white lithium grease as chain lube

[peteGS]

I've stopped cleaning mine before lubing and I now use Lanolin.

I'd been using some Silkolene stuff Titanium Dri-Gel is the name I think. Sets with the white wax type finish.

The catch is it needs to be cleaned before application, and the chain needs to be cold.

So, what was happening was that during wet weeks it was slowly washing off, and of course there's no time after work or in the morning to clean a chain before applying fresh lube, so I was just topping it up. It just seemed to add grit to the chain.

Anyways, a mate put me on to Lanolin as his preferred lube. He has never cleaned his chain, just lubes it regularly.

I gave it one final clean to get all the Silkolene off and started applying the Lanolin. I've been doing that for several thousand km's now and so far it's been great. I have a couple of stiff links but that's from the aforementioned issues with cleaning/lubing and the Silkolene stuff. Once the chain warms up with the Lanolin they seem to free up nicely. The only downside is it does have some fling, but nowhere near as bad as some proper chain lubes I've used over the years.

Anyway, my 2 cents on the matter...

[ShowBizWolf]

Update since I bumped this a few months ago...

My bike's chain has always been a bit loud to me. I'd clean it and lube it, the noise would quite down a little but then it'd be right back soon after. It's adjusted where it should be and it's not more than two years old (same as the sprockets) so I figured it was time to try something different. Switched cleaning methods but also decided to try the white lithium.

Haven't taken the bike for a ride yet but even just rolling it back and forth in my garage I can't hear anything now. Before it would be clacking and clicking away I'm hoping to ride to work for my evening shift today and I'm hopeful the noise is gone now.

Here's a pic of what I was using before next to the white lithium (which actually says right on the label it can be used for chains and sprockets!) The actual chain lube was/is very runny and I never felt like it was actually doing a good job Plus the can is pretty old so... idk if that has something to do with it or not.

[ElementRB]

I've taken advice from y father I law who is a bike guy and always has a reason for everything. But also does his own tests.

So I have also serviced with white lithium from the can after a full degreaser clean and tooth brush treatment =)

Gotta tighten my chain, its outside spec right now.

Father in law swears he got 68000klm outa his last chain on his sv650 only servicing with white lithium...


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[marc]

I've been using lithium grease in chains without o-rings with great success. The bad part is that the rear wheel gets very dirty. That grease will not do the job that's supposed to do. In o-ring chains... it will only lube sprocket to chain contact.

I've been using o-ring spray grease, but it is expensive, and does not last much longer than motor oil. rear wheel clean.

I've been lubing with motor oil. Great success: I only need to keep it overnight to let it make its way to into the o-rings. But the rear wheel gets dirty again.

The best recipe I could find, based on 87.000Km experience in 16 years, and still working:

- First lube with WD40, this displaces some dust. Move the wheel to let it work.
- Then apply a drop of oil to each step in the chain. Move the wheel to let it spread.
- Wait overnight. If not, at least give 15 minutes to let the lube penetrate the o-rings.
- Apply chain spray (not much) this dry lube will keep the other lubes in place.

Bingo! rear wheel not dirty, chain perfectly lubed for at least 1000 miles (unless rain).