I have a 2001 LT160 and it has an O-ring chain.

What are the Do's and Don'ts with lubricating the chain?

I don't want to put anything on it that will damage it.

Can I use WD40? Or what kind of lube?

Thanks

 

dont use wd40 on it, messes with the o-rings. buy a can of chain wax, clean the chain and then spray it on
and you need to keep in clean ad well lubricated for longer life of the chain

 

Ahhhh, the great chain lube debate.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
No lubricant goes past the o/x rings. Thus chain lube is a debatable thing.
I do agree that a chain should be cleaned now and then, and I do use a spray on mine, but it's more to keep rust off and lube the sprockets a lil.
I've heard about WD messing w/the o/x rings, I also see the majority spraying WD on their chains. To each his own on that one, I don't use it.

 

For this type of chain, I've read on-line articles where some say WD40 is fine. Others say not to use WD40, but use a low viscosity oil (is that like 5W-30?)

Also read about Chain Wax. Is it a lot more than other lubes?

Thanks,

 

if you think about it, WD40 is just kerosene in a can, and O-rings are rubber, kerosene and rubber dont go together. but like what was said before theres lots of debates over chain lubes

 

I don't think there's really anything you can do (assuming that common sense is being applied) that would really mess up a good o-ring chain. I use whatever is laying around to lube mine. I started out using Bardahl chain oil, but it was expensive at $10 a can, and made a big sticky mess out of my swingarm. Then I just started using whatever I found laying aroud. I've used wd-40, regular motor oil, grease in an aerosol can, and heck, sometimes I go for months at a time without touching the chain and mine has barely stretched since I got it. I think the wd has been my favorite so far, it didn't fling off and make a mess like the other stuff did, and I don't see any reason why it would mess up rubber seals. I use wd around rubber stuff all the time and it never caused a problem.

 

my opion o-ring chains are junk we have been racing mini quads for going on 4 years and they just dont seem to last any good chain lube will work but after a while the o-rings fall out at that point the it takes more horspower to turn the chain

 

that's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Do you know how long a regular, non o-ring chain lasts on a quad with a decent amount of power (not a geeky little mini) when it's rode through wet or abrasive environments like most trail riders come across? I'll answer it for you, not very long, maybe 2 or 3 good rides if you keep it lubed. And the o-rings fall out? That's funny, the original o-ring chain on my warrior had over 140 hours of riding on it, and I replaced it because it was stretched out. EVERY o-ring on it was still intact. I NEVER heard of o-rings "falling out" of a chain.

And wait, even if the o-rings, on some freak occurence did happen to just "fall out" of the chain, why would it take more HP to turn?

Quit making stuff up, NewB sauce.

 

I'm lucky to get 1 season out of any chain, the o-ring does last longer for me, I seem to stretch every chain I've had. on the 5th or 6th one now

 

Whoa,,recon99,,,the kid (or dad) showed a lil ignorance on chains but "geeky lil mini"?? Funny statement from a warrior owner. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] (OK we're even j/k) LMAO
He is correct in that a non o-ring chain rollers easyer. that's why I use #40 go-kart chain on my racers. At 15$ for 10', it's a great deal and when it gets wore slightly, you just slap another on for 4 bucks.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I'm with the bro that don't touch his for months..That's me to a T! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

BTW, I use FLUID FILM on my chains (when I do spray it). It's the absolute best lubricant/chain lube/cable lube/rust destroyer/penetrant that I've found. It stops rust and protects aluminum. It was developed for the military to protect aluminum. It surpassed the feds requirements by 7000 times (no joke).
I found it in a article here at the ATV Connection a few years back. Try it folks!