I cleaned and lubricated my chain about 100 miles ago. Since then, I've taken 2 or 3 short rides (~12 miles each ride) and last night went for a 60 mile ride. I noticed today that there's a thick black oil (almost like tar) on the chain. I did park it next to a lawn where the sprinklers came on and a little water go on the left side of the bike, but I wouldn't think water would do this to a chain. Has anyone else seen this black oil on their chain?
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/ducati_monster/public/chain2.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/ducati_monster/public/chain3.jpg)
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q7/ducati_monster/public/chain1.jpg)
Looks fine to me.
You don't need that much lube though.
+1 on looks fine.
The outside of the links don't need to be covered in lube. Just make sure that the O-rings are lubed. When I lube up the chain, I just make sure it's warm and then focus the spray into the O-rings between the links. After I've done that, I scrub the chain clean with a rag and get rid of the excess lube. I only spray the outside of the links as a way of cleanin' 'em. You'll get a lot less fling that way.
Thanks. It's my first time lubing it, so I guess it just turns black after being ridden. I did warm up the chain before I cleaned and lubed it. I'll ease of on the amount applied next time.
Check out Chris Kelley's (ca-cyleworks.com, a DMF sponsor and awesome vendor) short video on chain lubing:
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/ (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/)
Bikes thrashed - totally done.. I'll take it off your hands for $1 ;D
The black stuff is just chain lube + dirt (probably mostly brake dust). Basically all the chain lubes you get at the moto store will do this to one degree or another. But, a trip to lowes will solve that problem. Go there and get a can of Dupont Multi-Use Teflon in a blue spray can. It's for chains, then even make a version for moto chains (yellow can, not available at Lowes). It's a proper lubricant wax once dry and collects very little dirt and has zero fling. Bonus, is it's $5 a can, which is cheaper than any other chain lube I've seen. Works great everyone I know how has tried it won't go back to other lubes
More info:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/dupont-teflon-chain-saver/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/dupont-teflon-chain-saver/)
Quote from: Spidey on August 03, 2009, 03:51:07 PM
Check out Chris Kelley's (ca-cyleworks.com, a DMF sponsor and awesome vendor) short video on chain lubing:
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/ (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/)
+1 for sure...followed the directions from the video, no problem at all with my chain. It looks and runs great. [thumbsup]
that is completely normal chain oil that appears and grime with use.
just keep using the chain wax and such every 200-350 miles of use and you will be fine.