Chain lube in Africa.

**jim** · #1 10 Jul 2004

Hello again,

I am still hanging about Addis trying to wean myself off the fantastic coffee and food. Soon i leave for Sudan.

I have just run out of Motul Aerosol chain Lube which is great stuff and now im trying to find something similar in Addis. Of course there is none here, all i can find is "penetrating oil", will this be ok on my o-ring chain? I know i could use engine oil but its so messy and in Sudan's sand i think it might make things worse.

Thanks
Jim

**Grant Johnson** · #2 11 Jul 2004

The last thing you want on an o-ring chain is penetrating oil!

The o-rings are designed to keep EVERYTHING out, including oil. Inside the o-rings is permanent grease.

The only reasons for oiling at all is to lubricate the side plates and pins outside the o-rings, and to prevent rust. Thinnest possible motor oil put on when the chain is hot, and allowed to cool, then all the excess wiped off with a rag is your best bet in most conditions given no proper o-ring chain lube. For lots of sand, wipe very thoroughly or run dry, only lubing occasionally.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Pedro Rocha** · #3 12 Jul 2004

So will a O-ring chain with rust preventive maintenance last longer than a conventional chain with proper lube?

**Geoff van de Merwe** · #4 13 Jul 2004

Jim,
I ran my o-ring chain dry from Tunisia all the way through to Ethiopia, only lubing once I started hitting the wetter Omo valley.
When I started to lube it I just used engine oil. That chain lasted me for almost 20 000km.
Geoff