Chain Dust & Zeus Helmets

[viejo]

No one from my favorite shops can explain what's going on with this reddish/brown chain dust, now thrown over the back wheel, kickstand, and lower frame. Weeks ago I did a really sincere job on the chain; store-bought chain cleaner, chain wax, even brake cleaner with several toothbrushes on the sprocket; looked like new when I was done. Didn't ride the bike for two days; thought that cure time would even help. But now, even on the chain, I've got this reddish/brown dust stuff - Looks from a distance like rust, or like I've been cruising the Louisiana backroads.
The Zeus 508 modular helmet I bought was a disaster. I've also got a great KBC fullface, just excellent in all ways. The Zeus was incredibly loud, chintzy vents that wouldn't close entirely, or stay closed, a child's Walmart boot strap closer strap, and a gap of 1/16" you could slid a dime into between the helmet and the top vent channels. It let in so much air my eyes were watering on the one day I used it...Incredible, really, but most reviews I had read were positive, 'the cheap good way to buy a modular helmet'...etc...Incredibly poor design and materials.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by viejo

Weeks ago I did a really sincere job on the chain; store-bought chain cleaner, chain wax, even brake cleaner with several toothbrushes on the sprocket

BRAKE CLEANER........???

How much brake cleaner got on the chain itself??
Was the chain cleaner for MOTORCYCLE chains....and did the label say it was OK for O-ring chains?

I fear that the reddish stuff you are seeing is the lube from INSIDE the chain links leaking out because the O-rings are shot. How old is the chain?

OTOH, it could be just the chain "wax" changing color. I sure hope so !!

[viejo]

Oops...sure didn't realize brake cleaner was a no-no...Shoulda asked somewhere before using it. Impossible to know how much got sprayed on the chain, I mainly used it to clean the sprocket, but it of course got into the chain. The bike's a '98, but with only 12K, so unless my cleaning method ruined the chain, it's hard to see that I'd need a new one. This weekend I'll take it down again to very clean, but with only 'registered' products. Thanks much.

[Clint]

Yup, kerosene is the recommended cleaner. It works very well and won't ruin the rings.

In all fairness, I suspect your rings were shot before, and what you're now getting is rust from inside. You washed away all the grime that had it contained, and now it's flinging. I'm afraid it's time for a new set of sprockets and a chain. Get in touch with Blade (Bill) in his vendor forum for the right stuff.

Bandits are hard on chains with their high torque. I was moderately careful with mine (3-600 miles) and it was showing signs of wear at 15,000. With the age of yours, I'd just do the replacement. Time is as relevant as miles on a motorcycle.

[viejo]

Bet you're spot on...I did notice some of this 'reddish/brown' after running the beauty for several months after buying it, and before my cleaning efforts. According to the seller, it had sat for several years, verified somewhat by the receipts for new carbs - it hadn't been drained during the storage. I also saw during the last adjustment effort that it was nearly to the final 'nick' in the swingarm...Found 'Blade', and your good experience described there, so I'll get with him this weekend - Thanks Rowdy -

[themeatmanlandry]

For future reference, this dust is referred to as: The red dust of death.

Once you start seeing it, you can pretty much bet that your chain's down for the count.

[viejo]

Guess I've pretty much accepted that fact...Replacement parts aren't too bad it seems - Looking at complicating the job by doing it myself; I won't replace [I hope] the front sprocket, so it shouldn't bee too bad - Thanks meatman -

[themeatmanlandry]

Replace both sprockets, and you'll want this to make the job go right. I bought the exact same tool from these people. I love it. [EDIT] You'll need a drimel tool or a grinder to take the pin down on the old chain so that you can break it.

The money you spend on the tool will be savings realized the second time you put a chain on yourself.

Replace both sprockets when you do the chain.

[KD57]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Replace both sprockets, and you'll want this to make the job go right. I bought the exact same tool from these people. I love it. [EDIT] You'll need a drimel tool or a grinder to take the pin down on the old chain so that you can break it.

The money you spend on the tool will be savings realized the second time you put a chain on yourself.

Replace both sprockets when you do the chain.

Funny you found that at Tucmoto ( Tucker M/C Supply ) One of my best friends owns it. I helped him run it for a period of time about 6 years ago, trying to get it established. Bike parts for me are pretty cheap.

[themeatmanlandry]

I've had good service from them, so I'm not surprised to hear that you know him.

The one I got from there was a Motion Pro, but that one doesn't appear to be made by Motion Pro. I'm sure it's still a good tool.

[KD57]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I've had good service from them, so I'm not surprised to hear that you know him.

The one I got from there was a Motion Pro, but that one doesn't appear to be made by Motion Pro. I'm sure it's still a good tool.

Should you have any problems, you know who to contact now, lol. I still manage the race sponsorships for them, but don't do much anymore in the day to day operations.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Replace both sprockets when you do the chain.

[viejo]

New chain etc at the shop last Saturday...Building a garage here, so wimped out on doing it myself. Nice feeling, all so clean and fresh. Traded in the miserable Zeus helmet for a KBC FFR matte black modular - The perfect helmet in my estimation. I'm resigned to the fact I'll get more 'wind' in a modular helmet, but actually not much more 'noise' than my KBC fullface. Great visibility, 'D' ring straps, very firm 'up & down' holding stops and it opens enough to disappear above the line of sight - $269.00 here at Cycle Gear.
Now my shock - With my wife on the back, together we don't weigh 270 lbs, I bottomed out hard over a cattle guard recently; I moved the adjustment up two clicks to the highest; seems firmer [alone], she hasn't been on it yet. But wondering if I'm having a 'no **** Sherlock' moment here. Some months ago I lowered the bike with Holeshots' kit; worked great for that, but have I 'compressed' the shock, or altered its lenght in the lowering accounting for its 'bottoming'? I'm not aware of a bike's geometry to know for sure. Any ideas? Thanks much.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by viejo

But wondering if I'm having a 'no **** Sherlock' moment here.

Well, yes, I think that is probably the case!

Think about exactly what you did to accomplish the lowering.
Unless you moved the mount point at one end of the shocks OR installed different shocks then I think it is highly likely that you reduced the travel.

And depending on the design, you may have also increased the pre-load on the springs. A shorter set of shocks/springs would likely get everything back in "balance" but that might not be available.

[viejo]

well...Dang those unintended consequences. I doubt also that another shorter, or different design is available for it. Even finding a suitable exact fit aftermarket takes research; then, at nearly $500, you'd nearly start looking at getting another bike! But had a great long ride today - no issues; I'll live with it happily I guess - Thanks Easy Rider - Enjoy the coming spring.