Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Kiwi
Wouldn't that also include the fine metal particles that come off inside the chain links (even when lubricated with original lubricant)?
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I've never thought this mattered and I'd question whether anything coming off was abrasive. My reason for saying this was the Sunbeam oilbath chaincase bikes I used to work on back in the 1950s which had been in service since the 1920s and 30s, often ridden daily in those non car owning days. They were running on the original chain and sprockets and they could live almost indefinitely. If metal particulates were a problem, they'd have suffered too.
Grinding products are almost invariably silicates, and they form a high proportion of road dust, hence my belief they're the real enemy. As you say, chaincases are best, but without one grease is quite effective in keeping it at bay. Oil doesn't convince me, since the fact that it can get right inside the chain means it's a great way of carrying road dust into there as well.
It's a pity that O rings and the newer X section rings cause too much frictional drag for bikes, since they work so well on motorbikes. I only ever surface greased the O ring chain on my CB500R and that showed no wear problems.