KDXRIDER.NET

Hi Gang,

I wash my bike after every ride. I then hit the chain with WD40, and once that dries, I put lube on.

That said, my chain is a bit stiff in spots. What is the best remedy? Should I remove the chain, and soak it? If so, what should I soak it in?

Thank you,

David

If it's getting stiff in a few sections it's probably time to replace it. I think that means water has gone past the O-rings and started causing rust in some of the chain links. I do remember many years ago reading an article about soaking your O-ring chain in kerosene (basically WD 40) to clean it and loosen it up but I've never done it.

It is an O-ring chain, and is fairly new.

It has hardley stretched at all.

It loosens up quite a bit when I ride. (The stiffness in the links that is...........not the length.)

Soak it in lube or oil?

Thoughts?

I washed my bike last year. I might do it again next year........

Seriously, a soak in used motor oil might be better than kerosene. Hang it up and let it drip for a couple of days.

The whole topic of chain maintenance, 0-ring no o-ring, to lube or not to lube usually generates a lot of discussion.

I used to be all up tight about cleaning and lubing chains and sprockets. The last few years I just put a new set on, set tension once and run 'em. I can't tell the difference in wear life.

A lot of the difference in approaches probably come from the territory people ride in. Constantly wet and muddy areas might require a different approach than dry and sandy ones.

I have a newer o ring chain and tried all the different lubes and finally just decided that WD-40 or equivalent is just as good and doesn't build up like many of the pricey lubes do.

As far as soaking the chain I would avoid it. A o ring chain should have grease inside the links and if you soak it the grease will get thin and come out. I tried soaking my last chain due to stiff links and it quickly went to crap in just a few rides.

quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it

Mr. Wibbens wrote:quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it

Why is that?

IMHO and many others on the web, it gets past the rings and washes away the lube

I'm getting twice the life out of my ring chains since I stopped using wd40

What do you use now Wibs?

Tri-Flow or that Dupont Teflon

I soak it real good and then put bike up on my lift and start bike in gear just like you are not supposed to

And use a grunge brush on the chain to get the big **** off while continuing spraying lube ever so often. I'm on my 3rd grunge brush BTW

After that I shut motor off and spin wheel by hand and use a rag on the chain, still have all my fingers but I'm not saying I've never been bitten

Recently soaked my O-Ring chain, which I thought was toast, in motor oil for a couple of days. I just put it in a gallon zip lock bag with motor oil and let it soak it up. After that I hooked it to a close hanger and hung it from a tree for a couple of days. I then put it back on (a little messy until it flung the motor oil off) and now it's good as new.

I've heard wd-40 will eat up the o-rings and attract dust, sand, etc. That was enough to steer me clear of wd as a chain lube. I now use the for mentioned method along with chain wax and have had good results.

Chain wax

I'll second the DuPont Teflon as a chain lube works great and does'nt pick up dirt.The trouble with wd on an o- ring is that wd contains solvents that destroy the o rings.

I'm thinking that since an O-ring chain has lube in it and since it is made to be lubed on the outside every so often, the O-rings are probably oil and fuel resistant...just say'n.

My wife's KDX doesn't get ridden very often and the chain is getting very stiff in places. I think I'm gonna try the "soak it in motor oil for a couple days" approach.

Mr. Wibbens wrote:quickest way I've found to destroy a ring chain is to use wd40 on it

I agree! Personally, on O-ring chains I clean the big gunk off and then spray it down with a little Rem-Oil and that's it. Seems to work good for me.

Don't pressure wash with o-ring chains either, you will just force water past the seals. WD-40 will make the seals swell and eventually deteriorate. If you really want to look after the chain just take it off and leave it in a bath of used gearbox oil or something.

so how many of you actually use O ring chains?

im looking to get a new chain for my KDX soon because of how far it is stretched and i dont know if i can justify the O ring over the X ring chain or not

I bought the Primary drive OEM sprockets and chain some time ago. The chain has stretched more than i think it should have, it will be out of adjustment soon, and need to take out a link, or buy a new chain. I do ride quite a bit, but this chain didn't last very long, IMO...It is an o-ring chain.

In all my experiences, you get what you pay for. The Primary Drive was $100 for chain and sprockets.

I will be getting a DID chain and some Renthal sprockets next time.

diymirage wrote:so how many of you actually use O ring chains?

im looking to get a new chain for my KDX soon because of how far it is stretched and i dont know if i can justify the O ring over the X ring chain or not

I usually run non o-ring on the kdx, easier to take care of and they don't turn into a kinky mess