Chain

[shapeless]

Anyone have a recommendation for a chain replacement?

Mine is at about 11.5k and has a little rust on it (not sure from what). I figure while I've got it taken apart, I'd get this done while I'm at it.

I see them online for $40 - $150...is there a big difference for weekend riding?

[Ammo]

i don't think I would replace a chain due to a little rust.

whats your sprockets look like? have you maintained the chain as it should be or...

how do you maintain?

have you had to make recent adjustments?

M

[desmo2]

Your chain is a pretty important component of your drive train...I would not go cheap, here. I would stay with a major brand name (DID, RK, EK, etc).

Chains need regular lubrication to keep them from kinking up, and regular cleaning to keep them from rusting up. They are exposed to all elements, so they need frequent help to stay looking pretty.

[shapeless]

I clean and lubricate after almost every ride. I haven't taken the sprocket cover off yet to look and see what the situation is. I have had to make no adjustments.

I have a LOT of thick grease on the base of my kickstand assembly, which I assume is runoff from the chain lubricant?

[earz]

Yep, just chain lube on the kickstand. Take a picture of your rear sprocket so we can see the teeth. If the sprockets still look good, I wouldn't worry about replacing them.

BTW - what kind of lube do you use? SOme lubes fling off more than others.

[shapeless]

I'll take that apart this weekend at some point and take some pictures.

I use Motul, but I was applying it when the chain was cold for a while and apparently that's not the time to do it.

I took the kickstand assembly off and I guess I'll soak it in kerosene and probably the chain too? I assume there is a way to remove it so it can be put back on?

[Ammo]

for most folks, chain lube can/will cause more problems then it solves.

all that sticky lube does is coat the service and attract all the dust, dirt and grime resulting in premature chain death

makes a nice compound to grind away those expensive sprockets and when that happens, the chain gets all knackered up cause the spacing in the teeth goes out

a sealed chain is just that - sealed.

your primary concern is keeping everything CLEAN

I ran with a group for awhile that did a lot of endurance rides, consesus was wiping the chain down on a regular basis with WD. once I adopted the same philosophy, my chain life doubled and then some. with lube I could get around 10k +/-; with WD I never got less that 20 and went nearly 30k on several

M

[Ammo]

kerosene is a good cleaner, be careful if you decide to go after it with a brush. aggressive steel bristles can damage the orings

[shapeless]

Originally Posted by Ammo

I ran with a group for awhile that did a lot of endurance rides, consesus was wiping the chain down on a regular basis with WD.

I did that before I had the Motul cleaner and lubricant...I stopped because I read that WD breaks down the o-rings or something, but I have no idea if that's accurate.

When you say they wiped it down, did they just spray it on there and then rotate the tire against a rag or something?

[Ammo]

just spray it on and wipe it off so that its not dripping.

yes, WD will kill the orings.... eventually... but everything else will be worn out before they degrade

the grit catching paste of chain lube turns into a sort of polishing compound and kills your setup MUCH quicker under normal, realistic, everyday conditions. you'd have to extremely anal in keeping things clean to come close and that just doens't happen most times.

not many folks will not take the time to clean the old lube and gunk, apply lube sparingly, wipe off excess, etc. Its dirty, time consuming, and simply doesn't have any advantage over WD