to keep the lube off the tire, which is not always easy.

Try to get some lube on the plates on both sides of the chain as well as on the rollers in between.

jimmyj900 · 05-11-2006

Chain oilers are a good way to go and I've installed a Hawke Oiler on Mutato but there's a question of how much oil is actually needed.

The traditional approach is to douse the chain with heavy chain oil every 100 to 300 miles but that approach was developed for the equally traditional roller and non-roller chains. This approach works but also requires regular cleaning to remove the build-up of crud since the heavy grease tends to trap grit and work like an abrasive paste.

The modern O-ring and X-ring chains have changed that requirement since the major lubrication with those chains is enclosed inside the chain rollers and protected by the O- and X-ring seals, so the lubrication you're applying to these chains is mostly to prevent rust.

With the Hawke I push the button once or twice at low speed (usually while pulling into a gas station for a refill) and put 4 to 8 drops of engine oil on the chain. I also coat the chain side plates with chain wax about once a year to prevent rust there.

The chain and sprockets currently have about 17,000 miles on them and although there's visible wear on the rear sprocket I figure I'm good until around 20,000 miles. The big plus with the Hawke is that I'm not going to have to dig a half-pound of gritty goo out of the front chain cover but the minus is that the oil tends to fling a lot since it's thin. Of course, the excess oil prevents rust so that's not all bad and the thinner oil cleans up easily.

Jim

mb · 05-11-2006

Sears has bike and atv jack that goes on sale for about 89 bucks around fathers day. It is very stable and has long term mechanical locks to store bike in 3 different up positions. It takes me all of 30 seconds to get bike in the air, put it first, get tire and chain moving and spray chain.

i use the pro-honda white graphite chain lube it is a dry lube in an aerosol can. no slinging, little overspray, and doesn't attract dust.

jenglandtoyman · 05-12-2006

Sounds like a lot of you are using aerosols (sp?) if you don't have an automatic oiler.
I was told once that those were not adequate over the long run and an old fashioned hand oiling was the best lubrication and protection over the long run.
Was I mis-informed?
Am I wasting a significant amount of time doing it the old way?

negruber · 05-12-2006

I will second jimmyj900 on the HawkeOiler. I installed mine on a 95 speed triple and love it. I use 90wt Mobil 1 gear oil. keeps the chain nice and wet, and you control it.

Greaser · 05-12-2006

Well, what I USED to do was pack a can of chain lube and spray a short section, roll bike forward and repeat until done. I never had to remove anything.

3 years ago I got a Scotoiler from Savage Cycles on Vancouver Island. I normally use marine grade gear oil with some chainsaw bar oil added added to it ( not too much mind you!)

The bottom line is this: If you want to keep yopur bike clean, it means you will have to underoil the chain and wear it out faster. If you want a chain to last it requires some effort and mess.

Hope that helps!!!

jaben · 05-12-2006

Savage Cycles eh? I bought my03 TBS there. Where do you live Greaser?
John