2009 M696

[alibaba]

Is the stock chain an 'X' ring or an '0' ring.

I am a stranger to these new fangled inventions.  Do either or both of these
designs require chain lube?  If so, is Dupont Teflon chain lube appropriate for either?

[Smokescreen]

It doesn't really matter if it's an x-ring or an o-ring, but so you know, an x-ring looks a lot like an o-ring, but it you were to cut an x-ring, the cross-section of the ring would look like an x, rather than round.  So this means you've got seals that have four surfaces instead of two.

[Curmudgeon]

Probably "O-ring". It's in the back of your manual. Dupont Teflon multipurpose from Lowes is very popular on the DMF. You should probably lube and wipe ~ 200 miles. It's cheap and it cleans the chain too. Rubber gloves and Bounty towels or rags. Apply when warm just after a ride and give the chain a light wipe when you're done. It really flings very little if you do it right.

[Slide Panda]

FYI Dupont changed the formulas for 2012

Previously the blue or yellow cans were chain safe. Now only the yellow can is - unless you find older stock of blue cans - there's a difference on the labels that will let you know.

Details:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/dupont-motorcycle-chain-lube-2012/

X-ring chains tend to last a bit longer before they develop stiff spots due to the better seals provided by the x rings. But for any chain, maintenance is a really big factor. All chains need regular cleaning and lubrication. Failing to do so will radically shorten the life of your chain and sprockets. Keeping the chain clean and lubed will let a chain last a long time. On my 900 my chain had about 13,000 miles when I replaced it, and it could have gone longer. And the rear aluminum sprocket still had a klot of life to it too. I've seen poorly maintained Al sprockets chewed to fish-hooks in a few thousand miles.

[Curmudgeon]

FYI Dupont changed the formulas for 2012

Previously the blue or yellow cans were chain safe. Now only the yellow can is - unless you find older stock of blue cans - there's a difference on the labels that will let you know.

Details:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/dupont-motorcycle-chain-lube-2012/

Thanks for the heads up, Slide!

Bit confused now as the new blue cans still say they're o-ring safe and for motorcycles and ATVs. The stuff is so cheap and available, I'll continue to use it and maybe pick up a yellow can if I can find one. Don't recall seeing the Chain Saver in the yellow can at Lowes. Might check ACE on the way into Richmond to see whether they have any NOS waxy blue on the shelf.

If I were touring, which I'm not, THEN I might prefer something more substantial and messy. What about the Liquid Performance Motorcycle Chain Lube Webbike mentions? Gets mixed reviews from users. Is that in bike shops? I'm very rural, so any buy is a trek and linked with other errands.

[Slide Panda]

Bit confused now as the new blue cans still say they're o-ring safe and for motorcycles and ATVs. The stuff is so cheap and available, I'll continue to use it and maybe pick up a yellow can if I can find one. Don't recall seeing the Chain Saver in the yellow can at Lowes. Might check ACE on the way into Richmond to see whether they have any NOS waxy blue on the shelf.

The important bit is the can no longer reads "Dry, Wax lubricant" as the sub title - that's how to tell them apart. And it is probably o-ring safe, but it seems it's not the dry waxy stuff anymore

"[UPDATE: DuPont said that the Chain Saver product "is nearly identical in formulation and any differences you are seeing are purely attributed to when the can was filled during the production run. So our dry, wax formula is not gone, it has simply changed to a yellow can." "

So I guess it's time to hunt for the yellow cans.  If you can't get it in a store locally... there's always Amazon.