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Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 3rd 19, 09:12 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Bret Cahill
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Posts: 875
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

Wrapping a valve cover gasket with plumbers tape managed to stop an impossible to stop oil leak.

The worst thing that can happen with the chain is the tape will come off and I'll have wasted 15 minutes and 50 cents.

I'll report back with the results, maybe even with photos.


Bret Cahill





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  #2  
Old May 4th 19, 03:42 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Bret Cahill
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Posts: 875
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

On Friday, May 3, 2019 at 1:12:09 PM UTC-7, Bret Cahill wrote:
Wrapping a valve cover gasket with plumbers tape managed to stop an impossible to stop oil leak.

The worst thing that can happen with the chain is the tape will come off and I'll have wasted 15 minutes and 50 cents.

I'll report back with the results, maybe even with photos.


I only had time for a short segment of chain. It shredded pretty fast, about 3 minutes to become difficult to even see the white tape. I doubt it offers much in the way of lubrication advantages either.


Bret Cahill





  #3  
Old May 6th 19, 12:45 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Bret Cahill
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Posts: 875
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

Wrapping a valve cover gasket with plumbers tape managed to stop an impossible to stop oil leak.

The worst thing that can happen with the chain is the tape will come off and I'll have wasted 15 minutes and 50 cents.

I'll report back with the results, maybe even with photos.


I only had time for a short segment of chain. It shredded pretty fast, about 3 minutes to become difficult to even see the white tape. I doubt it offers much in the way of lubrication advantages either.


Second try with 2 rolls of tape on a new chain and new (dry) cassette started off absolutely quiet, although it took awhile to punch holes in the outside of the chain with the idler pully. It was half gone after 6 km, 75% gone after 9 km. It mostly rubbed off shifting gears.

There's an online crowd sourced project for a reversible reaction motor oil additive. It would somehow become exothermic on cold starts to reduce viscosity. As the engine warmed the reaction reverses the additive to its original components.

That additive may never be realistic but a bike chain might be an easier problem. The goal is lubrication only on the tiny wear surfaces between pins and inner link holes, maybe 0.05 cc for an entire stainless steel chain. Everything else should be dry.

There should be some precise amount of cleaning that removes almost all the grease on the exposed parts of the chain were oil isn't desired, yet leaves enough oil where's it's needed.

The cleaning would need to be done very uniformly. Right now everyone slathers on several ccs of grease which then picks up grime.


Bret Cahill




  #4  
Old May 6th 19, 06:26 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Kim Wall
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Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

On 03/05/2019 21:12, Bret Cahill wrote:
Wrapping a valve cover gasket with plumbers tape managed to stop an
impossible to stop oil leak.

The worst thing that can happen with the chain is the tape will come
off and I'll have wasted 15 minutes and 50 cents.


An approach I've seen on some Dahon bikes is to enclose the outer face
and sides of the chain in a length of split-open flexible cable conduit.
This rotates around with the chain, keeping the oil off your leg (and
presumably the bulk of the dust off the oil).

Doesn't work with derailleurs, for obvious reasons.


Kim.
--

  #5  
Old May 7th 19, 12:46 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Bret Cahill
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Posts: 875
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

Wrapping a valve cover gasket with plumbers tape managed to stop an
impossible to stop oil leak.

The worst thing that can happen with the chain is the tape will come
off and I'll have wasted 15 minutes and 50 cents.


An approach I've seen on some Dahon bikes is to enclose the outer face
and sides of the chain in a length of split-open flexible cable conduit.
This rotates around with the chain, keeping the oil off your leg (and
presumably the bulk of the dust off the oil).

Doesn't work with derailleurs, for obvious reasons.


Only the front derailleur is scrapping the Teflon tape off the sides of the chain. Otherwise it might stay on the chain for hours. To determine this only switch chain rings at one bare place on the chain if at all. Shifting would take some care or the bare spot might end up being half the chain.

A rear derailleur might be designed without any fold backs but there would be less wrap around and the slack chain would be closer to the dirt when on a small chain ring / small sprocket combinations.

Back to magic lubricating oils: Is there a long chain molecule that breaks into lighter factions, much like the cracker unit at a refinery except it's triggered by UV light instead of a catalyst?

Slop that oil onto the chain to get it into the friction surfaces as usual then hit all the exposed surfaces with UV. The lighter products then evaporate off leaving those surfaces oil free.

Only the oil shielded from the UV light remains.


Bret Cahill





  #6  
Old May 16th 19, 09:48 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Tom Evans
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Posts: 44
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

On 06/05/2019 00:45, Bret Cahill wrote:


There should be some precise amount of cleaning that removes almost all the grease on the exposed parts of the chain were oil isn't desired, yet leaves enough oil where's it's needed.

The cleaning would need to be done very uniformly. Right now everyone slathers on several ccs of grease which then picks up grime.


What are you trying to achieve?

I buy 8 speed chains in bulk, for £6 each. They come lubricated. In dry
conditions I use them for a 1000 miles, less in wet. I never lubricate
them. Unlike oiled chains they appear to stay relatively clean. They
appear to shift OK throughout their life.

Most lubrication techniques seem to be either more expensive or very
time consuming, involving cleaning the chain and cassette.

I also get good life out of cassettes and chain wheels.
  #7  
Old May 18th 19, 12:12 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
Bret Cahill
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Posts: 875
Default Dubious Hack: Wrapping the Chain In Teflon Tape To Prevent DustBuild Up

There should be some precise amount of cleaning that removes almost all the grease on the exposed parts of the chain were oil isn't desired, yet leaves enough oil where's it's needed.

The cleaning would need to be done very uniformly. Right now everyone slathers on several ccs of grease which then picks up grime.


What are you trying to achieve?


A nearly maintenance free while pretty rice ride, even if I have to work myself to death to get it.

I buy 8 speed chains in bulk, for £6 each. They come lubricated. In dry
conditions I use them for a 1000 miles, less in wet. I never lubricate
them. Unlike oiled chains they appear to stay relatively clean. They
appear to shift OK throughout their life.


I rode the last chain and cassette until it slipped under any force whatsoever. The UK cyclist passing through to S. America was horrified at the sound.

Most lubrication techniques seem to be either more expensive or very
time consuming, involving cleaning the chain and cassette.

I also get good life out of cassettes and chain wheels.


I was astounded at the improvement from a new cassette/chain. It was a completely affordable experience.

Nevertheless, someone needs to rethink maintenance issues.


Bret Cahill

 




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