chain lube left think white coating

[bittercold]

Hi all,

I recently got a Bel-Ray "Super Clean Chain Lube" since I managed to lost my previous can somewhere and when I applied it, it formed a white coating on the chain.

The directions on the can say "allow 10-15 minutes for non-tacky coating to form", but I've never really seen anything like this on motorcycles. It's actually pretty solid, I can't just wipe it off with cloth, I'd need a cleaner and apply some pressure to get it off.

Has anyone use of heard of this chain lubricant?

Also, how can I check if the chain is well lubed? At some point in the past when it got really dirty the wheel would stop almost immediately if I rotate it while the bike is on the center stand. It's not as bad right now but still... say after putting the bike in the first gear I press the clutch and disconnect the wheel from the engine, how long should it keep rotating before the friction stops it?

Thanks in advance

[Cal Price]

It sounds like chain-wax, the white coating is normal. Best was to look after your chain is to clean it first then wax it. Clean it with a solvent, Kerosine or Parafin depending on which side of the Atlantic you live. You can do this with a rag or a paintbrush and rag. Make sure you don't get it everywhere and cover the ground with paper or cardboard and then wax it.
An alternative to the solvent for cleaning is WD40 or one of it's many clones but make sure you follow it up with a chain-lube or wax as WD40 alone will actually remove all the residual lubricant.
If you think this is a lot of buggering about and you don't like being on your knees with filthy hands - do what I did - fit a Scottoiler - bloody brilliant!

[bill14224]

The white stuff is wax.  You're supposed to clean the O-ring chain that has oil in-between the O-rings and protect the chain with the wax.  I'm old school.  I don't do it that way.

Yeah, ugh, chains.  I wish my GS had a belt.  I'm not convinced that taking the chain off regularly, soaking it in kerosene, wiping it down, and re-oiling makes the chain last much longer than just spraying it down with WD-40, wiping it, and re-oiling it on the bike.  Doing it my way the chain lasts several years, and it costs $65.  If I could make the chain last 50% longer by taking it off twice a year and soaking it and it takes 1 hour extra each year to do so, in 5 years I save $30 at $6 per hour, and I'll have dirty kerosene to get rid of. (don't have a fire pit out back)  Not worth the extra hassle.

[bittercold]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Regarding the scootoiler, just curious, I'd still need to clean the chain right? Even though it's be automatically lubricated.

[drincruz]

i use a different bel-ray chain lube. it spits out a yellow-ish green. not white.

though i did find this article though: http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/

"My favorite was Bel-Ray Super Clean Chain Lube, which is one of the thicker formulations.  It leaves a white residue that looks something like a white lithium grease.  I liked it because it resists flinging off the chain, although it does leave a fine dusting of white sprinkles all over the chain guard and frame during the fist few miles of use. "

cheers,
~drin

[shiznizbiz]

yeah.  I use this stuff now.  It actually seems to do really well. I too use the "leave on the bike and clean it" method.  Take off the spoket coverand get out the brush. Spray it down with wd-40, scrub it, wipe it down.  Repeat.  Then apply lube.  This stuff keeps things cleaner, or at least it seems that way. Ive wiped the little flingers off the bike after the first day of riding with said lube, and i havent had any accumilation on the bike for abotu 575 miles. 

[Toogoofy317]

I use the stuff from the dealership It just says chain lube on the can no manufacture company in bold letters sure it is somewhere I just don't see it I guess. But, it doesn't leave any yucky residue color. I clean it with WD40 myself and then a good health spraying of the lube and 'ole boy is good to go!

Mary