bahhh
and thankx to everyone that replied to my previous thread..
I think your chain needs some attention. :D
The only color I like more than black is bright orange. Great choice. Nice ride.
Quote from: ineedanap on September 19, 2009, 09:18:17 PM
I think your chain needs some attention. :D
The only color I like more than black is orange. Looks really good on a GS. Nice!!!
The only experience you are going to gain by riding with that chain is how to call roadside assistance (or friend with truck). If you don't know much about motorcycles I recommend you get a service manual for your bike so that you can stay on top of maintenance. Most things are very easy with the GS and it is a fun learning experience. I just don't like the look of that chain.
Nice bike by the way!
Quote from: Bluesmudge on September 19, 2009, 09:37:49 PM
The only experience you are going to gain by riding with that chain is how to call roadside assistance (or friend with truck). If you don't know much about motorcycles I recommend you get a service manual for your bike so that you can stay on top of maintenance. Most things are very easy with the GS and it is a fun learning experience. I just don't like the look of that chain.
Nice bike by the way!
Thanks man... Great advice... i will take it to the motorcycle shop and try to get it fixed.. This is my first bike so i dont know much !
Any idea how many miles are on that chain? Its possible that if it rusted recently that some WD-40 and a toothbrush could fix it up fine. But if its a high milage chain that has been sitting and rusting for awhile...yeah, replace it.
No idea. This bike has 9 thousand miles on it (i am guessing that the chain wasn't replaced with this bike) ...which is nothing... The middle part of the chain is pretty clean..just the outside looks rusty. I think this bike has been sitting for a long time and that is why the chain is rusty and also the tires were kinda flat. You think i can take my toothbrush and get the rust out? I am also not sure about the oil change? should i get it done or wait for 3 thousand miles and then get the oil change? thankx a lot man. :cool:
Nice :thumb:
Give the WD40 and old toothbrush a whirl on the chain. You'll quickly discover whether the rust is small surface rust.
My rule of thumb with 2nd hand stuff is... change the oil & filter as first job, spark plugs second job.
If the bike had been sitting so long the tires went flat, I'd also check two things....
Thing # 1: WHEN the tire was made. Look for a shape that's like a rectangle with round corners and which has 4 numbers in it. Mine has PAF 3308. Which means the tire was made in the 33rd week of 2008. So look for DOT followed by maybe some letters and numbers in combination, then the curved rectangle numbers. Prior to 2000 the number was 3 digits long.
Thing # 2: Look for rubber degradation - does the tire look cracked along the sidewall?
I'm guessing the tires probably aren't the best and may need replacing. But they might be fine. Need to double check them as you will be depending on them.
But really do something about that chain. Worst thing to happen is you break the chain while riding down the road.
Thanks for the pics!
Michael
Quote from: mister on September 19, 2009, 11:56:54 PM
Nice :thumb:
Give the WD40 and old toothbrush a whirl on the chain. You'll quickly discover whether the rust is small surface rust.
My rule of thumb with 2nd hand stuff is... change the oil & filter as first job, spark plugs second job.
If the bike had been sitting so long the tires went flat, I'd also check two things....
Thing # 1: WHEN the tire was made. Look for a shape that's like a rectangle with round corners and which has 4 numbers in it. Mine has PAF 3308. Which means the tire was made in the 33rd week of 2008. So look for DOT followed by maybe some letters and numbers in combination, then the curved rectangle numbers. Prior to 2000 the number was 3 digits long.
Thing # 2: Look for rubber degradation - does the tire look cracked along the sidewall?
I'm guessing the tires probably aren't the best and may need replacing. But they might be fine. Need to double check them as you will be depending on them.
But really do something about that chain. Worst thing to happen is you break the chain while riding down the road.
Thanks for the pics!
Michael
Yeah i will try to clean the chain tomorrow and if i cant then i will replace it.
Tires are pretty good. There is still a lot of rubber left in em.
Not sure about oil and filter so i might also change that but its already winter here so i might wait till next summer.
Thanks for the advice man!!!!
Change the oil and filter, it is cheap and easy to do. If you want to be lazy just drain and refill the oil and don't worry about the filter this time.
At least check the oil level. Put the bike on the center stand and check level with the cap all the way unscrewed.
your chain = :icon_eek: I would scrub all the rust off and lube it before you ride again.
I like the orange paint it looks awesome!
Quote from: Bluesmudge on September 19, 2009, 10:12:37 PM
Any idea how many miles are on that chain? Its possible that if it rusted recently that some WD-40 and a toothbrush could fix it up fine. But if its a high milage chain that has been sitting and rusting for awhile...yeah, replace it.
Hey man, i went to the bike shop today and told him that i will use wd-40 and a toothbrush on my chain and he goes "you should slap the guy who told you that" because that will mess up your chain and you need to get a chain cleaner and spray it on chain instead. I dont know ? can anyone tell me that if i use wd40 on my chain it will be alright?
Quote from: dohabee on September 20, 2009, 01:54:17 AM
Change the oil and filter, it is cheap and easy to do. If you want to be lazy just drain and refill the oil and don't worry about the filter this time.
At least check the oil level. Put the bike on the center stand and check level with the cap all the way unscrewed.
your chain = :icon_eek: I would scrub all the rust off and lube it before you ride again.
I like the orange paint it looks awesome!
Dude, you know what i did? i took it to the bike shop (worst thing ever) the guy charged me 104 dollars along with filter. Thats really expensive (or is it normal price for NYC?) .. maybe i should have done it myself but someone told me that i should go to the shop for the first time etc (stupid me)
What should i lube the chain with?
yeah i like the paint 2.. thanks man!!!!!
Quote from: mister on September 19, 2009, 11:56:54 PM
Nice :thumb:
Give the WD40 and old toothbrush a whirl on the chain. You'll quickly discover whether the rust is small surface rust.
My rule of thumb with 2nd hand stuff is... change the oil & filter as first job, spark plugs second job.
If the bike had been sitting so long the tires went flat, I'd also check two things....
Thing # 1: WHEN the tire was made. Look for a shape that's like a rectangle with round corners and which has 4 numbers in it. Mine has PAF 3308. Which means the tire was made in the 33rd week of 2008. So look for DOT followed by maybe some letters and numbers in combination, then the curved rectangle numbers. Prior to 2000 the number was 3 digits long.
Thing # 2: Look for rubber degradation - does the tire look cracked along the sidewall?
I'm guessing the tires probably aren't the best and may need replacing. But they might be fine. Need to double check them as you will be depending on them.
But really do something about that chain. Worst thing to happen is you break the chain while riding down the road.
Thanks for the pics!
Michael
hey Michael. As you would know already by my previous posts that i went to the bike shop today. The guy told me that i have a lot of cracks on my tires sides even though there is a lot of rubber left on em. Should i keep riding it or do i really have to change em ? what if i am riding and all of a sudden the tires pops? can i get into an accident or anything like that?
Thanks again
those cracks are an indication of tire rot if I remember correctly. The shops are technically supposed to fail your safety inspection, but some shops are more relaxed than others.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 21, 2009, 05:40:23 PM
those cracks are an indication of tire rot if I remember correctly. The shops are technically supposed to fail your safety inspection, but some shops are more relaxed than others.
yea i got lucky(ahem). But u havent answered any of my questions. High 5!!! how long will these tires last if i ride em constantly? bare in mind that it has a few cracks ..
Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 21, 2009, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 21, 2009, 05:40:23 PM
those cracks are an indication of tire rot if I remember correctly. The shops are technically supposed to fail your safety inspection, but some shops are more relaxed than others.
yea i got lucky(ahem). But u havent answered any of my questions. High 5!!! how long will these tires last if i ride em constantly? bare in mind that it has a few cracks ..
You never really know how long they will last which is why it is recommended to replace them.
I wouldn't risk it on a bike but the dry rotted tires on my truck lasted for a couple years.
Post some pictures of the cracked tires, maybe someone will have a recommendation for you.
Quote from: dohabee on September 21, 2009, 06:18:08 PM
Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 21, 2009, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 21, 2009, 05:40:23 PM
those cracks are an indication of tire rot if I remember correctly. The shops are technically supposed to fail your safety inspection, but some shops are more relaxed than others.
yea i got lucky(ahem). But u havent answered any of my questions. High 5!!! how long will these tires last if i ride em constantly? bare in mind that it has a few cracks ..
You never really know how long they will last which is why it is recommended to replace them.
I wouldn't risk it on a bike but the dry rotted tires on my truck lasted for a couple years.
Post some pictures of the cracked tires, maybe someone will have a recommendation for you.
Thanks buddy! i will try to take the pix (of the cracks) tomorrow and post em up!
Do you have any recommendations on what i should use on my chain? wd-40 wont hurt it?
The recommended cleaner is kerosene.
Some people say wd-40 is bad for the o-rings in the chain and it washes away the grease but other people think it is ok.
Quote from: dohabee on September 21, 2009, 06:48:34 PM
The recommended cleaner is kerosene.
Some people say wd-40 is bad for the o-rings in the chain and it washes away the grease but other people think it is ok.
okay..yeah i was doing my own search and i came across this
"Saw your article on using WD-40 for chains and you asked for evidence of potential harm that WD-40 can do, so am attaching a photo. This photo is of a bearing surface from an airplane.
This is a ball and races in a sealed bearing that had been subjected to regular use of WD-40 for a year or two. The grease was NOT cleaned out before taking this photo - there simply is no grease and the brownish tint is really rust.
The ball had grooves (visible) and was shaped like a potato chip. The races had not evenly worn (see sectioned edge) and were rutted in spots, although neither shows too well.
We learned that WD-40 is really good for the light uses that it was intended for and that needs to be emphasized. However, it is largely a penetrant, which will do just that!
Once it penetrates into the sealed area, it dissolves the petroleum out of the grease, leaving the clay binders. What's left in the bearing is essentially dirt that cakes up, causing the balls to skid. Without the petroleum, the bearing will also rust.
The reason that kerosene and diesel fuel are still favorites and recommended by the chain people is that while both can be penetrants, they are a thicker petroleum and just what the O-rings are trying to seal against. Of course, gasoline cleans about the same, but with thinner viscosity and better penetrating power. In all honesty, I still use gas to clean (I'm lazy), but don't beat the bike often, regularly measure for linkage stretch and sprocket wear, and re-lube on every other tank of gas."
Moral of the story is to not use WD-40 for cleaning motorcycle chains. Does anyone know of a better product that is specifically designed for cleaning a motorcycle chain without dissolving the grease behind the O-rings?
i guess i am just going to use the lube for it. THanks a lot man!
btw this is my source and it also has a pic of the wd40 use (just scroll down)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/
Not to change the subject or anything because I have always been taught to use kerosene in the aviation industry but the mechanics that were servicing those bearings should have repacked the bearings every 100 hours or annually. The wheels spin fast and suddenly and if its hot enough that grease will just liquefy and there goes all lubrication. So that bearing was messed up from all around bad maintenance.
WD-40 is a penetrate and from what I have been told it actually attracts moisture and will cause rust if not greased. The o-rings will get messed up because once the penetrant leaves it takes away all the oils in the rubber which cause it to crack and then you have problems. In my opinion it is ok to use as a quick fix but only for a short period of time. I would suggest cleaning it with kerosene and the putting a good chain grease on it as soon as you get the money for the supplies and the free time in your day.
Just my 2 cents though take it how you want to.
Quote from: joker79507 on September 21, 2009, 07:25:08 PM
Not to change the subject or anything because I have always been taught to use kerosene in the aviation industry but the mechanics that were servicing those bearings should have repacked the bearings every 100 hours or annually. The wheels spin fast and suddenly and if its hot enough that grease will just liquefy and there goes all lubrication. So that bearing was messed up from all around bad maintenance.
WD-40 is a penetrate and from what I have been told it actually attracts moisture and will cause rust if not greased. The o-rings will get messed up because once the penetrant leaves it takes away all the oils in the rubber which cause it to crack and then you have problems. In my opinion it is ok to use as a quick fix but only for a short period of time. I would suggest cleaning it with kerosene and the putting a good chain grease on it as soon as you get the money for the supplies and the free time in your day.
Just my 2 cents though take it how you want to.
Thanks man.. Yeah i am thinking about using kerosene on it but i am not sure about the lube..
Well if you just use kerosene it will be clean but then you leave it open to rust and wear more on the chain which will lead to premature failure. I would do both at the same time. Its more time consuming and dirty but its a better pay off in the end.
InEx...
We covered this in another thread Very recently...
#1: A photo of an aircraft bearing does not mean anything other than, don't use it on an aircraft bearing.
#2: WD40 does NOT negatively effect the O-Rings on a chain.
#3: A bike shop will always recommend the most expensive cleaner THEY make money from. (As evidenced from what they wanted you to buy instead of what the manual says to use.)
The Suzuki manuals says:
1 "Clean the chain with kerosene. If the chain tends to rust, the interval must be shortened. Kerosene is a petroleum product and will provide some lubrication as well as cleaning action."
2 "After thoroughly washing the chain and allowing it to dry, oil the links with Suzuki chain lube or an equivalent lubricant"
*I* use WD40 as my chain lube. I lube my chain at least once, sometimes twice a week. I do it after I tank up. I tank up in the morning, check tire pressure and then when I get home I lube the chain. So I know it was all done the same day. So far no detrimental chain problems with using WD40. And I am yet to read of anyone who has had problems using it. I've read people who don't use it saying not to use it because XXXX. But nothing from anyone who has used it and experienced XXXX. Plenty from people who have used it an no detrimental effects.
So give a spray and wipe with some WD40 and see how it goes. BUT. If you have doubts, grab yourself a bottle of kero and use that instead and then some expensive chain lube.
Remember what I said about the cracks to look for? The bike shop saw them. As for riding around on cracked tires... *I* would change them. See, even though the cracks may not look bad inflated, the tires were Flat. So no telling how Deep those cracks really go and thus how much rubber you really have left in your side wall. But, do show us some pics of the tires anyway.
And in addition... if you can, a close up pic of your chain sprocket. it just occurred to me it might not be in the best condition either. Might be fine. And just a rusty chain and cracked tired from sitting in the shed for too long.
Michael
Quotewhat if i am riding and all of a sudden the tires pops? can i get into an accident or anything like that?
Yes, something like that. Or worse.
It sounds like your bike is costing quite a bit of money to get going, but once it is up to par, maintenance is going to be pretty cheap.
I don't know much about the whole chain cleaning debate, but a can of PJ Blue chain lube is less than $10. I've used this every 600 miles (or so), and I'm still on my first can 9500 miles later. Maybe if you lube with WD-40 twice a week you won't have a problem, but for a couple bucks more for the real thing, seems a no brainer.
To each their own though. :cheers:
Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 21, 2009, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on September 21, 2009, 05:40:23 PM
those cracks are an indication of tire rot if I remember correctly. The shops are technically supposed to fail your safety inspection, but some shops are more relaxed than others.
yea i got lucky(ahem). But u havent answered any of my questions. High 5!!! how long will these tires last if i ride em constantly? bare in mind that it has a few cracks ..
Dohabee said it already.... the reason why I didn't give you a definite answer to how long you can ride 'em s because there IS no answer.
They can blow today. They can blow tomorrow. Get them changed before they blow.
Quote from: mister on September 22, 2009, 02:02:57 AM
InEx...
We covered this in another thread Very recently...
#1: A photo of an aircraft bearing does not mean anything other than, don't use it on an aircraft bearing.
#2: WD40 does NOT negatively effect the O-Rings on a chain.
#3: A bike shop will always recommend the most expensive cleaner THEY make money from. (As evidenced from what they wanted you to buy instead of what the manual says to use.)
The Suzuki manuals says:
1 "Clean the chain with kerosene. If the chain tends to rust, the interval must be shortened. Kerosene is a petroleum product and will provide some lubrication as well as cleaning action."
2 "After thoroughly washing the chain and allowing it to dry, oil the links with Suzuki chain lube or an equivalent lubricant"
*I* use WD40 as my chain lube. I lube my chain at least once, sometimes twice a week. I do it after I tank up. I tank up in the morning, check tire pressure and then when I get home I lube the chain. So I know it was all done the same day. So far no detrimental chain problems with using WD40. And I am yet to read of anyone who has had problems using it. I've read people who don't use it saying not to use it because XXXX. But nothing from anyone who has used it and experienced XXXX. Plenty from people who have used it an no detrimental effects.
So give a spray and wipe with some WD40 and see how it goes. BUT. If you have doubts, grab yourself a bottle of kero and use that instead and then some expensive chain lube.
Remember what I said about the cracks to look for? The bike shop saw them. As for riding around on cracked tires... *I* would change them. See, even though the cracks may not look bad inflated, the tires were Flat. So no telling how Deep those cracks really go and thus how much rubber you really have left in your side wall. But, do show us some pics of the tires anyway.
And in addition... if you can, a close up pic of your chain sprocket. it just occurred to me it might not be in the best condition either. Might be fine. And just a rusty chain and cracked tired from sitting in the shed for too long.
Michael
Hey thanks again michael. I will take pix of the tires/chain sprocket and put em up in a few days..
Quote from: NF11624 on September 22, 2009, 05:47:45 AM
I don't know much about the whole chain cleaning debate, but a can of PJ Blue chain lube is less than $10. I've used this every 600 miles (or so), and I'm still on my first can 9500 miles later. Maybe if you lube with WD-40 twice a week you won't have a problem, but for a couple bucks more for the real thing, seems a no brainer.
To each their own though. :cheers:
Damn that sounds BADDDD... I cant imagine going on 40+ mph and the tire blowing up on me.. i would seriously get hurt.. hmmm.
yeah i think i am leaning more towards the chain lube spray... its around 10 bucks here 2.. but i also want to use kerosene on it..
Thanks again guys.. I really appreciate your replies and help... Pe@ce
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