Author Topic: Chain Cleaning? (Read 8095 times)

aussiebandit · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2005, 06:56:21 AM »

For chain cleaning or any general degreasing job you can't go passed good old kero. Brillant stuff, just don't smoke around it.

B6mick · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2005, 08:00:56 AM »

I'm with Aussiebandit, good old kero and the old shaggy toothbrush.

dizanott · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2005, 02:16:59 PM »

i just cleaned mine for the first time since i bought it (around 600 miles). used paper towels and kerosene. i can't believe i didn't use a toothbrush, i always resort to those to clean everything. anyway, it's looking in good shape, i think the guy i bought the bike from took really good care of it.

terrebandit · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2005, 06:36:18 PM »

I've used a paint brush to clean my chains but I recently switched to just a rag soaked in Kerosene. I just don't see the need to use any kind of bristle-type brush on these, unless you do alot of driving on dirt roads where sand and grit are a serious issue. Those grunge brushes are entirely too stiff IMO

Ranger · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2005, 03:10:09 AM »

bandibull · « **Reply #20 on:** June 20, 2005, 04:58:48 AM »

I wouldn't worry to much about using WD-40 either for just cleaning
or exclusively as a lubricant.

I got 52,000 miles miles out of my chain by just spraying WD-40
on my chain every time I took a break(my bad knees make this an
hourly routine.) I never "cleaned" my chain unless I ended up riding
on gravel roads for a length of time. The only time I applied any
additional lubrication is when I knew I would be gone for several
weeks time. Then I just coated the chain with some of my old
Amsoil synth oil before I left and cleaned it off with WD-40 when
I returned. I did this twice I believe. Maybe cleaned twice too.

My chain still looked good when I changed it but was starting to
show some signs of kinking when not fully "lubed" with WD-40.

I've never experienced the dreaded red dust that seems to indicate
your rings are drying out and disintigrating. My guess is that the
lite oil and aromatics in the WD-40 probably kept the rings soft
and plyable and may have replaced/reinforced any lubrication
behind the rings. Myabe not. I don't know.

What I do know is that I get a LOT of miles out my chains using
just WD-40 and I'm "guessing" that there is nothing in the product
that destroys o-rings or cause problems in the way in which
they function.

Red01 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2005, 06:10:01 AM »

I must say 50K+ out of a chain is damn impressive no matter what you use!

OTOH, lubing a chain every hour is a PIA for most.

gshok108 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2005, 04:37:05 AM »

I use WD-40 to clean and then a good chain wax to protect. According to WD-40 website it does not contain kerosene, but I have read that some testing revels a chemical "very" close to kerosene makes up the major portion of WD-40. WD-40 also works great for getting excess chain wax and grime off of areas like your wheels, under the rear fender, etc. IMO it makes a great cleaner/degreaser, but a terrible lubricant.

chippi · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2005, 02:01:16 PM »

Thanks for the WD40 tip.
I was doing a quick clean up last night (didn't have time to play with the bike but cleaned it anyway...he he) During my last service some mutten head spread something (not sure the name brand) that comes out and stays WHITE on my perfectly clean and GOLD chain/rear sprok.

But with the WD-40 and just a couple of minutes I got an ouhh nice from the wife. THANKS GUYS

Red01 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2005, 08:13:33 PM »

That white grease is actually good stuff. It's what most OEM's cover the chain with on new bikes.