 best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2012
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OP
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What is the best chain lube you experts have found? Are aerosols OK to use? BTW, got a new sign for the bike shed. Says "go your own way" on the bottom. 
Phil in Northwest Arkansas
04 America, Black, Corbin seat, TORs, no AI, 34K
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 Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
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I use a scottoiler and am very happy  I put it on about 10,000 miles ago and I've needed to refil the reservoir once (I have topped it up a couple of times aswell but that was a case of bad light making me think it was lower than it was  ) Oh, and the chain has been adjusted once in that time too Basically, it's fill and forget  Edit Nice sign BTW
Last edited by brindle; 04/16/2012 4:49 PM.
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I don't know if it's "the best", but I've been using a Teflon dry wax lubricant aerosol that I picked up at a local hardware box store (Lowes I think ?). It was RocketBob who suggested it to me (he used to have a beautiful '07 TBA). It doesn't sling off like the chain oil does.
I did have a Scottoiler that I was going to install, but the year or so that I was off the bike, recovering from my crash, it seemed that some people were not that satisfied after using a Scottoiler. I also found out that my local dealer will charge more to work on a bike with a Scottoiler, due to more stuff to work around. So I sold it, new, unused in the box and went the teflon wax route.
Now Ian will chime in here, sooner or later, that he has never oiled the chains on his bikes. That's his choice, like it or not.
Great sign ! I've got a similar one that I will put up when I finally stop renting & get my own place.
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
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I also used to use a Scottoiler. I also used multiple chain lubes and have settled on Dupont Teflon Multiuse (same as Dupont Teflon Chain Saver). Heres what got me using it... web bike world Goes on wet, stays dry, no fling, easy to use, DONT get it on your tires. I also use it around the house as needed
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: best chain lube?
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I just looked up the scottoiler. Wow, $300 for something I have to add to my handlebars, plus a reservoir somewhere else on my bike? And I have to buy their oil?
Maintaining a chain isn't all that hard. I think the center stands for our bikes are around $300, and a bike lift from Sears is $100. So you put it up, brush the chain, oil, drop it down and adjust.
And there is one less gadget to adjust or deal with.
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Hold back, Dog. That ain't what he's askin. He, he, he... 
Last edited by pipedr; 04/16/2012 8:16 PM.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Belray Super Clean works for me!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
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Jeez, where's Ian when you need him...
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Staying away from this thread for once, I hope. He may feel free to start a thread called "DON'T LUBE YOUR CHAIN."
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Adjunct
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I've used PJs, but have been using Liquid Performance Chain Lube. liquid performance home It has PTFE and other goodies and can be ordered here http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com or by calling 1-800-217-7435. Just happens to be a local company here in VA (Roanoke).
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Scottoiler oil. Just enough to provide a smear will last a reservoir full for a couple of thousand K's. Keeps my chain and sprockets clean, maintenance free and with them last being changed 35K ago, a worthwhile investment I believe.    Btw, the time I took these pics I use to have too much oil drip onto my chain. Now just a smear as I said
Last edited by Stacka; 04/17/2012 3:31 AM.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Quote:
I just looked up the scottoiler. Wow, $300 for something I have to add to my handlebars, plus a reservoir somewhere else on my bike? And I have to buy their oil?
Huh... just had a bit of a look at the oiler right on the scottoiler website. Says it's only $129.95. Not bad. It's not for me (I have a scottoiler I don't use) but it's a lot less than the $300 you mentioned. And what is it you have to add to the handlebars?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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Quote:
What is the best chain lube you experts have found?
None
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Quote:
What is the best chain lube you experts have found?
None
Hey Ian
is that none to chain lube or experts??? 
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
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I might be inclined to agree with Ian also. I just changed out my OEM chain after 23k on it. Only lubed it maybe 2 or 3 times, never had any issues with it. Really the main reason for changing it now was front sprocket was worn, rear was slightly worn and the chain was a little streched. I'm sure if I had really wanted to I could have got another 3 or 4k out of it easily.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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When I remember to lube the chain, which isn't often, I use DuPont dry Teflon spray. Doesn't attract dirt. That said my lax chain lube program hasn't resulted in extreme sprocket or chain wear; at 23K miles now and I still don't see or feel any wear.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,354
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2007
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Quote:
When I remember to lube the chain, which isn't often, I use DuPont dry Teflon spray. Doesn't attract dirt. That said my lax chain lube program hasn't resulted in extreme sprocket or chain wear; at 23K miles now and I still don't see or feel any wear.
Yep, that's the stuff I use. I like it much better than the dealer recommended chain oil I used to use. That chain oil would sling off and make a mess of the rear wheel.
The teflon spray is nice and clean, but heed Z's warning about spraying it on the tires!!
Blue/White 2007 TBA, Thruxton needles, Unifilter, AI removed, Polaris Bellmouth, Bubs, Nology Coils/wires, Lightbar, Ricor Intiminators, Hagon Nitros, Tall Sissy Bar w/luggage rack, Dart flyscreen & Lowers. 130 Mains, TrueGel Battery MG12-BS.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
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Quote:
Belray Super Clean works for me!
Only in Canada,trick is lube your chain when you get home and chain is warm. 
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,695 Likes: 22 |
I use anything but oil (wax) to avoid slinging stuff all over. I waxed it about 6k ago. First chain got waxed a few times and adjusted twice, changed it out after 21,000 miles. Didn't feel like waiting for a failure with a 3rd adjustment. I am sure it would have gone longer. Just under 30K my rear sprocket looks fine with no noise or chain wash sounds.
Any bike shop has chain wax, mine is DuPont I think. All of them work meaning they stick on the chain. Did you notice in the link from Z the DuPont is safe for o-ring. Ummm meaning it does not do anything to the O-ring.
Grunge brush it clean and wax it a bit if it makes you feel better. There is real wisdom when Dog says if the lube can't get out of the o-rings how does the dirt get in?
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
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Want to see an interesting facet of chain wear? Take a piece of butcher paper and a sharpie and trace out how much side deflection (bend) you get on a stretched out new chain and a worn out one. Quite a difference, due to inner barrel wear. If a worn chain has spent it's duty life misaligned, it will bend one way slightly farther, than the other way as well.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I'm with Ian and Oldroadie here. My first chain I didn't lube much. Second chain not at all. I don't plan on starting now.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Me three, I am using a heatset, bake-on Teflon-Moly coating on my sprockets for an experiment. I have used this product on firearm internals, with great results. No spray on gunk, at least for the life of the chain. If I do not get decent usage life, I'll go back to the other school of thought.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
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Interesting. Can you give us a link and also let us know you results?
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I don't understand why so many are replacing the rear sprockets. Are they slipping, clicking, hooking? I guess I wonder where are they failing.
In my mind, if they are not making a racket and the bike is moving forward when you want to go they are working.
I guess I need an education on that. When I changed my chain I flipped the front sprocket in the event of hooking making brand new teeth for the chain to bite. Never touched the rear sprocket. Then again I have no idea why I would replace it.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
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Quote:
Interesting. Can you give us a link and also let us know you results?
I buy it by the pint and apply with a airbrush, but I use a lot of it. web page
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I replaced my sprockets out of habit, I always put fresh sprockets on with a fresh chain. My rear sprocket showed no visible wear at all and the front very slight wear with no lube at about 23,000 miles and the chain was just stretched some. I probably could have gone another 10,000 or so but opted to change the set as a set.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: best chain lube?
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Adjunct
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Sorry, didn't read the website closely enough. The $300 version, actually $279 is for an electronic version, which comes with some kind of mounted electronic display to put on the bars. 
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: best chain lube?
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I use Belray. But rather than spraying it directly onto the chain, I put on a rubber glove, spray it into my hand, grab the chain and spin the back tire with my clean hand until everything is coated. No sling and no mess. Takes just a couple minutes to do. It's a piece of cake.
2003 TBA Thunderbike pipes / floorboards / and the most uncomfortable seat known to man....
Barry aka: 8-Ball
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Don't do that with the engine running and in gear. Had a thread not too long ago where someone tried something similar.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Adjunct
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OP
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Quote:
I also used to use a Scottoiler. I also used multiple chain lubes and have settled on Dupont Teflon Multiuse (same as Dupont Teflon Chain Saver).
Heres what got me using it... web bike world Goes on wet, stays dry, no fling, easy to use, DONT get it on your tires. I also use it around the house as needed
Good write-up and the Walmart I took the wife to today has DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver listed in stock for $6.98; too bad I didn't check in before we left this morning or I could have picked some up.
Also have a John Deere AMT that has two semi-exposed chains so it would be handy for that too as long as I don't repeat the P.O.s habit of lubing the AMTs brakes along with the chains. 
Phil in Northwest Arkansas
04 America, Black, Corbin seat, TORs, no AI, 34K
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Re: best chain lube?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
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Quote:
...rather than spraying it directly onto the chain, I put on a rubber glove, spray it into my hand, grab the chain and spin the back tire with my clean hand until everything is coated. No sling and no mess. Takes just a couple minutes to do. It's a piece of cake.
I question if doing that is even worth it from a lubrication perspective.
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