Joined
·
41,786 Posts
No. WD40 is NOT a good lubricant. WD40 has some short term lubricating properties and penetrates well (though better penetrating oils are now available). It works to free up seized parts, or as a cleaner/degreaser, but it can be destructive to some plastics or rubber. It is more of a solvent with some oil in it than anything else and was developed as a water displacement chemical (WD). It might work well for fixing a squeaky drawer in your kitchen, but the moving parts of a motorcycle should use a proper lubricant...a lubricant designed for the application in which it's being used. Have a corroded screw that's difficult to turn? Spray a little WD40 on it to get it out, then clean the WD40 off and apply a small amount of anti seize before replacing it. Bearings should be packed with the appropriate grease, depending on the working temperature and the amount of pressure carried by the bearing. Chains can be cleaned with WD40 (I prefer kerosene or diesel fuel because I know they won't harm the o rings), but the WD40 should be wiped off and a proper chain lube applied afterward.
There are many other spray lubricants out there that were actually designed to be lubricants. These should be chosen before WD40 whenever true lubrication is needed.
Back on topic.
There are many other spray lubricants out there that were actually designed to be lubricants. These should be chosen before WD40 whenever true lubrication is needed.
Back on topic.
