Those of you who are old enough to owe Moses a dollar can probably skip this thread...

When I bought my bike a month ago most of the routine maintenance had already been performed...oil changed, fork oil and brake fluid replaced, etc., but I had no idea how long it had been since the chain had been lubed. Cleaned and lubed it last night and was surprised by two things...

1. It didn't "look" all that dirty but the amount of gunk coming out of it was surprising .

2. The rear wheel spins MUCH more freely now. At first I thought the rear brake might be dragging a little since the friction on the wheel seemed excessive. I realize there is too much mechanically connected to the rear wheel for it to spin completely free even in neutral but I'm willing to bet that there will be noticeable improvement in fuel mileage on my next fill up.

I guess the moral of this thread is that if you are on the fence as to what kind of benefits there might be to lubing the chain then you might want to try it at least once. I've become a believer.

P.S. I realize all of my threads tend to be obvious in a "the sun is hot" and "water is wet" sort of way. I'm thinking about changing my screen name to "Captain Obvious".

Yea I maintain my chain all the time even though I don't think it looks like it needs it, but maintenaince schedules mandate!

yay maintenance !

What is the best way to clean the chain?

I clean with wd40, rotating the wheel, using a toothbrush on the chain to work it in there, wipe it all off, then hit it with chain spray wax

Take bike for ride to get chain warm
Put bike on center stand
clean and polish chain with WD40
Apply fresh chain oil
Adjust chain tension if needed
Take bike for short run
Inspect rear wheel and tyre for oil fling
Clean off any oil fling on tyre and wheel
Go ride and have fun.

There are some great threads here in the forums on this exact issue.  Do a search and you will find.

I use this thing called a grunge brush. My motorcycle shop sells it but so do most pedal bike shops. Brushes on three sides and gets the hard to get spots but yes definitely while the chain is warm

Keep my eyes out for that brush Triumph....Good find 

The manual suggests every 600 miles...which sounds like a lot of work, frankly. One should adjust for road conditions, of course.  I used kerosene which I read somewhere (Haynes manual, maybe?) Supposedly it doesnt deteriorate the small seals on the chain. I am not sure about WD-40 on the seals.    Sorry to rain on your parade, just my $.02

Quote from: jeremy_nash on April 19, 2009, 05:55:30 PM
I clean with wd40, rotating the wheel, using a toothbrush on the chain to work it in there, wipe it all off, then hit it with chain spray wax

you'll find in a new chains packaging that it specifically says not to use a brush. the o-ring seals don't need any more contact with our world than they already get.

wd-40 on a rag will take off the mess easily.

I don't even do that anymore.

I just spray it with DuPont chain wax (blue can, everyone has a picture of the can now) from Home Depot or Lowes. Wipe off the excess and ride on. Works better AFTER a ride  as mentioned above when the chain is warm. Then you're lubed and ready for the next time ! woot !

Quote from: flynlo on April 20, 2009, 03:11:15 AM
The manual suggests every 600 miles...which sounds like a lot of work, frankly. One should adjust for road conditions, of course.  I used kerosene which I read somewhere (Haynes manual, maybe?) Supposedly it doesnt deteriorate the small seals on the chain. I am not sure about WD-40 on the seals.    Sorry to rain on your parade, just my $.02

Another link I don't have handy right now... shows everything from gasoline to brake fluid to waxes and wd40 tested on o-rings.

What I remember is: Kerosene, waxes, wd-40, motor oil = all safe, good.

brushes = bad
solvents (like gas) = bad

Once per week I oil the chain, every week, regardless, usually after cleaning the bike.

It takes 10 minutes max...fire the bike on the centre stand, get some 10/40 engine oil (the cheaper stuff), dip paint brush in oil and apply to the chain.....sorted 

Sometimes, I clean the chain too...using WD40 with a rag, clean it all, then repeat above.  Adds 5 mins to the job max.

Happy days motorcycling with a lubed chain which also helps the tension AND stops it from drying up and eventually popping off.  Ask yourself how much fun you'll have pushing a 400+lb (+ fuel) GS500 to somewhere to get the chain back on BOTH sprockets when it pops off, due to lack of chain maintainence...I pushed a bike half that weight 1 mile to a stealer to resolve the chain/sprockets and I will NEVER make that mistake again...

Lube is the key...normal 10/40 oil with a paint brush will do, clean up mess, sorted...

I use kerosene or wd-40 on a rag to occasionally clean my chain, and then a scott oiler to keep it oiled. It is amazing how much of a difference it makes with a clean lubed chain, the rear wheel turns so easy.

Oh thanks for reminding me to send that dollar to Moses, I keep forgetting about that.. 
Tony