Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, was just wondering what chain lube you all use on your bikes? The reason I ask is, the last few days I have been using the Enfield for commuting. I have lubed the chain every time because it has rained heavily on my way home. My commute is only 14 miles each way and I'm suprised to see the chain is dry again. It's not a cheap lube either, but it is a couple of years old though

If you have a non O ring chain I would boil it up in Putoline Chain Wax. This is the equivalent of the old Link Lyfe which is no longer available. It really gets into the rollers where it's needed. I think they do a spray for top up between treatments. Word of warning, don't get it on your hands when it's hot! Don't ask (

I didn't realise you could still get boil up chain lube. I remember be told off by my granny many years ago for stinking the house out with it.
I will have to find some locall

Hi Davie. Great you're still commuting with your Enfield. I experimented with a whole range of stuff over the years I ran my Electra X. In the end I stuck with Putoline boil in the tin chain wax. This seemed to offer the longest lasting lubing properties, and was definitely the best in protecting the chain from the adverse effects of winter road grit, although the salt eventually breaks this down too. As I now ride the shaft driven Guzzi V7, I have no use for the half tin I still have. Come and pick it up if you're perchance Consett way.

I do about a 100miles a week commute/play because I get it free via Work I wipe the Chain Down with WD40 & Oil it with 3in1 about Once a Week ..I Buy a New Chain every one to Two years usually the Cheapest one on Offer on this Site..At Present by Luck I am Running an O Link One...My Only Tip is a Slack Chain is Better than a Too Tight One,(I Have Broke a Link one or five times with Pot holes etc usually the Split Link),,And Oil over a dirty chain is better than non at all : IMHO (Over the Last 20 Years!) .. ;0)

I used to use a mixture of grease and oil applied with a paint brush, but found it was too messy, so now I have started using WD40 chain wax? Seems to do the job.

My crankcase breather exits onto my chain, I've never needed to lubricate it.

I don’t see any point in using anything other than a modern spray type chain lube. For my money the boiling a chain is a filthy time-consuming redundant method. Semi-synthetic and synthetic type chain sprays are ideal. They use solvents and propellants to reduce the viscosity of the lubricant, the strong capillary action of the lubricant in this state will enable it to creep and penetrate the inner rollers. Then (and I hope you’re all paying attention still!) as the solvents evaporate the lubricant sets and clings to the chain to resist fling. Result? Clean, simple, fast, effective lubrication of drive chain.

I have a Tutoro automatic chain oiler on mine, which I fill with gear oil. Works very well, but you have to remember to keep a vague eye on the chain because sometimes the nozzle blocks up with road crud.

I use Tutoro as well it does not need electric or vacuum works off vibration which makes it ideal on an Enfield