I just bought my first bike and i was curious how often and what kind oil should i use to oil my drive chain. Also what is a good rule of thumb of how much slack should be in the chain.

Travis

 

I checked a EX250 manual, says 5000km for inspection. Personnally, that is not enough. I will re-oil after a good ride of 200 miles or so. Clean when I see a need to. Think my 10r chain recommendations are similar to all rides, 30-35mm.

 

Relube it about every 500 miles (about once a week) which is also a good time to check your chain slack. My general rule of thumb is that when the chain can be pushed up into the bottom of the swingarm too easily, should be tightened. With the chain tensed properly, it should still come into contact with the swingarm, but should require a fair amount of force to do so. (This is with the bike on the centerstand.)
And for chain lube, I like the Honda stuff, but you can use any kind of spray lube: Bel Ray, Maxima, PJ1, Motul, etc.

First give the chain a heavy dousing with the lube, spraying both sides of the rollers. Then use up at least one paper towel wiping off all that lube, (this gets much of the existing dirt & grit off the chain). Then give it one final squirt on both sides of the roller pins, as a light coat. Wait at least 20 minutes before going for a ride, or else that liquid chain lube will be more likely to fly off and get on your bike, muffler, pants.

I usually change the chain and sprocket set, wether they need it or not, after 25,000 miles. When the chain starts to develop tight spots, that loose-tight-loose action is harder on the drive sprocket gasket and the drivetrain as a whole. It's much easier to change the chain/sprocket set twice, than it is to crack the engine cases once to replace a darn drive shaft gasket.
Good luck and ride safely.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

ive noticed that i have much better luck oiling my chain after i get it nice and hot, put the bike on the center stand in neutral and spin the tire while you spray the chain. im using maxima racing oils chain wax, thats what the dealer recommended when i asked and so far it looks like its working great... the chain soaks it up niiice :-) and like they said im doing it every 300 miles or so

 

Lube the chain when it's hot, adjust it when it's cold.

 

I had heard that too, but I do it slightly differently. All chain lubes are primarily composed of a mixture of lubricate (a grease or oil) and solvent (to make it flow and penetrate into tight spaces like the chain rollers.)
Spraying the lube on the chain when it is warm will certainly cause the already volatile solvent to evaporate more quickly and leave a nice heavy coat of lubricant on the chain.
BUT, I also use the lubricant/solvent to liquify the old lube already on the chain, so more of the dirt & grit are suspended and therefore wipe off with the paper towel. THEN spraying one final coat on the chain. This is only my speculation and method and not the end-all-be-all.
IMO, simply adding more lubricant to the dirty lube already on the chain is not enough. If someone has a rational argument or opinion suggesting that my way is not as effective, I'd be very interested to hear it (without getting combative of course.)
Thanks for the conversation and Peace!
-CCinC

 

I also use the Honda chain lube, and I like it, but to prep the chain I use WD-40 and an old t-shirt to clean it; then I put on the lube. So far so good...

 

i'm supprised more aren't using wax based chain lube.. it was a big improvement when it came out for mountain bikes because the wax would shed the dirt and grime rather than attract it like most lubricants do. it kept the chain clean longer

 

Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant one of the many possibilities. It's O ring safe.

 

i learned a lesson from my buddie years ago. he did not take care of his chain and one day it was so loose that it slapped up and got caught in the sprockets and high sided him, throwing him into a telephone pole. toataled the bike and messed him up bad. so now im **** with my chain.