Questions about chain tightening and lubricating

[MaxBandit]

Hey guys,

As you may have guessed my 2008 bandit 650 k8 is my first bike so I am not very mechanically minded yet.

I have some questions regarding upkeep of the chain.

How often should the chain be tightened, cleaned and lubricated?

Typically, how long will a chain last before it snaps or needs to be replaced?

Can I clean and lubricate the chain when it is on the bike or will I need to remove it to do this?

Can you recommend a good product for cleaning and lubricating the chain?

Also with regards to chain adjustment, how do I actually do this?

Thanks for any replies

Max

[wizzobeer]

Try doing a search, many different opinions kinda like oil

[txbanditrydr]

Hey guys,

As you may have guessed my 2008 bandit 650 k8 is my first bike so I am not very mechanically minded yet.

I have some questions regarding upkeep of the chain.

How often should the chain be tightened, cleaned and lubricated?

Typically, how long will a chain last before it snaps or needs to be replaced?

Can I clean and lubricate the chain when it is on the bike or will I need to remove it to do this?

Can you recommend a good product for cleaning and lubricating the chain?

Also with regards to chain adjustment, how do I actually do this?

Thanks for any replies

Max

My thoughts - or what I do.  May not be the program for you but I have gotten 47,000 and 41,000 miles out of chains.

Tightened: Only with it needs it.
How Tight: Consult the owners manual - set it to the loose side of spec on the centerstand... chain will get slightly tighter on the side stand.
Cleaning: Minimum every 1,000 miles
Lubricated: Minimum every 300 miles - more is better
Procedure: Leave chain on bike - wipe or spray cleaner... blow dry (35 psi max.)... re-lube.
Cleaner: Kerosene
Lube: Gear oil or AFT - some folks like the Teflon lube (I ain't one of 'em) and others like the gunky no-fling crap that sandblasting can't get off.
Adjustment Procedure: Consult owners manual - see above for how I do it.
Chain Life: Widely varies - some get 10,000 miles, others much more.  Depends on how diligent you are in cleaning/lubing and how much dirt road / rain riding you do.  Change front and rear sprocket when replacing chain.

Hope this helps..... and yes, do a search for LOTS of different opinions.

[MaxBandit]

Thanks Txbandit

[Red01]

I'm pretty much with Tex.  I lube it every other tank of gas, which works out to ~300 miles.

I use Honda's spray lube in the red can.  (IIRC, the blue can is recommended more for dirt bikes.)  It's a low-fling lube, but it cleans up well with kero.  It has also rated highly in chain lube shootouts (one of those shootouts is copied on here from ~8 years ago.) It also comes in a large can you can leave at home and a small one that is easy to pack in a tank/tail bag for those times when you need to lube it on the road.  Easier to deal with that carrying ATF or gear lube on trips.

[txbanditrydr]

Easier to deal with that carrying ATF or gear lube on trips.

Not when you have a Loob-man installed.......     

[Red01]

As for the  guy, I didn't notice you mentioning a chain oiler in your reply. 

How long does that little Loobman bottle last?  Probably long enough for all but the hardest core travellers, but I'm curious.  I bought one a few years ago, but botched up the rod that mounts and points the nozzle, set it aside - and never got back around to figuring something out that wouldn't look quite so Rube Goldbergish.

[txbanditrydr]

A real long time....  Can't say I've ever clocked the mileage but a good guess would be 3,000+   It doesn't take a lot to set up a 1" long tube full, which is about what I try to dispense each time.  I've been playing with some custom mixes on the lube itself looking for the right flow speed.  Gear oil really works well but takes forever to reach the chain - wouldn't consider squeezing the bottle for anything under a 25 mile ride.  The ATF was my next step - activated quicker and did a great job of lubing and cleaning.  Plus, any drippings on the concrete (over use / short ride) evaporated in 24-48 hours.

My latest concoction is a 50/50 mix of ATF and WD-40 ( ) and it's perfect for the 10 mile commute to work.  On long trips I'll just give it a shot every 50-100 miles - about what I de-bug the face shield anyway.  One complaint by others is the tie-wrap feelers wearing out quickly but I get 15,000 - 20,000 miles of a set easily.  They do wear but the spring tension keeps them in contact with the sprocket.

If you haven't seen MY INSTALL THREAD check it out and maybe you can resurrect your rod mount.

[Red01]

That's a clean install!    I think the one I've got sitting around is like the one ldbandit76 had.  The clay bit sounds familiar, and mine didn't have the L-bracket (or flat stock that you bent) with the short double-eyed rod.  Instead it had a long aluminum rod you were supposed to bend in several spots to wrap around the swingarm and zip-tie in place, hence the Rube Goldberg comment.

Do you find the bottle location to interfere with putting the bike on the centerstand?

[txbanditrydr]

Do you find the bottle location to interfere with putting the bike on the centerstand?

Nope... but then again I use the Ren-Tech rack for a rear grab-bar. 

[Bandit1250]

ADVICE ON LUBING.......if you value your fingers DON'T lube the chain with the motor running!
Engine off in Nuetral and spin the back tire by hand as you lube. If you want a flingless lube, use MOTOREX 622 STRONG chain lube, it's the cleanest stuff I've ever found....and try to lube your chain AFTER a ride and let it sit overnight.