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Cub Scout Adventures > 
Arrow of Light >
 Cycling AOL > 
AOL Chain Maintenance
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Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Cycling AOL
Elective
Requirement 3

AOL Chain Maintenance

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Cycling AOL
Elective
Requirement 3

AOL Chain Maintenance

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts learn how to maintain their bike chain.

Outdoor
2
5
5
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.
  • Bike, one for each Cub Scout
  • Chain degreaser
  • Chain lubricant
  • Rubber gloves, one per Cub Scout
  • Bucket with warm soapy water
  • Old toothbrush, per buddy group
  • Clean dry rag, per buddy group

Before the meeting:

  1. Gather needed supplies.
  2. Remind parents and legal guardians that Cub Scouts should bring their bike to the next meeting.
  3. Set up your own bike to demonstrate lubricating the chain.

During the meeting:

  1. Divide Cub Scouts into buddies, hand out rubber gloves, toothbrush, and rag to each group.
  2. Tell Cub Scouts that they will be lubricating the chain on their bikes. Explain that it takes two people to do the maintenance safely and that both buddies will have a chance to lubricate the chain on their bikes.
  3. One buddy is to hold the bike steady, while the owner of the bike works to clean and lubricate their bike chain.
    • Degrease the chain. Add a small amount of degreaser to the toothbrush, hold it to the top of the chain, and backpedal. Repeat this step with the bottom of your chain, always brushing the section of chain below your drivetrain.
    • Rub down your chain with soapy water and rinse to clean off excess degreaser.
    • Choose your lube. Use wet lube if you ride in wet, muddy conditions, and dry lube if you ride in dry conditions.
    • Lube your chain. Carefully place a small drop of lube on top of each roller in your chain. Make sure to aim the lube right into your rollers. Getting lube on the outside of the chain will just pick up more dirt.
    • Wipe off any excess lube, and you’re ready to ride.

Tip: Only use lubricant that is designed for bikes.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.