Picking up the point that Tom Gaynor made regarding heat dissipation from the primary chain. This is important in that, as often quoted a chain is 98% efficient, therefore the other 2% is wasted as heat. You can do the maths yourself by using the bikes bhp as a start.
Quite often people have ruined an enclosed primary chain when it has run dry. Chainspray would work only on a low powered machine such as a veteran/vintage.
I've heard Vincent riders say that their rear chain run hotter when the chain was enclosed.
Reynolds used to say that SAE 20 was suitable for primary drive chains, thicker oil would be pushed aside by the moving chain and would not run back onto and into the chain. Certainly thicker oil gums up the clutch plates.
Len Matthews comment about materials reminded me of Triumph's Neo-Langite clutch friction material. It was common practice for dealers to tie up the clutch lever when displaying new machines, because if you left the clutch engaged for any time you could kickstart with the clutch lever held in.
I've used agricultural ATF in my primary drive for some time with no ill effects. I chose one that was suitable for transmissions with internal brakes, this does not affect clutches so much as modern car oils, no doubt many people will have heard of modern bikes with clutch problems after using synthetic oils.
Quite often people have ruined an enclosed primary chain when it has run dry. Chainspray would work only on a low powered machine such as a veteran/vintage.
I've heard Vincent riders say that their rear chain run hotter when the chain was enclosed.
Reynolds used to say that SAE 20 was suitable for primary drive chains, thicker oil would be pushed aside by the moving chain and would not run back onto and into the chain. Certainly thicker oil gums up the clutch plates.
Len Matthews comment about materials reminded me of Triumph's Neo-Langite clutch friction material. It was common practice for dealers to tie up the clutch lever when displaying new machines, because if you left the clutch engaged for any time you could kickstart with the clutch lever held in.
I've used agricultural ATF in my primary drive for some time with no ill effects. I chose one that was suitable for transmissions with internal brakes, this does not affect clutches so much as modern car oils, no doubt many people will have heard of modern bikes with clutch problems after using synthetic oils.