Featured Chain Maintenance

I like the bobber BTW and I've never liked the Bonnie style bikes (to me they just feel like I'm not old enough yet ). Sweet.

 

M&P offer on XCP chain lube. £9 each or £11 for 2 and ipone 250mls for £2.50

https://www.mandp.co.uk/xcp-motorcycle-chain-lube-2-x-400ml.html

https://www.mandp.co.uk/ipone-spray-chain-grease-white-250ml.html

 

Thanks gents for the chain lube info. Only have 90 miles on my new T120 Bonneville and figure I should give it it's first lube.

I am late to the rodeo but have a question regarding the use of kerosene to clean the chain. It was mentioned that most new chains are lubed internally. Will the use of kerosene be detrimental to the internal lube??

 

Absolutely not. Spray it on, leave for 5 mins then wipe off with a rag. Then give it a coat of gear oil EP90. Cheapest and quickest way of keeping a chain clean and lubricated IMO

 

Thanks Carl!
Now, just 2 more questions from the forum:
I see that the OP used WD40 penetrant to clean his chain; would that be detrimental to the internal lube?

Lastly, anyone know if the chains on 2023 Bonnevilles have internal lube?
Many thanks

 

I think all chains from the major mfgr's have had such chains for quite sometime now.

 

Can't answer for WD40, but I'd stick to buying a decent quality cleaner, personally I use Muc-Off.

Pretty sure FortNine has done a video on chain lubes and cleaners.

I'd be gobsmacked if your Bonny wasn't internal lube as you call it; they certainly were up to 2020 and pretty much all OEM chains are now. Check the specs section at the back of the OHB, if it says O-ring then its internal lube. The maintenance section of the OHB will also tell you to check and lube the chain every 200-300 miles.

O-ring chains basically seal the chain grease between the bush and the pin that holds the two side plates together. The bush is the part that takes the most load (apart from where the chain connects with the sprocket) and therefore is in the most need of lubrication.

As an aside when looking on mfr's websites like DID or Regina etc., you'll see terms like O-ring, X-ring, Z-ring. O, X & Z, they all relate to the profile of the O-ring that keeps the oil between the bush and the pin.

 

Thanks RevPaul, Traveler, and Carl for the info; next task for me is to clean and lube the chain; will use kerosene to clean, gearlube 80-90 to lube.

 

For those looking for a supply of Kerosene to clean thier chain. B&Q stock Diall Lantern and torch oil; this is oderless Kerosene (Kerosene that has undergone a refining process to remove sulfur-containing compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons) at £6 per Litre. A Litre should keep my chain clean for a few years, and much cheaper than spray can cleaner.

 

I've always used diesel for chain cleaning. Much cheaper and readily available.

 

I considered diesel but wasn't sure if it was OK for the chain so decided to stay safe and get Kerosene. I assume therefore you've had no problems using diesel.

 

I've never had any issues using diesel. Diesel degrades natural rubber but not nitrile rubber which AFAIK is what O rings are made of. This is fossil diesel and not bio diesel which can affect nitrile rubber in high concentrations. Diesel is also bad for skin.

 

You say no but just have a look at this extract from the Factory Workshop Manual for my Ducati. If any manufacturer were to go OTT on how their machines should be treated I would expect if of them, after all they even specify the particular Shell grease that you need to apply to the chain adjuster bolts, how anal is that?

IMHO Petrol is the best degreaser there is. You just need to use your noddle when using it.

 

Anyone remember LinkLyfe? Back in the day when non O ring chains were the norm, particularly on off road machines, I used to remove the chain, wash it in a petrol/diesel bath and when dry, immerse it in LinkLyfe heated on a camping stove in the garage. Probably the best chain lube ever made but the heat required is obviously no good for O rings. I still have a tin in the garage somewhere, must be nearly 40 years old.
The first time I used it I heated it on the hob in the kitchen but the stink quickly got me relegated to the garage.


Edit.........found it. Notice the price on the lid, £2.76 + VAT!

 

Yep. I used to hang it on Mum’s washing line to drip off when I lifted it out of the tin. Brilliant stuff.

 

Bet your mom loved you

 

Ah the good old days when I used to boil the chain in grease on top of the stove and bake my freshly painted cylinders in the oven. Great way to learn cooking skills.

 

She did let me cure the Araldite on my oil tank in the oven once and completely reassemble the engine in my bedroom following a total strip down, yes, those were the days.