Marking links on endless chains
08-11-16, 04:16 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 184
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Marking links on endless chains
How do you know when to finish oiling your chain on a chain without a noticably different joining link?
I think that when I oil a chain that I must give each link 2-3 times the attention necessary because I dont know when to quit.
I think that when I oil a chain that I must give each link 2-3 times the attention necessary because I dont know when to quit.
08-11-16, 05:51 AM
#4
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,939
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 973 Post(s)
Liked 511 Times
in
351 Posts
Yeah, one small drop per roller, so I like to know when to stop. I use a bit of electrical tape stuck on a link plate. (I usually have some small trim pieces left over when I'm installing handlebar tape, so I stick them on the workbench to use later.) I just wipe the link with the rag or paper towel, and the tape stays on.
I've forgotten to remove the tape, and it's still there after vigorously wiping the excess lube and doing a few rides. I suppose you could leave it on "permanently"!
I've forgotten to remove the tape, and it's still there after vigorously wiping the excess lube and doing a few rides. I suppose you could leave it on "permanently"!
Last edited by rm -rf; 08-11-16 at 05:56 AM.
08-11-16, 06:32 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Cluj Napoca
Posts: 94
Bikes: FOCUS BLACK RAIDER 2.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I do not worry about going over a chain several times.
Though, I guess after a while you should notice if a link has already been oiled. If not, your oiling technique should be improved
Though, I guess after a while you should notice if a link has already been oiled. If not, your oiling technique should be improved
08-11-16, 06:44 AM
#6
Mechanic/Tourist
I lube with the chain on large chainring, which is 48 teeth. As my chain is 108 links that means 2 1/4 revs of the cranks.
08-11-16, 07:12 AM
#7
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,328
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 990 Times
in
522 Posts
put a twisty tie from a loaf of bread on one link.
__________________
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
08-11-16, 07:14 AM
#8
Senior Member
I tie a piece of heavy cotton string on the starting point of the chain with a simple overhand knot. Works like a champ. I also use the same for cleaning my freewheels. No need to buy that "Floss" when a big ball of string is a buck and works just as good or better maybe. I like tools that do more than one thing. Heavy cotton string works well for a number of other cleaning uses also. Bottom bracket crank area, axles, etc.
08-11-16, 07:57 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Maybe I'm too lazy but oiling a chain one drop at a time is way too time consuming. I wipe the chain clean by running it through a rag and then dribble a continuous stream of lube over the chain while turning the crank backwards. About 2-1/2 crank revolutions gets the entire chain. I allow the solvent to evaporate and wipe off the external excess.
08-11-16, 08:22 AM
#11
Banned
Chain use Quick link ? its not endless.. wipe off the excess,
Its the penetrating amount that is functioning lubricant, the rest just attracts dirt.
Its the penetrating amount that is functioning lubricant, the rest just attracts dirt.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-11-16 at 08:28 AM.
08-11-16, 08:24 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,083
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 5,513 Times
in
2,856 Posts
On the bicycle, I always have a SRAM/KMC link, so no issue.
On the motorcycle, I grab an orange grease pencil from the toolbox, and mark one link.
On the motorcycle, I grab an orange grease pencil from the toolbox, and mark one link.
08-11-16, 08:26 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 113
Bikes: Specialized Crux Expert Evo, Felt DA, Surly Crosscheck, Divvy
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've put a dab of paint on the outside of a link with a Q-tip. It stays on for quite some time and is easy to see. Sure it gets a little dirty but that gives it character plus it is not that big anyways.
Jon
Jon
08-11-16, 08:43 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18373 Post(s)
Liked 4,508 Times
in
3,351 Posts
08-11-16, 08:49 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18373 Post(s)
Liked 4,508 Times
in
3,351 Posts
When installing a new chain, I sometimes put in a few scratches from a file into the top side of the plates around the pin I put in. So, if I break the chain or something, I'll know if it was due to an installation error.
For lubing, however, I normally just try to keep track of wet/dry spots on the chain, or I'll lube until I get tired of lubing, and assume I'm done.
For lubing, however, I normally just try to keep track of wet/dry spots on the chain, or I'll lube until I get tired of lubing, and assume I'm done.
08-11-16, 09:01 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,901
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,928 Times
in
1,210 Posts
Three backwards spins on big ring, four on middle ring.
Or look for the quick link if I'm individually oiling links (Chain-L).
Or look for the quick link if I'm individually oiling links (Chain-L).
08-11-16, 09:12 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Stick a small hunk of tape (any kind electrical, masking, duct, transparent) on the side of a clean chain. Oil link-by-link and pin-by-pin. When it comes back around... you're done.
08-11-16, 09:28 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I generally use my quick link. If the bike doesn't have a quick link I just count. Chains on my bikes are generally around 108 pins, so I'll go a few past that and call it done.
08-11-16, 03:10 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: La La Land (We love it!)
Posts: 6,301
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
Whew, and I thought I was OCD...
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
08-11-16, 04:46 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,706
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5779 Post(s)
Liked 2,576 Times
in
1,427 Posts
Maybe I'm too lazy but oiling a chain one drop at a time is way too time consuming. I wipe the chain clean by running it through a rag and then dribble a continuous stream of lube over the chain while turning the crank backwards. About 2-1/2 crank revolutions gets the entire chain. I allow the solvent to evaporate and wipe off the external excess.
Except that I run a very thin stream and go around the chain 2-3 times, which ensures that though I may not be applying perfectly evenly, no links will be missed entirely. Then, since the stuff I use flows like molasses, I wait a while before wiping off the excess.
Total time is a minute or less to apply, then later on, 2 minutes or so to wipe off the excess.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-11-16, 05:02 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Ask your doctor if Paxil is right for you.