White lightning on a motorcycle chain?
 

Sorry for asking this, but I guess a bike is still a bike...:o

I'm just wondering... I like WL so much that now I'm thinking about using it for my Suzuki SV650 drive chain... Anybody had any experience using this stuff for something else than a bicycle?

Thanks!
BFD

A motorcycle has just a bit more load than a bicycle chain. Your SV650 chain is also an O-ring chain, which is different from a bicycle chain and may require different lube properties. There are wax type lubes made specifically for motorcycles, why not try one of those instead? With the price of modern motorcycle chains, I wouldn't risk using a lube that doesn't specifically say it is intended for the application.

Ya, that's what I think... Right after hitting submit, I was thinking 'now THAT is a stupid question!' :o I would imagine the amount of stress makes it a totally different environment... Damage to the O-ring is also a concern as you said...

Stress aside, the milage on a motorcycle is far grater than a bike.I lube my bike chain every 36 to 54 miles. I've had three chain-drive motorcycles since '58 and a shaft drive. I would never use WL on a motorcycle.

Shaft drives are so nice and so quiet. I'd never go back to chain.

Al

Most motorcycle-chain grease is much thicker and more viscous than bicycle chain grease, precisely because of the higher loads and rpm's.

I solved the whole chain lube thing by selling my Kaw and buying a Harley. The belt final drive doesn't require any lube. It also saves me money on lube and chains, which is made up for by a new monthly payment I incurred. LOL

Seriously, best to go with what the mfg recomends as far as chains go. They are getting expensive to replace. Good luck

Tim

PJ1 for your MC :)

Modern o-ring chains really don't need much in the way of lube. They're lubed from the inside and only need a little lube on the outside to prevent rust. I run an oring chain on my Harley and I get about 50k miles out of a chain and maybe lube it twice during that period. I converted from belt drive as I used to drag race my bike and the chain is lighter and much stronger than a belt. 140+ rwhp tends to shred belts.

That being said, I've experimented with m/c chain lube on bicycles. It works and it lasts a long time, but it's really gummy and messy. If you ride in the rain a lot and/or don't care if your drivetrain looks like a mess all the time, it might work for you. I went back to White Lightning and cleaning/relubing the chain every couple hundred miles.

Az

Motorcycle chains do need lube to prevent wear between the chain and the sprocket. At the track, a lot of guys use gear oil. Run it on the lower rung of the chain, then wipe off the excess.

O-ring chains such as on you SV 650 only need enough "lubrication" to keep corrosion off the link plates, and the outside of the rollers plus keeping the o-rings happy . There is already grease inside the pin and rollers and it is kept there and protected by the 0-rings. Some of things that people do that damage O-rings are pressure washing and using a lub that is not compatible with the O-ring material. Not sure if any of the bicycle products will damage the O-ring, but why take the chance? Although, older MC chain lub is a heavy & gummy & dirt attracting. The newer stuff like "chain wax", leaves a protective coating that looks and feels and repels dirt just like WL.

If your intention is to clean the gunk off the chain, please be careful not to do anything that will damage the O-rings.

GSF-1200
Hurricane 600
Duke 620

Hey, thanks for all the comments!
I actually got a response from WL this morning.
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I’d say no – my limited experience is that it doesn’t last and film strength is too low – an o-ring chain that some advertise as needing no lubricant – and in fact warn against using certain lubes on due to possible deteriation of o-ring material and thus allowing of factory lube to escape… I’d be worried about deteriating the o-rings… Bottom line – ‘not recommended’...
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Just like what you were discussing. Case closed!

Well, many thanks again!

SV650 is a bicycle. not really a real motorcycle so you might be good with WD40.
and yes I know this thread is 7 yrs old. HOLLA !!!

if old bumps are bad, then put something in the software to not allow bumps for threads older than a certain age.

motorcycle lubes are meant to withstand high temperatures, use that

I'm guessing you never raced one then. Way to really bring the annoying on your very first post.