Last rode the 848 about 2 weeks before Xmas before the monsoons arrived. It went in the garage dry.... Just after new year I had the garage door open and noticed that the back tyre was wet so assume the rain had been blown up under the door or down the side or something. Then noticed that the chain has surface rust on it. A lot and all round the chain.... Have ridden bikes forever, in the wet, put away wet but never had one have any rust certainly not when it was put away dry. Currently being doused in WD40 until I can wheel the bike out and have a good clean off.... Are these OEM ones rubbish???
Interestingly this is something I have read on UKGSER especially on F800GS', mine has done 12,000 miles, no significant wear on chain or sprockets.
When I had my 848 back in 2010 it was returned after it's first service. They must have road tested it in the winter wet. I put it away for a few weeks and the next time I looked the chain was bright orange and the rear sprocket nuts were discoloured. It took my a while to remove it all with all sorts of stuff including Scottish bright. My garage at the time was separate from the house and was always cold, I used to have to cover the chain in the thick white factory line chain wax to protect it over winter.
I think the wet back tyre even though the bikes in the garage is a salt thing, has happened to all mine over the years but only during winter, leave it a week in cold garage after a winter ride and the chicken strips and the under tray will have beads of condensation on them, likewise the chain I guess if it was slightly over cleaned and slightly underlubed? Condensation + steel = rust as has been mentioned above. OEM on mine is DID who I've always rated.
Where did this fetish for immaculate chains come from? It wasn't heard of in the 70's 80's or 90's, it's only a recent phenomena. Now it seems you're subhuman unless you have a chain you can eat your dinner off. Stuff that, I'd rather spend my energy riding the bloody thing.
I got about 18,000 out of my OEM chain on the 848, Desmo chain is about the same now, and the replacements I went with were OEM for the same reason. The second OEM one on the 848 developed a stiff link, but cured that with some penetrating lube. But I do ride in all weathers, and I lube my chain well, but certainly not every time it gets wet. They often get put away wet. There is little you can do about very superficial surface rust, but lube it up and wipe it down, it will not affect performance in any way. Deep rust is another matter. I think that the OEM chains are good, can't remember the manufacturer. I have DID on one of them now, and a Renthal (I believe) on the other. They are about the same as the OEM.
Good to know its not just a crap chain. Just didn't expect it on a 6 month old bike..... Will have to get the bike out and have a good go on the chain.
My 1198 is due for replacement before the riding season starts. Its the OEM chain. Its done ~10k. Its not rusty. It has seen rain nr bellegard in france like you would not believe last year. Has been ridden when wet and has just had a paraffin clean and lube regularly. No more or less than normal for a lazy bloke but its been done nonetheless. I don't clean with wire brush. Paraffin and nylon brush. Its not been an issue.
i recon your garage is shoite and is cold and damp, plus i recon your chain maintenance is crap too ………...
Garage is normally fine. And I lube the chain with Wurth every couple of rides. Must have been the freak wind and rain.... How ya doing anyway Andy? Long time no see....
Hi Ozzy, Chains aren't the best and i've noticed that chains rust alot quicker these days if left alone for a week or so. Didn't have this issue when i rode on a daily basis but now, they seem to rust like no other. However, with a Gold chain, it doesn't happen or hasn't happened so far.
In the vast majority of instances if your chain is rusty, youve not maintained it. After all the lube is there to protect it. That said, I am sure there will be exceptions to this rule. During the riding season my bike is cleaned every week. I also clean the chain and relube. Sometimes i miss a week or so. But I still lube it.
I see quite a few with light rust on them, and without fail they are 'clean' whereas the chains that are visibly greasy/oily hold up much better. I put this down to 'dry' lubes. I know they're popular cause they don't fling etc. but personally I don't rate them one bit. As well as corrosion issues, the links and sprocket teeth get polished which can only be down to friction. A well applied 'proper' chain lube will still give minimum fling and look after the chain and I'd take that over it looking pretty.
Excessive cleaning will ruin your chain, in my opinion, and over-zealous cleaning even more so. Those fancy chain cleaning machines are almost certainly pushing cleaning chemical past the o-rings, and that will foreshorten the life of the chain. And using stiff bristles to move the debris must surely contribute to scratching the surface of the chain plates, making them rust quicker. By all means use a chain cleaner, but not every sodding week! Just soak a rag with cleaner and wipe the muck off, and save the deep clean for once or twice a year. The best way to lube the chain is to use a traditional oil-based lube (or just engine oil) - apply liberally to the chain then wipe off any excess - then seal it in with a chain wax to stop it flinging. Or buy a shaftie...
