[Boozehound]

Hey guys(& gals). My chain seems to be binding due to immproper lube intervals. It's making noise In intervals as It goes around. I've got 11k+ mi. & want to replace it. Any suggestions on replacement chains with a master link? Or should I go with a "solid" OEM? Thanks.

 

[spooph]

a few things here....

1.) Welcome
2.) Make an intro thread if you haven't already with some pics of you and your bike
3.) Have you inspected the chain, and found 1 or 2 bad links?
4.) Have you properly adjusted it?

Sometimes you can "resurrect" a chain by cleaning it thoroughly with WD40 or simple green, adjusting it properly, riding it till it's hot and then shooting some new chain lube. If you have a bum link though, you will have to replace it....

so...

5.) when replacing a chain you SHOULD also replace the sprockets. They wear together and replacing just the chain OR the sprockets causes the replaced part to wear excessively fast.....

6.) To answer your original question - I've used a master link through 3 chain replacements.... If you want to buy the crimping tool for the solid link, go for it, but it's a bit of a pain... a 520 is overkill for a 250 anyway, so the master links tend to hold up very well.

 

[jfauerba]

My chain was about the same way as yours for same reasons with about 14K on it. One day I sat down and cleaned it really good with kerosene and then lube it real good. I had about 10 links that would not bend back in forth so I kept lue them and took my hand and bent it back and forth many times to loosen it up. After about a hour of this, I rode about 100 miles and did notice a lot less nose. A week later did the same thing. After about 200 miles the chain quit making noises and seems to be much better. I still have two links that are not just right.

 

[Boozehound]

Thanks for the reply spooph. I need to add pics & more info to my profile. I did lube the chain at intervals and recently cleaned it. But im afraid the lubes were to far apart & the cleaning came to late. I have saturated the chain several times to no avail. I'm afraid the patient is terminal. I will go with the master link chain. I have been thinking of going down a tooth on rear anyway; since i went up one on front, i jumped from 52 to 60mpg. I commute 125 mi. a day. 70 sounds pretty good right now.

 

[Boozehound]

Thanks for the info. I think for the time & money involved I'll replace chain & sprockets. I dont like walking Thanks again y'all

 

[spooph]

sweet, glad I could help! Best of luck!

 

[Navy Ninja]

Is there any kind of spray lube that I can buy at the local autozone for my chain? I don't have a bike shop where I'm at so it's hard to get.

 

[spooph]

you could WD40... Just order some Bel Ray Lithium grease chain spray. It's awesome stuff! And then don't overuse it. Just a light coat does dandy...

 

[Felix]

*shiver* WD40... nasty

Felix

 

[Zandit]

*shiver* WD40... nasty

Felix

Yeah, but it smells great!!!:ermm::whistling:

 

[Navy Ninja]

Guess I'll stop at the one bike shop here and see if they have any. I knnow they don't have anything in the shop for sale. They just do work on bikes so maybe they will have some to sell to me...

 

[spooph]

What's wrong with the WD40 Felix?

 

[Felix]

WD40 is a good stationary lubricant, levers, hinges etc... but isn't designed for high speed mechanics such as bearings, chains, pullys... Good for cleaning, rustproofing, water displacement, but won't do as good a job as a specifically designed lube.

My 2c

Felix

 

[spooph]

that's fair! as long as you don't ride in rain, I think it's better than anything else if you keep on it - the chain that is... Unfortunately nobody has time for that, so a more "sticky" lubricant is required, you are right.

 

[Felix]

Also, some of the chemicals in WD40 can strip away any good lube that is on there, and also I've 'heard' long term WD40 use can perish chain rubbers...

I'd use it for cleaning, and for emergencies, as anything is better than nothing... but long term, I'd just fork out for some chain orientated lube. Story goes, the white sticky stuff from the factory is the best. Just a bitch to clean!

Felix

 

[eric]

Read this (line e.)
Written on EK chain box.

 

[Blue Ghost]

Guess I'll stop at the one bike shop here and see if they have any. I knnow they don't have anything in the shop for sale. They just do work on bikes so maybe they will have some to sell to me...

Dupont Teflon Multi Use has gotten a few good reviews.
DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - webBikeWorld
Chain Lube... What Do You Use and Why?? - ninjette.org

 

[eric]

Read this (line e.)
Written on EK chain box.


ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[Navy Ninja]

I'll have to see if lowe's or walmart has any of the dupont teflon stuff. I know I need to lube the chain.

Thanks Blue.