Chain types and maintenance procedures

[eprovenzano]

I know chain maintenance is as personal as which brand of 2 stroke oil, or tranny oil we use...  But, my son broke a chain over the weekend, of course he does not maintain it like dad does. Plus when we replaced the chain about 3 years ago it was with a cheap chain.  So I was just curious as to the types of chains and different methods, oils, cleaners the forum members were using.

On my bike I'm running an O-ring chain, I used to use Bel-Ray Chain wax, but switched to WD-40 about 2 years ago.  So far it seems to hold up fine.  On the boys, quad (yes he's a quad turd) we were running a cheap non O-ring chain.  He would clean it and spray it down with WD-40 once in a while...  it failed...  I saved my last chain (O-ring style) its currently soaking in an oil bath and will go on the quad when we get some time.

[SachsGS]

WD40 is a protectant not a lubricant. The product was originally developed to protect mothballed military aircraft in the western American deserts. What I do is wash my bike, spray the chain with WD40 to displace the moisture, and then coat the chain with a good lubricant when it is dry.

This year as an experiment I made one of my bikes a "chain guard" that bolts to the swingarm and deflects dirt from the tire away from the chain. The chain is an Oring and has shown essentially no wear whatsoever.

[ACMX]

I love wd40. Because of things like lastnight, when I washed my bike then forgot to bring it inside. My chain rusts. Then I spray it with wd 40, ride it around a bit, and no more rust!

[GlennC]

I run a DID ERT2 chain (Non O Ring).
After each ride I,
1. remove the chain before I wash the bike.
2. Soak the chain in old premix.
3. Wipe the chain clean with an old T shirt.
4. Let the chain dry overnight.
5. Lube with MFR chain lube.
6. Re Install.

I know it sounds like a lot of work, But I switched to this procedure about a year ago, And have had almost no wear since.

[ACMX]

That is a very cheap way to save $60!

[RM250 Evan]

Also to decrease wear on chain make sure to clean all the sludge off of ur sprockets.

[Super Trucker]

I usually run a regina gold chain, my local parts dealer talked me into a Moose gold chain, he said there made by regina, they cost alot less. Don,t know if there any good, since I can,t ride because of injuries.

[KXAF888]

wash the bike with soapy water, force air dry, spray with break clean, then use whatever chain oil/wax that you choose

[rob the snaill]

i been using crc or wd40 for years and years now, get a couple seasons at least out of o ring chains on my 06rm250 plus i do a bit of trail riding. mud is the biggest killer of chains for sure