Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: sputnik378 on July 29, 2006, 08:27:22 PM
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I am just looking into buying myself some chemicals for my bike, and I'd like a few suggestions. I think this could be useful to others in the future as well. So I'll just get into it.
Chain lube (I know there are massive threads about this but a few more thoughts never hurt anyone)
Internal mechanism grease (something like Suzuki super grease A, whatever the hell that is I can hardly find the stuff anywhere) this is for things like say the push pin in a clutch or other small internal parts that need special lube.
gasket adhesives (like the stuff you put on new gaskets when you replace them to seal the points that have a split in the metal)
Cable housings and cables (not quite in the lube or adhesive category, but a fairly important topic regardless)
and of course anything anyone would like to add. Just looking for some background from people who fix and maintain their bikes regularly. I'm fairly new at it and would like to save myself some trial and error time if possible.
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Chain lube.... Maxima chain wax - the best I have used
Grease.... any high perf wheel bearing grease - Valvoline at the moment
Gasket adhesive.... permatex or any equivelent such as Hondabond
Cable lube....... WD40 or any other spray lube
Hope that helps, Ed.
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Right now - Honda Blue chain lube but will probably go back to the Maxima wax next.
Valvoline synth bearing grease for most stuff.
Gasket - Permatex
Prestone silicone lube for cables.
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90 weight gear oil for the chain - (27,000 miles and counting)
Snapper mower grease ('cuz I have a huge jug of it)
Permatex (black)
Cables???..... What cables?????
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90 weight gear oil for the chain - (27,000 miles and counting)
Snapper mower grease ('cuz I have a huge jug of it)
Permatex (black)
Cables???..... What cables?????
Throttle pull, throttle return and choke?
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Throttle pull, throttle return and choke?
Oh ya...... guess I better get busy. :duh:
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I like the Chain Wax too but never got 25k+ mles from a chain either.
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I used 90w gear oil for chain lube on my first bike, a then new 1983 Honda 450 Nighthawk. That stuff makes a mess. It is an effective chain lubricant, but the clean up was a nightmare.
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I used 90w gear oil for chain lube on my first bike, a then new 1983 Honda 450 Nighthawk. That stuff makes a mess. It is an effective chain lubricant, but the clean up was a nightmare.
Not to mention the stench!
In addition to the previously mentioned, get some Permatex Ultra Slick w/PTFE all-purpose lube.....stuff is great!
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Chain lube............I dont use any. I wipe the side plates down with an oily rag once every two weeks. I average about 25K miles on a chain and sprocket set.
Gasket sealer...........Never use any. The last thing I want is little pieces of gasket compound circulating in the oil system.
Grease........Hi temp bearing grease.
Cable lube......Boeshield T-9, a corrosion block, water displacement and lubricant. Can also be used on plastic and rubber as a lubricant, and will lube "O" rings on a chain and block rust.
Blue
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Gasket sealer...........Never use any. The last thing I want is little pieces of gasket compound circulating in the oil system.
Blue
Obviously do not spread the stuff around thick enough to clog every small oil passage.
I do not see how you can get the spark plug tower gaskets to stay put while you install the cam cover without some sort of adhesive. Using gasket bond is much easier on the half moon plugs on the ends of the cam cover gasket also. Its even called for in the factory service manual.
Been using the stuff for 20+ years with no side effects.
Ride On, Ed.
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Chain lube = Honda Red can
Grease = Boat trailer grease (will stand total submersion in water - been using it on my Jeeps for eons)
Gasket adhesive = Mopar black silicone (got it free from a friend at a Jeep dealership - when it's not around, Permatex is fine, too)
Cables - Dupont's Teflon spray lube from Lowe's
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Have Blue got this one right! Some gasket sealer always gets inside the cases no matter how careful you might be. When I took off my cam cover to set my tappets at 500 miles guess what I found inside the cover and on the head...gasket sealer from the factory assembly just waiting to get loose and plug an oilway. I used a scraper made from a slice of an aluminum can and removed it. It was a tedious process because I took my time to avoid losing any into the cases where it could cause trouble.
I replaced the cover using Aladdin Magic Lube Teflon Grease (for swimming pool filter o-rings) to hold the o-rings and gasket into the cover during assembly. It is rated for high temp and is easy to handle. This stuff worked great! No leaks and easy clean up. Get it at a pool store. Not cheap but IMHO it is the thing for o-rings and valve cover gaskets.
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A smear of grease has always worked well for "sticking" gaskets in place. I probably wont change. hehe
Blue
I do not see how you can get the spark plug tower gaskets to stay put while you install the cam cover without some sort of adhesive. Using gasket bond is much easier on the half moon plugs on the ends of the cam cover gasket also. Its even called for in the factory service manual.
Been using the stuff for 20+ years with no side effects.
Ride On, Ed.
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Chain lube = Honda Red can
Grease = Boat trailer grease (will stand total submersion in water - been using it on my Jeeps for eons)
Gasket adhesive = Mopar black silicone (got it free from a friend at a Jeep dealership - when it's not around, Permatex is fine, too)
Cables - Dupont's Teflon spray lube from Lowe's
i bought a bike a month ago and don't know what honda red can is. can you please elaborate? also let me know where i can find some? is application relatively simple? just a toothbrush and a rag?
it seems the previous owner applied some kind of thick oil. it has left streaks of oil on the rear fork. how do i clean that up?
thanks
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I bought a gallon of kerosene years back and use it to clean the chain and most other parts that get really dirty.
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i bought a bike a month ago and don't know what honda red can is. can you please elaborate? also let me know where i can find some? is application relatively simple? just a toothbrush and a rag?
it seems the previous owner applied some kind of thick oil. it has left streaks of oil on the rear fork. how do i clean that up?
Honda makes 2 chain lubes - one comes in a red can, the other in blue. The blue can is the newer formula but lots of people have stuck with the red. A rag and some kerosene or WD40 works well for cleaning. The lube, follow the directions. Typically, you put it on after riding with the chain is warm and then let it set-up over night so it doesn't fling all over the place.
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For chain lube I have settled on Ballistol, www.ballistol.com. You can find it at some electrical supply houses, but not everyone carries it. You can use the stuff for dang near everything including treating your cars dashboard, cleaning a gun and everything in between.
I absolutely hate Chain Wax and the like which only puts a clear coat over the old dirt if you don't clean the chain first every time. It actually seals in any dirt that's left. Ballistol cleans and lubes. But if I used a dry type lube, I've used the Honda Lube in the red can and it's pretty good. It disolves the crud wheras Chain Wax does nothing but seal the crud on there.
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Another great thing about Ballistol is the variety of cannister sizes, all the way down to a tiny 1.5 OZ can that will fit into the smallest of tank bags. Perfect for a 3-4 day outing.