how often and with what do i lube chain? noob

[souljeroflight]

hello everyone just got my first bike and am pretty much green all the way around. i have had it now for about two weeks and bought it from kawasaki dealer.  The dealer oiled and adjusted the chain before i left the shop but i was reading on the UK web site for the gs 500 that it should be oiled once a week........ soooooo..... i want to know from the pro's here at home. i have spent the last three nights reading all the different threads here for troubling shooting everything.  carbs, jetting, float height etc and there is just a vast wealth of knowledge here  i want to absorb.   So original ? how often with what and procedure please. Got some paint questions and some mod questions too but will just be patient until another thread. 

[Tang]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40754.0

i had the same quesiton like a month ago heres the forum maybeu u'll find somethin usefull

good luck

[b_long_1]

WD-40, wifes old toothbrush. Then use chain lube available from any major retailer. Every 600 miles.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Or use teh wifes new toothbrush if you can ride away fast enough 

[Old Guy]

Put it on the jack stand and put it in neutral.  Roll the back tire with one hand and clean the chain with the other.I use kerosene and a rag to clean the chain after running though about four tanks of gas, or earlier if real dusty riding conditions, kerosene doesn't have any harsh chemicals that might break down the links over time.  After cleaning, lube with chain lube. At least that's how I was taught to do it. 

[kml.krk]

Roll the back tire with one hand and clean the chain with the other.

OK idea, but remember:  NO fingers between sprocket and chain...

[Ronin]

I've heard that WD40 will get past the Orings and deteriorate them,if thats the type of chain you use.I have a non-Oring chain and I use straight 30w after cleaning it up.Fun cleaning the back tire after the oil sling though.

[souljeroflight]

thanks guys, im going to get some oring oil tomorrow.  center stand the bike after coming home for work when chain is still hot and just lube and let it soak till next day heard that will keep down the oil sling.

[NEWGS500F]

10/40 engine oil, applied using a (thinish and un-used) paint brush...once per WEEK.  Dont care how many miles done that week though usually somewhere in the region of 100-200 at least.  Do it warm, which works better i.e. AFTER a run then, if possible, go for another run to work it all in.

Used chain wax spray before and it was rubbish IMHO.

Normal, regular 10/40 engine oil does a fine job ... touch messy but cleaning the excess of helps.

[Roadstergal]

Me likey the WD-40 clean, with grunge brush and rag, followed by Chain Wax.  I've done that on all of my chained bikes.  However, everyone has their own feelings on what works and what will just destroy it, and you'll form your own opinion soon, IMO.  I do it about once a month, but it depends on conditions.  A chain that sees dirt gets cleaned a lot more frequently than one that I just commute on... in the winter, when the bike sees a lot of rain and grimy wet roads, it gets cleaned more often.  Etc.

Always clean and lube your chain after a ride when you're ready to stable it for the night, so that the chain is warm for the cleaning and the lube sits on the chain long enough for the carriers to evaporate.

I think keeping the tension correct is more critical than which of the methods suggested in this thread you use, m'self.    I like my method because crap doesn't fly off of the chain.

[happyrider]

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on lubing the chain if you don't have a center stand on the bike any more???

[Roadstergal]

1 - Get a rear stand.

2 - Get a friend to tip the bike with the sidestand down and balance it on the front wheel and sidestand while you do a reasonably quick job of cleaning and lubing.  Not recommended unless you really trust your friend.   

I really recommend a rear stand or reinstalling the center stand.  There's a lot of service on a bike that's a lot easier with a stand in place.

[happyrider]

Thanks.  I lowered the bike so the center stand had to be removed.  It scraped on the ground a few times when I was in a turn so I thought it was best to take it off.  I will have to look into the rear stand.

[justin415]

I like to clean the chain with simple green degreaser and a stiff brush followed by dupont multi lube, both of which can be found at lowes.  Works great for me.  Much cleaner than wax/oil/grease and lubes just as well.

[sledge]

The results are in.......http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345397