[davhut]

Anyone got an approximate grip on the life of a KLR chain, given what we all most do, a mix of pavement/dirt with continual cleaning and good lubes?
Does anyone carry full chain spares on long trips or links?

 

[Ogre]

I wiped mine out by 14,000 with no cleanings and lubes every 250-400 miles. The counter-shaft sprocket was the worse worn.

I don't carry squat, but my longest KLR trips were under 1000 miles.

 

[klrmike]

mine was gone @11,000,with regular maint.Kept it clean after off roadin and sprayed down with wd40 after cleaning

 

[DSjunky]

20,000 miles out of the first chain. But it looked fine, and I changed it only because the manual said to. I ride a gazillion miles out into the desert. Too far in the middle of nowhere to suffer a chain break due to not following maintenance recommendations.
I lube my chain every 200 miles, with a light saturation of WD40.

 

[Whitey]

I have 900 miles on my bike due to working too many hours to enjoy life. I went out yesterday and it has been sitting for about a month. My chain was rusted pretty badly with several links being really tight. I Put it on the lift and hosed it down with deep creep really well and let it sit overnight. Today I went out and sprayed it down again and worked each link by hand making them as good as possible. I then fired it up and put it in gear and let it idle on the lift and I held a wire brush against the chain on both sides and the top and bottom to clean it really well and then soaked it good with white lithium grease. My question is what is the best way to keep my chain lubed. I had cleaned it every 150 miles. The last time I rode it we had about 6 inches of snow and I rode it to work for a few hours and came home and just squirted abunch of wd-40 on it but didnt clean it really. I dont want to buy a chain because I did something wrong.

 

[klrmike]

I guess I should clarify my use of WD40. After riding and cleaning my chain when I get back and the bike is going to sit,that is when I spray the chain down with WD40. WD stands for water displacement. WD 40 does not lube a chain for riding,and will actually evaporate off of the o rings and chain,especially once it gets warm. I no longer run o ring chains on the klrs.But when I did,I use the white Lithium or PJs. The thing with PJs is you have to get your chain warm,then apply,then let it sit and "cure". Either way,PJs is messy.I now use the old style chain and keep it oiled heavily.Less drag and seems like quicker response. If your trying to keep a nice clean klr,this is not the way to go

 

[josbek]

I have 900 miles on my bike due to working too many hours to enjoy life. I went out yesterday and it has been sitting for about a month. My chain was rusted pretty badly with several links being really tight. I Put it on the lift and hosed it down with deep creep really well and let it sit overnight. Today I went out and sprayed it down again and worked each link by hand making them as good as possible. I then fired it up and put it in gear and let it idle on the lift and I held a wire brush against the chain on both sides and the top and bottom to clean it really well and then soaked it good with white lithium grease. My question is what is the best way to keep my chain lubed. I had cleaned it every 150 miles. The last time I rode it we had about 6 inches of snow and I rode it to work for a few hours and came home and just squirted abunch of wd-40 on it but didnt clean it really. I dont want to buy a chain because I did something wrong.

Well Whitey, I hate to have to tell you this but you may need to replace it sooner than you want. That wire brush thing may have done in your O rings. They are only rubber you know.

Never use a wire brush on O or X ring chains. Bad stuff.

Good luck.

John

 

[Whitey]

Ouch! I forgot about it having o-rings at the time. I am used to the old solid chains. Well I have learned less at a higher cost so I guess chalk that one up there.....lol Thanks.