Vstrom chain o ring or not question .

[Angus]

Is this an o ring chain or not . If so I believe that I don't need to lube it as its factory lubed for life right ? Just clean it off maybe with some petrol or turps ? But I hear turps can damage rubber and there may be rubber pieces in a chain, what's best to clean the dirt off safely ?
Not o ring then I can clean and lube the chain perhaps with the WD 40 stuff here ?
Thanks .

[Angus]

Closer view.

[Keith60]

It is an O Ring chain and the internal O Ring part of the chain is greased and at manufacture.  But the rest of the chain most definitely needs lubricant, both for the chain and the Sprockets.
Have a look at this link.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/advice/bike-maintenance/is-chain-lube-necessary

[Ianmc]

I find cheap paraffin on a rag is the best for cleaning chains.Then wipe it dry, then use whatever lube you like.Its not the amount of lube you put on it.Its doing it frequently that makes the chain and sprockets last the longest.IMO.

[TLPower]

Enjoy.

[mr_diver]

OEM chains will be O ring.

O Ring, X Ring or unsealed it doesn't matter what tube you use.

I used to sell it.

It comes down to brand preference.

I like silkolene and the spray lid on the can.

But I bought the Gorilla (Glue) branded one from Halfords last time as they are across the carpark from work - not again. It's banana scented. 

[kwackboy]

I'm happy to be wrong but I haven't seen an old o-ring type drive chain in years, I didn't think they were made anymore. 

Apart from smaller 420/428 pitch HD chains I thought every chain now is X-Ring... Is it not ?

Are manufacturers fitting O-ring as standard then ? 

[Brockett]

I clean the chain with paraffin using a brush and then after drying it I lube it with a little EP 90 gear oil or B&Q Chainsaw oil. All that needs lube is the "O" rings.
And, unfortunately, "lubricated and sealed for life" does not mean "last forever".

[sjrainsford]

Essentially you're lubing it to protect the outer and more importantly to lubricate where it is coming in contact with the sprockets.  The idea being to reduce chain to sprocket wear.  So lubricating is a must, no matter what type of chain.

[Brockett]

Yes SJ and that's why I say we should have totally enclosed chaincases (my Mk1 hobby horse)

[Rusty Nuts]

Fully enclosed chains, eh? That'll never catch on. You should have mentioned you were a fan.

[bonne]

Correct me if I am wrong... But the important thing to lube is the o-rings. Not sprockets. And the lubing of o-rings is in order to keep then moist do they will not dry out.

And this leads me to the YouTube link. I actually tried the motul c5, but I find it more complicated to get evenly applied to the o-rings. To much will go the rest of the chain and I have a feeling that the paste will not get to the same areas that the liquid oil will. But it is just me idea. I have really nothing to prove it with.

[Mr Nick]

I think the separation of the moving metal parts is the fundamental point of lubrication. If you were only applying to the o-rings then why did we oil them before o-rings came along? The o-rings are only there to keep the grease in the rollers.

[bonne]

Because then they needed oil since they were not oiled from factory

[Brockett]

I suggest folks here should read their bike's handbook and or download the appropriate service book from the downloads section published on this forum.

[bonne]

To clarify... The rollers should never glide on the sprockets. They is are supposed to roll (guess thereby their name). The oil from factory ensures they do and we oil the orings so the factory oil keeps doing the job. Otherwise... What is the need for orings?

I still lube all parts of the chain now and then, but just to keep it from corrosion.

I might be wrong... I am just chipping in with my understanding of the purpose of o-rings.

[Brockett]

So here's a funny thing...... Has anyone else noticed this changed procedure?
 In the AL2 DL650 service book it says use Kerosene to clean the chain.
In my 2018 SV650 handbook it shows "use water and neutral detergent to clean the chain" AND "do not use gasoline or kerosene as these could damage the "O" rings".
It seems that Suzuki has changed their recommended chain cleaning method at some time since 2012, assuming SV chains are about the same as DL chains.
The roller should have internal grease retained in place by the O ring (or X ring) the oil used for lubrication is to allow the O ring to slide between the rollers and the side plates as when they are dry they will wear and may tear. Also to smear oil on the side plates so they don't rust. I have never considered the need to oil the rollers but any lube on metal to metal contact is no bad thing.
Although Suzuki call it Kerosine  ... is that different spelling of Kerosene?? or different substance?

[Gert]

It could be that the composition of the grease has changed, due to cost saving?

[brettchallenger]

"Although Suzuki call it Kerosine  ... is that different spelling of Kerosene?? or different substance?"

 It is the same; kerosine tends to be used in scientific and industrial settings.  I call it paraffin.

[650alang]

Thought I'd chip in rightly or wrongly so forgive me, I've no intension to offend.
in my 35 years of biking, I have never 'cleaned' a chain. surely a detergent/solvent based product will be aggressive and attack the O or X ring. A decent chain lube at regular intervals has always proven spot on.
I do however, run a light oil over it, every 750 miles or so , wipe it off with a rag but other than that, nothing more, it maybe my riding style but chains last me decent mileage.