Since you failed to quote the rest of the thread:
(5/19/04 8:19 pm)
MCN Chain Lube Shootout -
OK, found the article. It's in the September 2001 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News if anyone wants a reprint. There's about four pages of text and phots about chain lubes and how they run the test, but here in Part 1, I've paraphrased the parts I figured most would care about. Subsequent parts are copied directly from the article, only difference is I converted their "black dots" (or portions thereof) to a numeric system for convenience. They tested 22 different popular lubes at the time of the writing. I was wrong, WD-40 didn't come in last, they came in 19th. Popular chain waxes ranked mid-pack. All lubes were tested in the following areas, with street performance more in mind than off-road:
Visual Observation - Product was sprayed into a container to evaluate delivery method with the nozzle and tip extention (if equipped). Properties noted along with a follow-up observation after solvents evaporated. Also observed tackiness between thumb and forefinger and dabbed them together several times. Author assumed a tacky lube would stay longer, but real tests would prove or disprove later. Since this was a subjective test, this postion did not count in scoring, but comments are made in the Observation section for each lube.
Corrosion Resistance - 7"x2" pieces of mild steel, thoroughly sanded w/150 grit sandpaper two times and solvent cleaned three times to remove any possible contaminants were used as the test article. Each lube was applied to it's own test strip held at 45* for 10 minutes to allow for runoff (as a chain would have runoff, too), allowed to dry for 2 hours, then exposed to a salt water bath for 12 hours, then air dry for 12 hours. Cycle repeated twice.
Grit Resistance - New test strips, prepped as above, sprayed with lube and allowed to dry had dried sand applied 1/4" deep. Pieces then turned upside down and allowed any loose sand to fall off. This was the end of the grit test. Pieces then cleanedwith high pressure water. Some lubes released sand and easily washed away, some would not wash away without solvent cleaning, these lubes were noted in the final comments as these would probably be good lubes for severe wet weather use.
Sling Off Test - A 16/43 sprocket set with a Tsubaki chain (size not stated, and neither was ring status, but based on the way the article was written, I'm guessing it was a ringed chain - and probably 530) turned at 1750 RPM by an electric motor with white paper at both sprocket pivot points was used to check sling. Lube was applied to upper and lower sides of chain and allowed an hour to dry. Chain was cleaned in kerosene and dried with compressed air between each run.
Initial Rolling Resistance - Using the sling off test setup, (cleaning and lube methods, too), the motor was started and allowed to reach it's full 1750 rpm, then the motor stopped and a stopwatch used to note the time to coast to a complete stop.
Post-Use Rolling Resistance - Same as Initial above, except chain was run for one hour, simulating 46 miles of no-load use, before timing coast down
Scoring performace was graded all relative to one another, ie; no absolute scale for any of the categories, just whatever performed best, got a rating of 5 and worst got a 1.
They said if you have personal preferences in a certain area over another, use the scoring to pick the one that excells in your preferred field(s).
(5/19/04 8:48 pm)
Re: MCN Chain Lube Shootout - The Rankings
Please note that some brands have more than one representative here, and in those cases, there are differences in results (in the Yamaha brand, drastic), so be sure you look at the label carefully. Honda's blue label can was not tested... I don't think it was out at the time of the test.
1. PJ1 Chain Lube (black) (MCN Best Buy)
Total Score 25.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Sling Off = 3.0
Corrosion Resistance = 5.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 5.0
Cost per ounce = $0.42
Observations: Dark blackish/purple slightly foamy spray. Dries to thick black liquid that feels very tacky. Best in group in corrosion reisitance and in reducing rolling resistance. A long-time leader in chain lube technology.
2. Kawasaki K-Kare Foaming (MCN Recommended)
Total Score 23.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 4.0
Value = 5.0
Cost per ounce = $0.36
Observations: A slightly foamy, amber medium thin liquid that dissapates moderately fast. When dry it remains a med. thin liquid with a slight tackiness to the touch. Least expensive of all bike-specific products. Excellent initial and post rolling resistance, but poor sling off characterisitcs.
3. Yamaha Performance (MCN Recommended)
Total Score 23.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 3.0
Sling Off = 4.0
Corrosion Resistance = 5.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 4.5
Cost per ounce = $0.53
Observations: Sprays a fine mist of yellowish-white slightly foamy liquid. Quickly dissapates into a med. thin, light viscosity liquid. Dries into a light amber solid gel with no tackiness to the touch but did produce a slippery feel. Excellent corrosion resistance and good sling off resistance.
4. Pro Honda HP Lube (red can) (MCN Recommended)
Total Score 22.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 3.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 2.5
Sling Off = 4.0
Corrosion Resistance = 5.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 4.0
Cost per ounce = $0.53
Observations: A fine mist spray that was dark gray and was very thin in viscosity. The product dried to a soft blackish non-pourable grease with little to no tackiness. Superb rust protection, average or better in other respects.
5. PJ1 Chain Lube (blue) (MCN Recommended)
Total Score 22.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 4.5
Sling Off = 2.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 2.0
Value = 4.5
Cost per ounce = $0.44
Observations: Fine pinpoint spray that is very thin in viscosity and blue in color. Dries to a tacky, thin gel. Very water resistant. Despite mfr claims, sling off is below average. Initial rolling resistance is excellent and maintains well during use, but the tacky gel also attracts and holds grit.
6. Torco Power Slide Titanium (MCN Recommended)
Total Score 21.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 3.5
Sling Off = 4.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 3.5
Cost per ounce = $0.54
Observations: High preessure med spray of a white liquid. Dries into a soft, foam-like cream. Very light and slippery, yet little tackiness to the touch. Very water resistant. This is Torco's new (back in 2001 when this was written) product that replaces the Power Slide lube.
7. Bardahl Chain Wax
Total Score 20.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 3.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 2.0
Sling Off = 4.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 4.0
Cost per ounce = $0.47
Observations: Medium brown high-pressure mist when using the extended tip or the built-in nozzle. Eventually dries to a hard, waxy solid. No tackiness was detected due to the paraffin base. Good resistance to sling off, butabout average in all other respects.
8. Maxima Synthetic Chain Guard
Total Score 19.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 5.0
Sling Off = 2.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 1.0
Value = 3.0
Cost per ounce = $0.54
Observations: Slightly foamy spray dissapated moderately slowly. Dries to a light amber color, pourable oil similar in viscosity to thin motor oil. Some tackiness was noted. Tied for first place with Kawasaki for best rolling resistance.
9. Silkolene ProChain
Total Score 18.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 3.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Sling Off = 4.0
Corrosion Resistance = 1.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 3.5
Cost per ounce = $0.48
Observations: Very thin jet like spray with a trace of green color in a basically clear liquid. Dries to a clear, unpourable gel with high tackiness. Maintains good rolling resistance and sling characteristics, but scores poorly in corrosion resistance despite mfr's claims.
10. Bel-Ray Chain Lube
Total Score 18.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 2.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 4.0
Cost per ounce = $0.43
Observations: Strong pinpoint light tan spray from the nozzle that instantly foams into a thick shaving cream like foam. Dries to a very thick and very tacky amber liquid similar in viscosity to honey. Also has the tip holder built into the can top. Good rolling resistance, but poor sling off characterisitcs.
11. Maxima Chain Wax
Total Score 17.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 4.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.5
Sling Off = 3.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 2.0
Cost per ounce = $0.59
Observations: Slightly misty spray was delivered with the nozzle and with the extended nozzle of the coffee colored liquid. Eventually dries to a hard waxy solid. No tackiness was detected due to the paraffin base. Good initial rolling resistance, but effects seem to degrade quickly in use.
12. VP Chain Glide
Total Score 17.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 4.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Sling Off = 3.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.5
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 2.5
Cost per ounce = $0.54
Observations: The entire wording on the label is identical to Maxima Chain Wax except for the brand name... hmmm? Not suprisingly, all test results and observations were also nearly identical. However, the VP is slightly less expensive.
13. Bel-Ray Super Clean
Total Score 17.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 2.5
Sling Off = 5.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 2.0
Cost per ounce = $0.59
Observations: Milky colored fine mist spray. Dries to a soft yet thick non-pourable cake icing-like film that feels quite slippery to the touch with some tackiness. Very water-resistant. Product cap has a very handy tip holder built into it. A top scorer in sling off, but poor rolling resistance.
14. Castrol Chain Wax
Total Score 17.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 3.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Sling Off = 5.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 1.0
Cost per ounce = $1.84
Observations: Delivers a very fine, milky colored mist, no extended nozzle was included. Dries to a soft, thick, non-pourable cake icing like film. Very slippery to the touch with some tackiness. Excellent sling off rating, but poor rolling resistance. Very expensive.
15. Lubrimatic EP Gear Lube
Total Score 16.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 2.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 4.0
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 2.0
Grit Resistance = 2.0
Value = 5.0
Cost per ounce = $0.059
Observations: No claims specific to motorcycle chains. However, several manufacturers suggest the use of gear lube. Medium thick dark amber liquid. Since it contains no solvents its appearance does not change as time passes. Good rolling resistance but poor sling off characteristics. Least expensive by far of all products.
16. Motul Chain Lube
Total Score 16.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 3.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Sling Off = 5.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 2.0
Value = 1.5
Cost per ounce = $0.59
Observations: Lid contains a convenient holder for the extra tip and extended nozzle. Product is delivered as a fine mist of very clear, light viscosity spray. Very water resistant. Excellent sling off and good corrosion resistance.
17. Motul Chain Lube Plus
Total Score 16.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 1.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 2.0
Sling Off = 5.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 1.5
Cost per ounce = $0.59
Observations: High pressure mist-like spray. Dries to a white cake icing-like feel. Has good tackiness to touch. Very water-resistant. Excellent sling-off characteristics. The large can refills Motul's small-sized can, saving you expense.
18. Suzuki Chain Lube
Total Score 16.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 1.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 3.5
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 3.0
Cost per ounce = $0.42
Observations: Thick dark purplish foamy spray, quickly dissipates leaving a medium thin liquid. Dries to a clear liquid on top with a darker black layer on bottom. Moderate tackiness. Very water resistant. Slings off easily.
19. WD-40
Total Score 14.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 2.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 3.0
Grit Resistance = 5.0
Value = 2.5
Cost per ounce = $0.40
Observations: Thin amber liquid in a fine spray that did not dry or cure. An old standby of cyclists everywhere. WD-40 showed excellent grit resistance and good corrosion and water protection, but slings off easily and comes up short on rolling resistance. Most moto-specific lubes are better.
20. Spectro Synthetic total tac
Total Score 14.5
Initial Rolling Resistance = 1.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.5
Sling Off = 3.0
Corrosion Resistance = 4.0
Grit Resistance = 2.0
Value = 2.5
Cost per ounce = $0.46
Observations: White thick foamy spray, slow to dissapate. Large diameter nozzle sprays a slow, easy to control pattern while extended nozzle delivers a fine spray. Dried to a cloudy light honey-like pourable liquid with some tackiness. Good corrosion resistance, but not much else.
21. Silkolene Chain Lube
Total Score 11.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 2.5
Post Rolling Resistance = 4.5
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 1.0
Grit Resistance = 1.0
Value = 1.0
Cost per ounce = $0.41
Observations: Dark brown, medium-thick spray that was slightly foamy as dispensed. Dries to a dark brownish-black, pourable oil with good tackiness. Excellent extended rolling resistance, but corrosion, grit reisitance and sling off all the worst of the group. Silkolene's ProChain scores better.
22. Yamaha Chain Lube
Total Score 9.0
Initial Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Post Rolling Resistance = 1.0
Sling Off = 1.0
Corrosion Resistance = 2.0
Grit Resistance = 3.0
Value = 1.0
Cost per ounce = $0.43
Observations: Thick purplish foamy spray quickly dissapates leaving medium-thin liquid. Dries to a clear liquid on top with a darker layer on bottom. Moderate tackiness. Very water resistant. Poor resistance and sling off. Odd, as Yamaha's Performance brand scored a "Recommended."
Topic: Chain Lube Discovery (Read 4198 times)