bike lubrication

[z315]

I was wondering what are good brands to get for basic lubrcation of my 04F as well as chain lubrcation, also, i heard that it's bad to use WD40 because it causes rusting, but yet everywhere else i seen them using WD-40. So i'm very confused. your inputs please.

[Chuck]

I've been washing with WD-40, oiling with motor oil for 8000 miles.
I've recently switched to washing with kerosene, because of reports of WD-40 being bad.  The kerosene actually works better for me, so I use it exclusively now.  That's been for almost 2000 miles.  It hasn't torn itself out yet.

I don't know if WD-40 is really bad, but WD-40 will NOT lubricate your chain, it will wash off your real lubricant.  So after you use WD-40, you need to put something else on.  Chain oil, chain wax, or regular old motor oil.

It makes less difference what products you use than to use those products regularly.  The manual says every 600 miles, but you should do it every time the chain is dirty or dry, which may be more often (but almost never less often).

[Chuck]

I don't know if WD-40 is really bad, but WD-40 will NOT lubricate your chain, it will wash off your real lubricant.  So after you use WD-40, you need to put something else on.

Oh yeah.  That was meant to address the point about WD-40 causing rust.  Well, it doesn't cause rust, but by removing the film of oil you should have on there, it prevents your rust prevention... which I guess you could say caused it.

[scratch]

I'm becoming a big fan of TriFlow for multiple uses, cleaning the chain, lubricating cables...
BelRay waterproof grease for pivots and axles.
There are many good brands of chain lube, Maxim Chain Wax, PJ1; I'm currently using Duomonde.
Clean the chain with kerosene.

WD40 doesn't directly cause rusting, it attracts dirt because it's a "wet" lube, it stays sticky and dirt layers on it trapping mosture which causes the rust.  It's not so bad if you wipe off the excess.

[Chuck]

WD40 doesn't directly cause rusting, it attracts dirt because it's a "wet" lube, it stays sticky and dirt layers on it trapping mosture which causes the rust.  It's not so bad if you wipe off the excess.

I'm not disagreeing.  But I thought WD-40 was an oil-thinner.     That's why I thought it was good for removing the old grime on your chain, but not much good for lubrication (because it evaporates and/or runs off).

[Queso]

I never really cleaned mine... Just hosed it down with chain wax pretty often. I just installed my new chain yesterday , so I guess I'll start taking better care of it...

[ninja_steve]

kerosene to clean chain
maxima chain wax to lube


wd40 has been accused of deteriorating o/x-rings.  if you ask me its too damn expensive to use as a cleaner, so i never used it anyway.  $5 of kerosene usually lasts about a year of riding for me.

[scratch]

I'm not disagreeing.  But I thought WD-40 was an oil-thinner.     That's why I thought it was good for removing the old grime on your chain, but not much good for lubrication (because it evaporates and/or runs off).

Yeah, it's not really a lube  ...Water Displacement...40th try...

[Unnamed]

Where are good places to get things like chain grease/wax and brake fluid? I don't know of any shops nearby which sell them, are they cheaper online?

[scratch]

Brake fluid you can get at any automotive store, just make sure it's DOT4.

You could see if they have chain lube there, too.  Alternatively, you could use TriFlow (Rema1000 uses it...I'm pretty sure), or go the online route.