Lithium soap based grease
 

Hi there,

the service manual states that lithium soap based grease should be applied in many components after disassembling i.e. axle, collars, etc when taking rear wheel off.

1) After a quick search on google, seems like this kind of grease is not very common? Which kind do you use?
2) How do you grease axle, axle nut, collars, locknut, chain slack adjusting bolt? You just cover the them without putting any grease on the thread of the nuts and axle?
3) Which kind of lubricant you use on the clutch and brake cable ?

Bear with me for these silly questions :109:

Cheers!

I use copper slip on all threads to stop then oxidizing together. Cable just plain old grease. Linkage etc - any grease is better than non. Used normal grease on mine first but got some lithium now.

Ref the chain adjusting bolts. There are two small drain holes in the swingarm and if these get blocked the threads will sit in a puddle so make sure the are kept open. I use copper slip on everything accept the axle and bearings. If you use the bike through winter even the smallest threads can seize up.

I use waterproof marine grease...

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60211-fuchs-renolit-aqua-2-high-quality-water-resistant-grease.aspx

Discount also available from them for supporting members too!

The linkage is so exposed to road spray, which in winter isn't a lot different from seawater, it's the obvious choice.

Isn't all grease waterproof?

No. Normal grease just emulsifies when in direct contact with water for any length of time. They actually trap water molecules and keep hold them in the bearing accellerating corrosion.

Thanks for the tips mate.

Will this do the job?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Copper-Greas...ds=copper+slip

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-GR2500...m+grease+comma

Seems like a good option for winter. Is there any downside on the fact that is not lithium based?

The lithium soap is just one type of thickening agent - it has no real effect on the lubricating qualities of the grease as such. The oil contained in the grease is the important part (plus any additives like molybdemun disulphide etc.) All the tickener does is hold the oil in contact with the bearing surfaces between services. Some thickeners are better at resisting water than others, some better at dealing with high temperatures etc. Lithium is just one of many kinds of thickener that fall into the "general" use category, and its relatively cheap. Lithium is the basic all-purpose grease.

If you want to read up on grease, this site explains it pretty well...

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/1352/grease-basics

All grease is good grease, lithium grease is great and I use it frequently. You can find it in any good hardware store no worries......