Re: Best Chain Lube ?

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Re: Best Chain Lube ?

I have been using gear oil (90 grade) for lubing and kerosene for cleaning. The chain remains pretty smooth. A bottle of oil costs around 250 rupees and even with regular use (every 500 km) the bottle has lasted for more than a year. The downsides are that it attracts dust and the oil gets sprayed around the chain guard and rims causing a mess. If you have the 2018 Dominar with the golden rims then God help you.

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

You can try Putoline Tech Chain Lube. It is sticky,lasts desired period.

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

Please don't take it otherwise, I just want to ask, what do you mean by drying up? Do you mean it doesn't stick like oil between the sprocket teeth and chain roller? I was surprised by reading that it dried up and I assumed that you are talking about lube not sticking between chain's roller and the sprocket teeth.

For O-ring chains (as in Dominar 400), Chain lube needs to cover & protect the O-rings only, not the actual links. I have been using MOTUL C2 since 6 months now, I had to apply it only 2 times in that duration, that too with heavy usage in sandy climate. We need to apply the chain lube to the sides i.e. plates instead of the roller, any lubrication between roller & sprocket teeth will not stay beyond 1 km of running. Once we apply plenty of chain lube to the plates from various angles, (at least in my case) Motul C2 sticks and stays for months. Also, you can't just top-up i.e. spray the lube again, you need to thoroughly wash, clean and DRY the chain before applying the chain lube otherwise it won't stick.

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

Hi,

So far I have used

MOTUL C1 and C2 - too sticky ruins rims in 390. Flouro orange fades.
Rolon chain lube - Good and thin enough lasts upto 400kms max.
Rolon white chain lube - silicon based repels water like crazy, must on monsoon.
Glossil chain lube - cheapest option lasts upto 300 or 350 kms. Sticky enough and quite easy to clean.
3M chain lube - thin and cures to a mild thick coat. Lasts 400kms, pricy.
90w gear oil - easy to clean, lasts 300kms on average. By far cheapest option. Most chain manufacturers recommend 90w gear oil. One set back is application isn't easy like a pressurized aerosol can. One need to have oil dispenser carrying while travel.

I would ask you to use dry chain lube. Like putoline drytech or rolon white chain lube. By so one can least save some time cleaning nasty chain goop on front sprocket..

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

Ummm can you share your R&D notes on this topic? Hehe, just kidding, it feels like you have meticulously researched and written down the results like a scientist.

BTW what do you mean by "ruined the rims"? Kindly elaborate. So far, my experience was satisfactory with Motul C2, just need to know whether I should invest in a better one right now. By the looks of it, Motul C2 also looks water-proof, does it get completely washed away in wet conditions?

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

Hi,
Ruins the rim's flouro orange. The spots where chain lube splatters gets faded pretty easily.
Also motul is too sticky it attracts most dust and grime causing all the mud and dirt to wear out chain pretty quickly.
I would recommend something that repels water, non sticky with dust and sand. Forms just a mild coating like a teflon or wax.
It will keep the chain running pretty quiet, cuz whatever lube we use and how pricy it is it never penetrates to the inner bushings and pins. As most chains carry o rings or x rings.

Regards
Manoj Sivaraman..

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

I have used Motul c2 so far and its alright, the new found smooth fades within 10kms and then the bike behaves normally. Lasts 450kms for me, city riding in Delhi.
Drytech from Puotline is best so far and claimed by many if your budget allows. I have tried the C5 chain paste from Motul and its smoothness lasted longer. And for almost no dust on the chain compared to C2 after 2 months usage.

Re: Best Chain Lube ?


Hey, I went to Bajaj SVC for ECU updation and told them to wash and clean the chain specifically. BUT even after that, when I touched the chain, I found little bit of black sludge. Isn't that incomplete cleaning? The chain should be sparkling clean before applying new coat of chain lube, isn't it?

ALSO, the above guy talked about new found smoothness, but AFAIK we shouldn't judge a chain lube (for O-ring) based on smoothness. That smoothness comes from the temporary greasing between chain rollers and sprocket teeth which is bound to fade because of immense frictional forces. BUT that is not the actual function of O-ring lubrication, we need to protect the RUBBER O-RINGS by coating it in a sticky substance so that it won't be exposed to environmental elements because that O-ring seals the REAL lubricant inside the rollers. Just a healthy discussion, please feel free to correct.

Re: Best Chain Lube ?

Most use diesel for cleaning and use pressure jet for dislodging old gunk and grease.
Warning never use high pressure jets to wash chain. High pressure water will enter past the o rings and cause rusting on inner pins. Causing uneven wear or particular areas of the chain to be tighter than rest.

So best is to use a brush and plenty of old rags to wipe it off.
Yes the chain should be sparking clean (again it never happens and can't expect from SVCs).
Main function of chain lube is to keep the rollers and o rings lubricated and corrosion protection.

Keeping the o rings lubricated will make them rotate freely and reduce its wear and tear. So less power loss and more chain longevity.

Happy riding...