Author Topic: Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle  (Read 3558 times)

Offline b4cruz

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« on: March 11, 2006, 08:30:26 PM »
I've ridden in rain all weekend
i'm gonna re-lube today
how often do you re-lube your chain when it rains?

Offline solman

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2006, 11:09:58 PM »
In my opinion, if you keep your chain properly lubed, the rain shouldn't affect it any.  For me on a average week when I am back home with my bike in decent (not freezing) weather, I average lubing my chain once a week.
03 Naked Bandit 1200 <br />Vitamin B12, its great for the soul!

Offline txbanditrydr

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2006, 11:50:32 PM »
I avoid the rain if at all possible.... the one time I got caught in a heavy (and I do mean heavy) downpour the first thing I did when I got home was.... re-lube the chain. :duh:   Well, maybe after changing clothes since I had no rain gear on and was soaked to the bone. :boohoo:
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Offline Sven

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2006, 01:29:40 AM »
I voted "never ride in bad weather" since I normally would not choose to ride/commute in rain or high chance of rain...it's not comfortable wearing rainy gear, and it's not comfortable with wet b@lls either.  Of course, I've been caught in the rain and just deal with it as a fact of life.

I don't lube after rain, but after riding in rain, I usually wash the bike soon, which leads to lubing the chain...
2003 Suzuki Bandit 1200S | el Bandido de Cerceta | the teal bandit
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Offline mike

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2006, 02:31:02 AM »
Quote
after riding in rain, I usually wash the bike soon, which leads to cleaning lubing the chain...

DITTO!

Offline aussiebandit

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2006, 07:33:11 AM »
Well for me I can't remember the last time it really rained.  But in the past I've usually lubed the chain at the end of a rainy week, but that also depends on how far I've ridden.  As a general rule I lube the chain every 2nd or 3rd tank of fuel depending on what sort of riding I've been doing.
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Offline Red01

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2006, 09:58:44 AM »
I don't usually go out riding in the rain either - that's what I have cages for. OTOH, I do get caught in it from time to time and I have left on trips in it - knowing I was heading to sunshine. I normally lube the chain every other tank of gas, so that's ~300-400 miles. If I happen to get caught in the rain in the meanitime, the chain gets fresh lube when I get out of the rain.

You'll never hurt a chain from lubing it too often, but you will certainly hurt one if you don't lube it enough.
Paul
2001 GSF1200S
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2010 Concours 14ABS
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Offline LowRyter

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2006, 11:23:21 AM »
I usually won't sray on chain wax unless the chain is fairly clean.  I clean it with kerosene (also just got a motorcycle engine degraser that works great).  If the chain isn't real dirty I'll give it a hot of wax every 3-500 or so miles.  But after riding in the rain, it's bound to be pretty dirty, so I would clean it first.

I probably don' know what I am talking about since I've just put my 5th chain on the B12.

John 98 Red B12
almost 50k miles
John L

1998 Red Suzuki GSF-1200S
1998 Red & Cream Moto Guzzi V11 EV
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Offline oremike

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2006, 11:49:41 AM »
Wow 5 chains in 50,000 miles??? I'm still on my 2nd at 37,000. I lube my chain about every 600 miles. If I'm going to ride over that in a day I lube at the end of the day. As for lubeing after a rain I'd say yes if it needs it.
Ride the roads that make you giggle in your helmet.

Offline b4cruz

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2006, 05:50:45 PM »
arggh!
just cleaned mine.
Took lots of scrubbing.
Looks so fantastic now I hate to go get it wet again.

Any of you hardcore tourers know if any lube is better for rain?
My KawaChem does fine, but I haven't used anything else really.

I really don't mind the rain
I like my gear, except for my gloves.

The real problem is the chain & bike parking.
I'm still not confident about getting the chain soaked
and I hate leaving the bike sitting out for too long in rain.

Offline Red01

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2006, 09:49:44 AM »
Read the MCN Chain Lube shootout in this thread.
The lubes that rate highest in corrosion protection and sling-off would be your best bet for wet rides.
Paul
2001 GSF1200S
(04/2001-03/2012)
2010 Concours 14ABS
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Offline Swamp Rat

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2006, 01:04:17 PM »
Im a bit remiss in the up keep of my chain. It gets lubed when it starts making clattering noises. I put my dirt bike spray lube on it to help repell the water and other grimies.
Brian
20003 1200s
2001 Drz 400e

Offline pmackie

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Re-lubing the chain after heavy rain or heavy puddle
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2006, 01:17:48 AM »
I lube mine every 500 kms or so (300 miles). I clean it with Varsol every month in riding season and then relube. My factory chain is at 21,000 km but will need replacing before 30,000 km.

If you have a regular coating of lube on the chain, the wet ride should not be a big concern. O-ring & X-ring chains should keep any moisture out of the internals.
Paul
2002-GSF600S, Progressive Fork Springs, B12 Shock,
SS Brake lines, EBC HH pads, Leo Vince Ex & Kappa bags.
Ex Bike Mechanic (late 70's), somewhat rusty
32 years in the Fuel/lubes industry(Retired)