I know some guys who say you should never lube an O-Ring chain. The very principal is the O-rings keep the factory grease in and at the same time keep dirt and grit out. He has a hopped up Banshee and a Warrior, both a couple years old, and has never lube either chain. They look good, cleaner than usual because nothing sticks to them ( from not being lubed ). His sprockets look fine, no cupping or pulling.

I wonder if lubing these O-Ring chains is really necessary?

For those of us who must lube them, what would be wrong with using your trusty old can of WD-40 to lube 'em? Why should we pay for all these specific "lube" spray cans when we can lube for a tenth the cost? Anyone know of adverse effects of WD-40 on these O-Ring chains?

 

I lube my 250R all the time with Wd-40 and it works fine. I bought the 1 gallon container at a local hardware store with the sprayer last year and I still have 1/2 gallon left. It cost me less than $13.00 dallors.

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when I rode the dunes all the time on my Banshee's I always used "dry lube" you can buy it at a local bike shop (ie. bicycle) it always worked very good, and nothing ever stuck to it. It came in a little bottle with a big needle that stuck out the top (thats how you put it on, one link at a time. Hope this helps

Brad

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FOREMANes

99'FOREMANes The REAL KING of the Jungle

 

AAh, the never ending question, to lube or not to lube? It's like, "Did Adam have a navel"
People more knowledgible than me say that lubing the old style chain served to lube the rollers; now that the rollers are permanently lubed & sealed (more or less), the necessity becomes moot. The only purpose in lubing then, is to keep the side plates free and to prevent rust when not ridden. Further WD40 has little if any lubricating qualities. It's purpose is to clean or prevent rust & possibly contains solvents harmful to rubber o-rings, according to some authorities.
In my case I still lube my chain prior to every ride with Maxima Chain Wax, which is a spray. The carrier dries almost immediately & there is absolutely no greasy residue to trap all the Az dust. All you can feel is a waxy coating. So, maybe we don't need it, but using the right one couldn't hurt, and it causes one to inspect his chain & other parts while he's down there .

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THE AZ HARD PACKER, calmiller@kachina.net

save the public land FOR you, not FROM you..join the Blue Ribbon Coalition online @ www.sharetrails.org



[This message has been edited by hot_shoe_cv (edited 11-18-1999).]

 

I heard the same thing about WD-40, that it could eat away at the o-rings. I use the chain wax also, but I hate having to take a ride just to get the chain hot for the wax to melt, then letting it dry before you ride. It does work good though.

 

I know the instructions on the can of Chain Wax say to warm up the chain by riding b4 application but I have never done that as I can't ride at my house. It seems to work anyway as I can feel the waxy coating. Probably in colder climates than Az it would be necessary. Oh yes, Maxima also makes a lube for non o-ring chains, I believe, so be sure to pick up the right one

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THE AZ HARD PACKER, calmiller@kachina.net

save the public land FOR you, not FROM you..join the Blue Ribbon Coalition online @ www.sharetrails.org

 

I use WD-40 on my chain basically for cleaning purposes. Every so often, I spray my chain with WD-40, then wipe it off with a rag. By this time, the chain is looking clean and shiny, then I put a chain wax or a chain oil on it. I've seen some o-ring chains that were never lubricated: every o-ring has cracks on them as if they're weatherchecked, just like tires get. And this is on a 97 machine also, but with around 1000 miles on. So I would recommend putting something on them.

 

After wearing out the factory chain in about 1100 miles of tough ridding.I now pay close attenion to that chain.Even with lubing the chain before every ride with Honda lube.I believe dirt/coal dust killed my chain.( Had kinks in it).

Trying to get that unstopable slim off my chain proved tough.And it looked like it ground the o-rings to shreads.

Now, After every ride,I put the skid plate up on a milk crate. Start the motor and clutch it in two second gear.Let it sit their and run,And use a rough nylon brush with Mr clean to clean the sides.Then a soft brush to clean the center links.

Clutch it in to third, To spin dry, And then lube.Presto clean,Dry ,Lubed $90 chain.

 

Point of interest: WD-40
Technical Definition: Water Displacment #40

WD-40 is not a lubricant, although it appears to have the characteristics of one. With reference to an article in a Quad Mag (cant remember which one) they said that after washing your Quad, use WD-40 to displace the water off of the critcal components.

Ron.. Suzuki LT F500 Quadrunner

 

r34 has made a very good point & one of the characteristics of WD40 that I failed to mention earlier; namely, water displacement.That brings up another tip I failed to mention. Don't lube you chain while it's wet, especially with Chain Wax as the parrafin base will seal in the moisture. I always wash my quads the day before I lube the chain & here in Az that gives it time to dry...rust isn't a problem here.

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THE AZ HARD PACKER, calmiller@kachina.net

save the public land FOR you, not FROM you..join the Blue Ribbon Coalition online @ www.sharetrails.org