chain lube and winterising

[chunkolini]

Ive not oiled a motorbike chain for about 8 years; but back on the road again.~
Im a committed fair weather biker, any hint of rain and I'll dump it in the hedge and get a taxi.
So chain lube? Ideally something that wont build up into the horrendous cacky mess I remember from the 80's.
It wont be fighting epic mileages in all weathers, just fair weather fannying about,
Any thoughts?
Bike was laid up last winter and hardly touched.
Fuel?
is it worth using the lower ethanol fuel? it survived last winter ok but did need a few pokes on the electric foot to wake it up. Its a Kawasaki W650 with carbs and kickstart as well as starter motor. But the old fool likes the kicker. Mileage is tiny so extra costs are minimal.
ACF50? I found a tin of it in a cupboard. is it just get the bike clean and spray it everywhere?
We are looking at a lovely mild winter with no rain
Honest

 

[Gareth J]

Just put a new chain on in spring?

 

[xstian]

If you’re using a X or O ring chain the lube is sealed in for life. So I only really use chain lube as a rust repellent. When I give the bike a proper wash, I clean the chain and reapply sparingly. I only really use bikes in the rain if I’m touring and then I reapply daily.

I use super unleaded in all my bikes if I know they won’t be used for a while. Not all super unleadeds are equal and they all contain some ethanol. Might be worth draining the float bowl on the carbs.

 

[Robotstar5]

I use this stuff.

 

[oldbikedavey]

ACF-50 is excellent, swab it on with a scruff of cotton rag , and it will work wonders.
Chain lube, I make my own....
Tallow, beeswax, and a slug of Rocol Anti- Scuff Paste.....
Immerse cleaned chain therein once melted, wait until bubbling has ceased, then hang up to drain and set.....
Proper stuff, that is.....

 

[Kram]

Squirty can of old engine oil. Every morning squirt the chain until its dripping - about 5 squirts. The excess oil will soon fling off and take the dirt with it, the chain will always look shiny and clean that way, also lasting forever.
An auto oiler would do the same thing. A chainsaw oil pump could make a good starting point for an oiler.

You'd better have Michellin Pilot Road 4 or 5's on the rear and preferably on the front too, they do not care for oil and will stick like poo to a blanket even in wet weather. Best road tyre there was, I dont know if they have improved it since then..
Pirelli's and Dunlops can get a bit spinny.

The unused edge of the tyre will get an oily buildup and with PR4/5 tyres, keeps them soft and still grippy. The chain guard and swingarm will be coated in a nasty thick coating of pure black rust preventative

Anyway that worked well for me, covering roughtly 100k miles on the cbr6.. and I wasnt riding particually slow.

 

[RichardM]

ACF50, spray on then use a paint brush to spread around the casings. Rag for the wheel rims, don't get on the tyres / brakes.
I have a Scotoiler so just turn it up a little to cope with the higher viscosity.

 

[Islander71]

Cannt get Super Unleaded fuel where I am, so use Lucas Fuel Conditioner with stabilisers on the final tankful of the season.

 

[tom2207]

acf50 is your friend ,,, not only on the chain but under tank , under seat and round the headstock , if fact

under arm and under anywhere else you fancy , prevents rust and seizing , rubber friendly and non flammable

and it even smells nice ,,, better than Brut Harry.

 

[dobbslc]

Yep ACF50 all over and super unleaded in the tank fully brimmed to keep as much air and hence moisture out.
Put the battery on and Optimate battery charger and cover it in old blankets.
My most recent pic of the TRX using the above treatment on it for the last 23 years.

 

[tom2207]

I normally throw some two stroke oil in the tank over winter too , let it run through the bike for a few mins ,,, in the belief hat if the fuel does dry out there will be oil left , now if it works or not I cant swear ,,, but I dont have any bother with it , so why go without.