FOAK: Chain and Sprox

Nope. Depends on how it is used. Also depends on your definition of quickly.

It isn't a myth. It gets overstated, but the VOCs -can- damage the 'O'
rings. Depends what the seals are made of. Not a risk I take.

It cannot carry grit past unless the seal is compromised. It -can- get
behind the seal if the seal is compromised where it wreaks havoc with the
grease contained therein.

Correct with stars and underlined.

Exacerbated, not caused.

Right, chains. 'O' ring chains.

Firstly, the seals contain the grease within the rollers. If they allowed
the grease out, the roller inner would wear against the pin and the chain
will elongate. Chains do not stretch[1], they elongate due to wear twixt
roller inner and pin.

Chains are more complicated than most folk think. They have a number of
bearing surfaces. Sideplate to sideplate, sideplate to roller, roller to
pin and roller to sprocket.

An 'O' ring chain requires external lubrication on the seals and the roller
faces. If there is no lube film between the roller and sprocket, wear is
increased on the roller and thrust face of the sprocket.

Likewise, if there is no lube between the link plate mating faces, these can
wear, but that wear doesn't really bother us that much.

If the seals are dry, friction builds between the roller and link plate as
the roller rotates, and the link plate doesn't. The plate has a rocking
motion.

A very thin film of lube is all that is required here to keep the friction
levels right down.

Crud can be forced into the seal thrust face, this increases wear rapidly.
Crud can trapped on a roller, this increases wear. Crud can also be Iron
Oxide. Without a protective layer of oil, chains rust. Not always visibly,
but it is there. Rust is an excellent abrasive.

So, to look after a chain, it needs to be kept clean, and it needs to kept
lubed.

The best solvent I've ever found for cleaning chains is paraffin. Oddly,
that also is what the manufacturers recommend. Brush it on, leave for a few
minutes, brush some more on, then wipe down with a soft cloth.

Scottoilers work by keeping the seals clean and wet, the rollers clean and
wet and the sideplate inners clean and wet. They do this by flinging the
crud off in a thin film of oil. This oil film gets replaced et voila! a
scottoiler.

I've also used a Loobman on a few bikes. They work very well too and are
usefully cheaper than a scottoiler.

Chain oilers also work very well on non 'O' ring chains too, just use an EP
rated gearbox oil. Saves all the splitting, boiling in grease malarkey.


[1] I had that drummed in whilst doing engineering studies. 'Ever seen a
stretched sideplate?, no, and you're unlikely to either. The pins would
shear first'. Wether he was right or wrong, I've never been able, or
particularly disposed, to disprove him.

 

I have to do a lot of the "lighter" work, or when special tools are needed
myself. I just find dealers are too expensive and I have to watch the
pennies now. I will be removing the swingarm to de-rust it and clean up the
rear shock (a replacement might be needed). A fixed, as opposed to split
would be OK. I am considering changing the "new" rear sprocket for something
a bit larger so I can fool around on it. IYKWIM? Any suggestions?

 

Correct, of course, but the term 'stretch' is commonly used to denote
something which we've all seen happening and is a handy way of
describing it without being materially pedantic.

 

I agree with The Man With the Golden Taps.

I've only had to replace sprockets every 2nd or third chain on any
chain-driven bike I've had. Then again, I don't thrash them, so the
destructive forces at work are lower.

 

snip>

I won't fit one because in this weight obsessed World of high speed
motorcycles I don't want to go adding things that won't either make my
bike go faster or handle better.

I'd have to do a lot more miles than I currently do if I wanted to
justify a snotoiler.

 

Ooh, you little tinker. I'll have you know it was open about 34% on
the way home tonight! In the Rain! So ner.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..87918../..23274.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 00 Pts:0000 Miles:0000

 

Can't fault their service: it arrived this morning.

It's very shiny.

The rear sprocket appears to be made out fresh air, it's so light.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..87918../..23274.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 00 Pts:0000 Miles:0000

 

that's what I liked about BCP - very quick and no nonsense.

it's all relative.

 

I need to pay him a visit. My chain is utterly fucked, I really should
try and take a little more care of my chains, I think I only got about
10 or 12 thousand miles out of this one.

 

You've normally smashed the bike up by then, so you're doing well.

 

Heh, you cheeky ****. I have crashed it during that time, but managed
to avoid fucking in up too much.

 

<suspicious>

Only the other night you were saying how it was *ages* since you'd
crashed and that you actually had a couple of years of no claims bonus
on your insurance and a clean licence.

Is there something you forgot to tell me dear?

<leaves suspicious mode on> <actually I think it's the default option
for women>

 

I said crashed properly. And I have TPFT, the other vehicle was
undamaged, so there was no claim to make.

Not that I can think of. Do pay attention, dear.

<nods>

 

How do you differentiate between 'crashed' and 'crashed properly'?

EMNTK.

This the radiator incident?

Oooo. Coming from you that's rich.

Wise move.

 

It's the difference between "fucked" and "propper fucked", simple
distinction.

That's the one.

I always pay attention, just not always to what you're saying.

 

So nice to see the Pip and Lozzo show has opened a Derby branch ;-)

 

Paying attention

They've not had a knock about comedy posting session for ages. I feel
deprived.

At least we can post from separate houses.

 

We can (as now), but we were sat next to each other last night.

 

Shush you.