Chain rusting frequently?

[TekNinja81]

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Just wanted to get some quick input from fellow riders. Trying to determine what's causing the below problems.

The chain on my '05 V-Strom is getting coated with what looks like rust, or a rust-coloured substance on a frequent basis lately. This happens despite the fact I haven't been riding through any wet/poor conditions, dirt or etc, and I've only really been having the issue over the past couple of weeks.

The first thing I'm wondering, though it doesn't personally make sense to me, is whether this could be a sign of a worn out chain?

Another thought: Up until now (so for about 2 years so far) I'd been using Tirox chain cleaner (the one that comes with the coiled chain brush) or just regular kerosene in a spray bottle. I recently picked up Motul chain cleaner, as it was more convenient with the built-in nozzle and fits in my tool tube better. I almost always use Maxima chain wax, but do occasionally use Belray instead. I know the Belray stuff has a good rep, but what about Motul's cleaner? I noticed it lists propane & other chemicals, where Tirox is mostly just kerosene and maybe a few additives.

One thing I was told recently, was that my chain seemed *very* dry, despite the fact I had just cleaned it 2 days prior. This was indeed using the Motul cleaner, but my usual Maxima chain wax.

I suspect the chain cleaner may be the culprit, but why would it be causing this rust/rust-coloured byproduct when the chain is regularly lubed after using it? Otherwise, what might be the problem here?

 

[matthew]

I might be wrong, but it could be a sign your chain is shot. If you lube it often and the red stuff is still on the chain, I think its the internal stuff in the links leaking past the O rings.

 

[smergy]

I use maxima, never had an issue with it, always been good. Tad on the gummy side, but better than a rim/tire full of something slippery

 

[frekeyguy]

Were you the one that purchased this bike from GP?

Rust = bad for chains, depends on how bad it is....the chain might not last too much longer....

Lube is lube....if you using a solvent to clean it....are you applying enough Lube (oil or wax based) to cover the exposed area? Is this a O-Ring chain or a open chain?

 

[mongol777]

Kerosene is best to clean and safe for chains. Cheap too - at any CT in camping section. Just buy a spray bottle and refill when needed.
I say take chain off, soak it in kerosene overngiht, rinse, put on, warm it and lube it and see if rust comes back.

 

[Twisted Wrister]

I use Wurth Saebesto every 2-3 tanks of gas. I never clean my chain. I ride regardless of bad weather and park outdoors.
I had some light surface rust on the exposed sections once after I parked it outside for a few weeks this winter. Sprayed it, drove to work and back, sprayed again. Except for that one morning, it looks clean, shiny, and like new all the time.
I've adjusted the tension one notch once in the past 11000km (bike's got 21k and never been adjusted - bought it at 10) but I probably only had to do that because sometimes I, like everybody with a 1000cc I-4, like to drive like a total dildo for a couple minutes occasionally.
You sound like you're giving it a lot of diligent care and attention, way more than me, so either there is something strange and wrong with your chain or there is something wrong with what you're using and how you're taking care of it. My chain should look like a nightmare compared to yours.

 

[Don.]

how old is the chain?
all my chains have ended like this.

 

[omnivore]

Often, dryness between the pins and rollers inside the chain, after the orings are toast and internally the chain is unlubed anymore, a red dust (ground up rust) is commonly covering the chain, regardless of whether you are currently lubing it externally or not. Probably chain time.

 

[Wingboy]

Sounds like a chain that was neglected and then lubed bringing out the rust from the neglect.Pull on the chain at the very back of the sprocket.If you can see 1/2 a tooth or more,it's done.

 

[toysareforboys]

I use Wurth Saebesto every 2-3 tanks of gas. I never clean my chain. I ride regardless of bad weather and park outdoors.

I lube every other tank of fuel as well, with this stuff (Dupont Teflon Multi Use spray). I've never cleaned any chain I've ever owned, ever. My chain rusts like a mofo! I live in a bad spot, in a valley, super heavy dew like every morning, if you leave any tool out overnight it'll be a pile of rust in the morning

I did 42,000km's on my stock R6 chain and it looked rusted to bits but when it was swapped (for 520/new gearing) the shop said it was in excellent condition.

-Jamie M.

 

[infernobuster]

Yep, i use the Dupont Teflon multi lube stuff, and works great. Goes on clear, and does fling or allow anything to cling to it.

 

[daught]

My chains always rust. It's my fault, I seldom lube it. Every time I lube my chain I end up wit ha rear wheel full of PJ1. Psychs me out. I use fluid film other bike parts for water protection in spring/fall. When I used it on my chain it was even worse than PJ1. Maybe I will give the teflon stuff a try. For non moving parts how would it compare to fluid film for rust protection?

 

[TekNinja81]

To answer a few questions:

Were you the one that purchased this bike from GP? ... are you applying enough Lube (oil or wax based) to cover the exposed area? Is this a O-Ring chain or a open chain?

Indeed, as per my post in the Reviews section, I bought the V-Strom from GP back in November. I'm definitely using enough chain wax (if anything I may overlube the chain sometimes)... it's likely the original, O-ring chain that should've come with the bike, but hard to say for sure.

how old is the chain?

I would probably be safe to assume it's still the original chain, but as mentioned above, hard to say. The bike is an '05, and has now just over 30,000km on it.

Often, dryness between the pins and rollers inside the chain, after the orings are toast and internally the chain is unlubed anymore, a red dust (ground up rust) is commonly covering the chain, regardless of whether you are currently lubing it externally or not. Probably chain time.

Sounds like a chain that was neglected and then lubed bringing out the rust from the neglect.Pull on the chain at the very back of the sprocket.If you can see 1/2 a tooth or more,it's done.

This sounds rather unsettlingly like what is probably happening to my chain. As was mentioned, my mechanic warned me that my chain was very dry, and this was a short while after having cleaned & lubed the chain. The chain does pull away from the rear of the sprocket a bit, but I'll need to doublecheck tomorrow before work just how much. That said, would this not also happen because the chain is not sufficiently tightened? Though that shouldn't be the case, as it was recently adjusted.

Ugh. All of this is leaving me with a very bad taste in my mouth...

 

[V-Tom]

You might have the dreaded "red dust of death" that is caused when the lube inside the O-rings drys up. If so your chain will be toast shortly if it isn't already.

Stop wasting time cleaning the chain, but lube (ideally with Wurth HHS2000) with every tank of gas and after every ride in the rain. Doing so had my last chain (on my 2006 DL650 V-Strom) last almost 80,000 km; and I ride in rain, dirt roads, salt covered roads, etc on a regular basis.

..Tom

 

[jc100]

Is it a gold colored chain by any chance? I recently changed my chain for a gold colored one and in a moment of madness the other day I forgot and thought my whole chain had gone rusty.

 

[AF4iK]

Is it possible that the front sprocket has rust that's rubbing off on the chain? The other answers here sound more plausible but just trying to think of another possibility...

The chain does pull away from the rear of the sprocket a bit, but I'll need to doublecheck tomorrow before work just how much. That said, would this not also happen because the chain is not sufficiently tightened? Though that shouldn't be the case, as it was recently adjusted.

I've never heard of this chain test. Will try it tomorrow. I assume the chain is pulled from the rear of the sprocket because the adjacent links are secured by the teeth which ensures you're gauging the integrity of the link and not the overall chain tension/stretch.

 

[TekNinja81]

You might have the dreaded "red dust of death" that is caused when the lube inside the O-rings drys up. If so your chain will be toast shortly if it isn't already. Stop wasting time cleaning the chain, but lube (ideally with Wurth HHS2000) with every tank of gas and after every ride in the rain. Doing so had my last chain (on my 2006 DL650 V-Strom) last almost 80,000 km; and I ride in rain, dirt roads, salt covered roads, etc on a regular basis.

I was actually hoping you might chime in on this thread, given the mileage you've gotten out of your V-Strom/chain. Given the nature of this problem, and the fact my chain was ungodly filthy when I picked up the bike, I am really beginning to believe that my chain is indeed ruined. I'm surprised I've put the 6,500KM on it I have since purchasing the bike, without more issues, given the problems I've recently had. Now wondering if perhaps I need to take issues to GPbikes on a more serious note, but at the same time fully aware much of this is my own fault for not knowing better to check for such problems...

On a sidenote, where in the GTA can I find this Wurth HHS2000 stuff?

Is it a gold colored chain by any chance? I recently changed my chain for a gold colored one and in a moment of madness the other day I forgot and thought my whole chain had gone rusty.

Nope, standard grey/silver-ish coloured chain, nothing fancy. That sounds funny though.

Is it possible that the front sprocket has rust that's rubbing off on the chain? ... I assume the chain is pulled from the rear of the sprocket because the adjacent links are secured by the teeth which ensures you're gauging the integrity of the link and not the overall chain tension/stretch.

Going to be removing my front sprocket cover tomorrow to take a closer look, both to determine if this is the problem and/or if the sprocket is worn significantly... and yes, that sounds like a solid reasoning for that test method, though I myself am not entirely sure either.

 

[V-Tom]

On a sidenote, where in the GTA can I find this Wurth HHS2000 stuff?
....

I know that Rosey Toes sells it. Beyond that I don't know. My work uses it so I get it there but they don't sell it retail.

..Tom

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Your chain is toast, time for a new one.

 

[Ikan]

I experienced this for the 1st time last summer. I keep my chain well lubed and even ensure I get a bit on every single 'O ring'.

However, one day 800 kms from home I noticed my chain had sections of about 8 - 10 links that looked completely rusty red. When I had started out in the morning the chain was normal and lubed. My mechanical backgroumd suggested to me that the chain had gotten very hot and was lacking lube.

My conclusion was that some of the 'O rings' had become dried out and/or the internal lube was no more along for the ride.

So I lubed everything and rode the 800 kms home. About an hour later the chain was basically back to a normal colour.

I replaced the chain immediately afterwards.
I never found a tight link.

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