How often do you lube the chain

[kkhalil76]

Just wondering how often a chain should be lubed. In my case it's a Honda XR125L, kept outdoors uncovered, daily commute ~12 miles in total. Cheers.

[satans_BIG_helper]

I used to do mine once or twice a week but thats when i was doing over 300 miles a week or i generally looked at the condition of it and made a decision on that.

I would generally do it once a week no matter what tho that way i knew it was lubed and gonna be in good condition, and i used to be really dull and once a month clean it

[edd]

If im doing daily commuting I'll oil my chain every couple of days with used engine oil from a handheld oil can. Use old engine oil and it costs you no money, still keeps your chain lubed though.
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[Finglonga]

You can usually tell by looking at it, if it looks dry then lube it, if it looks like its got a good coating on still don't bother.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[FreshAL]

I give it a quick squirt about once a week, and clean it properly when it starts to look a bit manky - normally about 400 miles

[kkhalil76]

Thanks

[baldy]

I lube the chain on the cbr every time i go out for a long ride, i lube the chain on the er5 occasionally, and i never lube the chain on the xr400, its just not worth it, it just gets covered in muck.
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[kkhalil76]

[baldy]

Its because i go offroading every week, and the chain is old and knackered, so i dont care too much. The performance doesnt really change, as soon as you get back on the road, most of the muck flicks out.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[kkhalil76]

Got it.

All this lubing seems to be a bit of a hassle (if you're lazy like me and have no garage or any space to fiddle around with the bike). I wish it came with one of those scottoiler thingies.

[baldy]

i would'nt worry too much on a 125, the chains and sprockets are cheap enough. just keep it tensioned correctly and it should be okay. If the chain comes off at speed, it could cause some damage. When mine came off on the 125 it smashed a hole through the casing, but abit of superglue and half an hour later, it was good as new.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[kkhalil76]

It's not so much the condition of the chain I'm worried about, as I'm planning on selling the bike after maybe 6 months (hoping to do direct access soon), but it seems to run better when well lubed. Not sure if it's just in my mind, but changing gears seems smoother.

[baldy]

Mine was the same, but i think the manufacturer made the chain and sprockets out of cheese. After i changed them it was fine, but i sold it shortly after.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[irving]

>>

[kkhalil76]

Indeedy. That's why I got off my lazy arse yesterday, cleaned it, sprayed it with some anti corrosive protective stuff, cleaned the chain, lubed it, and then stared at it for a while

[edd]

Im very lazy, just stick your can of oil/lube on a shelf in your garage, when you pull in stick the bike on the centre stand, leave it in gear, squirt squirt squirt. Chain = lubed. Takes 30 seconds and saves your chain becoming knackered.
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Bluespark Automotive - Diesel Tuning for Performance and Economy

[Dan 4RR]

Only really lube my chain if I'm going on long journeys, say 100+ in a day. Otherwise I'll just look at it and maybe 'stroke' it with my finger to see if it is still oiley.
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[Kram]

Lube... chain....

On my 600, I used to do it every week as i tried to look after it as much as possible. But on my VFR400, I haven't adjusted the chain since i've had it (and it was stood around for a few years, before I had it). I oiled it once, when I got it MOT'd and not had any problems since.


... plus the thick layer of dirt/crap protects it from any road filth
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FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4

[Kram]

Lube... chain....

On my 600, I used to do it every week as i tried to look after it as much as possible. But on my VFR400, I haven't adjusted the chain since i've had it (and it was stood around for a few years, before I had it). I oiled it once, when I got it MOT'd and not had any problems since.


... plus the thick layer of dirt/crap protects it from any road filth
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FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4

[MattEMulsion]

I make sure that I lube my R6's chain at least every 500 miles. I keep it in good condition though and generally give it a proper clean every 2nd time it needs lubing. Other than that my bike doesn't see an awful lot of bad weather so it doesn't attract too much s**t. Doing this, my chain in still in good shape after 9500 miles.
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[veeeffarr]

I've just fitted a loobman to my GS500E and I just top the bottle up with the dregs of various oil bottles I have lying around