Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? - Suzuki SV650 Forum: SV650, SV1000, Gladius Forums

avalys · 11-03-2009, 09:02 PM

I got my 2002 SV650 about 2000 miles ago, and have cleaned/lubed the chain three times since then.

Every time, I have been extremely anal about getting the thing to look brand new - and every 600 miles later, it is covered in gunk. Not road debris/dirt, not as far as as I can tell anyway, but this fine, tarry, black substance. It almost looks like rubber. It get all over the rollers, the edges of the sideplates, and the sprockets. I can't tell where it's coming from, and I've never seen a picture of a dirty chain online that looks like it has the same problem.

Any ideas?

pecha · 11-03-2009, 09:03 PM

what do you oil your chain with?

kjkrow · 11-03-2009, 09:04 PM

Not specifally, but more info wouldn't hurt.

What are you using to clean your chain?

What are you using to lube/wax your chain with?

Any pictures of the gunk that you describe?

NextSV · 11-03-2009, 09:04 PM

That would be....chain lube!!! Thast's right folks, chain lube that is now dirty. I have had this problem too. Might be leftover black chain lube like PJ-1 under the front sprocket cover that accumulate a long time ago and is now slowly dirtying up your chain.

CoryUT · 11-03-2009, 09:04 PM

Sounds like a mixture of lube and dirt. IMO it's pointless to clean a chain spotless.

tlc4diving · 11-03-2009, 09:05 PM

You might need to pull the cover off the front sprocket and clean the gunk out of there too.

kjhilsinger · 11-03-2009, 09:05 PM

road grime + chain lube = black tarry stuff

Mudsurfer1234 · 11-03-2009, 09:22 PM

Get this stuff, I use it, and it's amazing stuff. It sprays on white, then dries a blueish-white, and will NOT fling off. When the blueish-white looks like chain colored grey/steel color, it's time to lube again.

I haven't had a "black chain" in ages.

this stuff is also great for cleaning before spraying lube on

pecha · 11-03-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudsurfer1234

Get this stuff, I use it, and it's amazing stuff. It sprays on white, then dries a blueish-white, and will NOT fling off. When the blueish-white looks like chain colored grey/steel color, it's time to lube again.

I haven't had a "black chain" in ages.

FYI the new one sprays yellow and attracts dirt

Mudsurfer1234 · 11-03-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pecha

FYI the new one sprays yellow and attracts dirt

Is it still the "Superclean" version? I have Belray that comes out yellow/brown and is disgusting, goes right on the wheel every time, but it isn't the superclean stuff.

I have to go to the local dealer and stock up on the current stuff if they stop making it.

Non-clean stuff I have..

11-03-2009, 09:02 PM	#1
avalys Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Bikes: 2002 SV650N Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? I got my 2002 SV650 about 2000 miles ago, and have cleaned/lubed the chain three times since then. Every time, I have been extremely anal about getting the thing to look brand new - and every 600 miles later, it is covered in gunk. Not road debris/dirt, not as far as as I can tell anyway, but this fine, tarry, black substance. It almost looks like rubber. It get all over the rollers, the edges of the sideplates, and the sprockets. I can't tell where it's coming from, and I've never seen a picture of a dirty chain online that looks like it has the same problem. Any ideas?

11-03-2009, 09:03 PM	#2
pecha Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA Bikes: 08 690SMC, 01 B12S Miles Kms: 15000, 18000 Posts: 4,046 iTrader: (0)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? what do you oil your chain with? __________________ THE THUMPER SQUAD

11-03-2009, 09:04 PM	#3
kjkrow Supporting Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SAFB Bikes: SV650K2 Miles Kms: 20k Posts: 724 iTrader: (3)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? Not specifally, but more info wouldn't hurt. What are you using to clean your chain? What are you using to lube/wax your chain with? Any pictures of the gunk that you describe?

11-03-2009, 09:04 PM	#4
NextSV Supporting Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: (Lovely) Wichita Falls, TX Bikes: 2006 Triumph Speed Triple!! Posts: 695 iTrader: (3)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? That would be....chain lube!!! Thast's right folks, chain lube that is now dirty. I have had this problem too. Might be leftover black chain lube like PJ-1 under the front sprocket cover that accumulate a long time ago and is now slowly dirtying up your chain. __________________ Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.--Constantin Stanislavski

11-03-2009, 09:04 PM	#5
CoryUT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SoCal Bikes: '02 Ducati ST4S (for sale), '07 Honda VFR800 Posts: 957 iTrader: (0)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? Sounds like a mixture of lube and dirt. IMO it's pointless to clean a chain spotless. __________________ Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!

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11-03-2009, 09:05 PM	#6
tlc4diving Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oklahoma Bikes: 05' N Blue, 02' S Silver, 02' N Black Miles Kms: 28k Posts: 8,842 iTrader: (20)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? You might need to pull the cover off the front sprocket and clean the gunk out of there too. __________________ Some people are like a Slinky; not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

11-03-2009, 09:05 PM	#7
kjhilsinger Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: az Bikes: 06 sv650s converted to naked Miles Kms: 4000 Posts: 673 iTrader: (5)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? road grime + chain lube = black tarry stuff __________________ My build progress thread 2006 SVS to SVN: http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=106813

11-03-2009, 09:22 PM	#8
Mudsurfer1234 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boyertown, PA Bikes: 2007 CBR 600RR, 2005 Boulevard C50 Miles Kms: 2750 Posts: 557 iTrader: (0)	Re: Why is my chain covered in black, tarry stuff? Get this stuff, I use it, and it's amazing stuff. It sprays on white, then dries a blueish-white, and will NOT fling off. When the blueish-white looks like chain colored grey/steel color, it's time to lube again. I haven't had a "black chain" in ages. this stuff is also great for cleaning before spraying lube on __________________ -Former SV Haver- Current ride: 2007 Honda CBR600RR

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