Chain Lube Brand?

[Syndacate]

I recently bought my 1st bike, a GSX700F. I put a bit under 125mi on it, though I don't know when the last time the chain was lubed was, but the bike only has 3200 on it ('97). Now I've heard from some people (and am not sure if this is true), that you have to lube the chain every 500mi, which leads me to a few questions:
A) Is that true, you lube the chain every 500mi?
B) When do you go and look at and possibly adjust the chain, every 1.5k or so? Every time you lube it? And what exactly are you looking for in terms of "play" in the chain - I read something on here about getting people to pre-load the rear end before checking it - if you're not doing GP racing with the thing, is that all necessary? Is there any way to tell just by pressing on it, like a chainsaw chain?
C) How many miles can you expect out of a chain (life), assuming it's lubed when it should be?
D) What brand/kind of chain lube should I look for? Looking for something I can buy on motorcycle superstore or bike bandit or something, not some local 1 store type stuff..

[bambambam]

I never use lube,I like to use chain wax less fling off cleaner wheels.
A. I wax the chain every 1000 miles
B.When I wax the chain I check slack at the same time if it is more that 1 inch I will adjust.Press up from the bottom of the chain.
C.Depends on how you ride,aggressive less life,easy more life.

[loudnlow7484]

A.) My general rule is the following:
-1- O-ring chains: clean/lube every 400 miles or so. (You can go longer without issue, but this is my personal preference)
-2- non o-ring chains: lube every 100 miles, or every tank of gas; clean and relube every 300 or 400 miles.

B.) Check it every time you think about it. Adjust as needed. There are general rules for chain tension that are fine. Compressing the suspension fully is helpful if you've altered the ride height, so you can set the chain tension knowing that it won't stretch the chain when fully compressed.

C.) This will vary wildly depending on brand, construction, what bike it's on, how you ride, and how you take care of it. A poorly maintained cheap non o-ring chain might last 1000 miles, while a well maintained top quality x-ring chain might last 20,000 miles.

D.) This also, depends. What kind of chain is on it? For a non o-ring chain, I've used countless cans of whatever chain lube I can find, engine oil, hot gear oil, chainsaw bar oil..... I'm not picky. For o-ring chains I'd suggest using a good quality o-ring specific lube, to make sure you aren't putting anything harmful on them. Some people swear by waxes, but I've never used them.... it just doesn't seem right. PJ1 makes a lube that comes highly recommended by a lot of people.

[youngphillip85]

Maxima Chain Wax. What I and all of my sport bike friends use. They swear by it, and I've never had a reason to use anything different.

[Syndacate]

So I guess the next question is how do I find out what kind of chain I have..?

I googled images of O ring chains and they all kinda look the same to me as any other standard bike chain...I googled the X ring chains and they look the same as well..what am I missing?

[Syndacate]

So I guess the next question is how do I find out what kind of chain I have..?

I googled images of O ring chains and they all kinda look the same to me as any other standard bike chain...I googled the X ring chains and they look the same as well..what am I missing?

That && A friend from work suggested DuPont Teflon Lube - anybody have any experience with that?

[whitecl0ver]

This is what I use....I take a smaller wire brush and scrub the dirt and crap off my chain ~500 miles.

Also here is a little review on it.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/repsol-chain-lube/

Bigger can runs ~$8-$9

[thetable]

This is what I use....I take a smaller wire brush and scrub the dirt and crap off my chain ~500 miles.

Never use a wire brush on an O-ring chain, you will destroy the O-Ring.

I lubed at least every tank of fuel. Cleaned when I felt like it. Adjust as needed. Checked the slack every time I get on the bike. Which lube, well, I had the best results from Motul Chain Lube Road. My second go to was the Dupont Teflon lube.

I've now gone to a Loobman chain oiler, and using whatever old oil I have sitting on the shelf. So much easier.

[whitecl0ver]

Never use a wire brush on an O-ring chain, you will destroy the O-Ring.

Thats news to me....Your the first person that has ever said there is a problem with that, motorcycle shops included.

[CenCalKat]

Sure, why would they tell you...they get you to buy a new chain more often!

Motul Road chain lube is all I use.

[whitecl0ver]

So then what do you wise guys do to get the 'crap' off before you lube...and dont say kerosene because I cant get that any where around here

[LAsunbird86]

You cant get no kerosene? Sheeeeewwt, we'kn pick thayt up at thuh lokal wal mayrt

[teddy]

Wd40...

[thetable]

So then what do you wise guys do to get the 'crap' off before you lube...and dont say kerosene because I cant get that any where around here

I use an old toothbrush if I must scrub, but there are many options for solvents.

[teddy]

yeah, guess i should have added ' and a nylon bristled brush' to my previous post....