Better living through chemistry. It was never so true than in motorcycle maintenance. Here's a run-down on what's in my cabinet. These are my opinions only.

DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant. This is a fairly new product for me. The fluid is a bit stinky - yeah, it smells funny. But it's very slick. Bottle quotes: "No oily or greasy film"  and  "Goes on wet to deeply penetrate. Sets up with a clean, dry film. Use on any moving part."  I'm thinking it may be as good as Tri-Flow and more available. I plan to do some testing and comparison.

I use the squeeze bottle to lube spoke threads. I tilt the squeeze bottle, so fluid is just ready to flow, then touch the bottle to the spoke at the spoke/nipple junction. The lube wicks out and fills the spoke threads. I go pretty fast; it takes about 20 seconds to do all the spokes on a wheel. Apply lube when the nipples are at the bottom, as you rotate the tire. Wipe excess off after you finish. This helps ensure that the threads stay clean, so the nipples don't bind when you do the spoke tightening procedure.

LPS 1 is a greaseless lubricant that I use for lubing clutch cables, footpeg pivot points, and kickstand pivot points.

LPS 2 is a non-drying lubricant that I use on on skidplate mounting bolts and other non-moto applications around the house and garage (moving parts on sno-blower, ATV snow plow mounts, wheeled weed wacker, etc).

If the DuPont Teflon Multi-Use lube tests out favorably against these two items, I'll switch to it and reduce my inventory ;-)

Bel Ray Waterproof Grease. Great for any place on the bike that needs lube and needs it to stay put. But be careful about using it on suspension components. See SuperTech Moly-Lithium Grease below.

Bel Ray Chain Lube. If I'm lazy, I just shoot this stuff on, and I'm done with the chain. Very clean and does not pick up dirt. Goes on white, so it looks kinda trick.

Tri-Flow. The ultimate o-ring (x-ring, t-ring, any-ring) chain lubricant. It wicks right under the chain roller and keeps the rubber rings (of any kind) from drying out. Lube often, and your chain won't kink up. You can most often find it in bicycle shops and a few places on-line.

Honda Silicone Liquid Gasket. Almost as good as the Yamaha stuff!

Permatex Anti-Seize. For any bolt that goes near heat or screws into aluminum or brass. Better yet, for all bolts! (very lightly)

Jet-Lube 33050#202 Moly-Lith Grease, 0 to 300 Degrees F, 2 NLGI Number, 14 oz Cartridge, Black; Amazon $11.

Honda notes in their CRF250X and CRF250R Service Manuals to lubricate the swingarm and shock linkage pivot bearings (along with related seals and bushings) with multi-purpose grease NLGI No. 2 with molybdenum disulfide additive (more than 3% MoS2). I often read about and hear from others who think Bel-Ray Waterproof or some equivalent is great for suspension. Honda thinks otherwise. The essential point to be made here is that grease containing MoS2 protects against the high loads in shock and swingarm pivot bearings better than other types of grease.

Bel-Ray (and any other waterproof bearing grease) is excellent for steering bearings and dust seals.

Honda Dielectric Grease. Seals electrical connections against moisture. If you ever ride in the rain or wash your bike, put this on all electrical connections on the bike. Yep, pull them all apart, smear this stuff on, then plug 'em back in.

Bel Ray Foam Filter Oil. Goes on blue, so you can see how good of a job you're doing. Super tacky. Make sure to blot thoroughly. I place the filter in the middle of a folded-over newspaper section and stand on it firmly with one foot. Multiple times. The Sunday Jobs classified ad section works great.

Bel Ray Super DOT 4 Brake Fluid. Nothing finer.

Tannery Cleaner. The best vinyl, leather, and other smooth-surface material cleaner I've ever used. Hard to find, so get two cans when you do.

If you don't know where to find any of the above, let Google be your guide.

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