How often should I clean the chain?

[Roki_nz]

Hi Guys

Quick simple question:

How often should I clean my chain (O-Ring chain), Do i have to do it everytime before I lube the chain, or do i just have to do it every once in a while?

Thanks

[Warr]

......
How often should I clean my chain (O-Ring chain)...

Never works for me :)

Do a search on looking after chains it will tell you all you need to know and more...

MOST IMPORTANT Danger Danger Borrowed from http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=108397

But not one i would recommend,dont look if your squeamish.http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242261 If its for real then good on him for fessing up i guess,may stop some other numb nuts doing it.


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http://www.bikesa.biz/forum/index.php?topic=17683.0

Link to real chain advice.

[klyong82]

Hi Guys

Quick simple question:

How often should I clean my chain (O-Ring chain), Do i have to do it everytime before I lube the chain, or do i just have to do it every once in a while?

Thanks

Re-lube every 300km and full clean every 600 or 1000km. As it is O-ring check that you are using the correct lube as I read certain lube aint suitable for o-rings. Remember engine off when ya clean it...if you love ya fingers

[vifferman]

You can usually tell when it's (past) time to clean your chain, as it will get noisy and gearchanges may deteriorate.

Depends what lube you're using whether the chain needs cleaning everytime, as most lubes contain solvents that in themselves clean off some of the old lube'n'chainspooge (depending on how much you apply).

[Danae]

I've heard that kerosene is ideal. Can anyone confirm? I should probably clean my own chain at some point.

[Coldrider]

Kero has a higher flashpoint, so is harder to incinerate you, but incinerate you, it can.

[Roki_nz]

I've heard that kerosene is ideal. Can anyone confirm? I should probably clean my own chain at some point.

I used it this weekend and it worked like a wonder no effort at all.

All i did was dip a teflon dish brush in the kerosene and scrubbed the side of the chain. All the dirt and grease comes off very quickly

Oh and btw thanks for the advice everyone

[Ferkletastic]

I've heard that kerosene is ideal. Can anyone confirm? I should probably clean my own chain at some point.

I use Kero, it's awesome for de-spooging, and yes Clean Your Chain.

Your avatar always makes me giggle.

[MikeL]

I've heard that kerosene is ideal. Can anyone confirm? I should probably clean my own chain at some point.

I've used nothing but kerosene and a toothbrush on my bikes. I tend to clean the chain about every 400-500 km, or more frequently if riding on wet or dusty roads. I bought the Honda at 25k, it's now done 77k still on the same chain and both chain and sprockets still in good condition. The Yamaha has so far done around 40 k on the same chain, but it also has a Scottoiler. Whether the regular cleaning is the reason is impossible to prove (a control experiment involving an identical bike over the same time and mileage without chain cleaning has unfortunately not been possible) but some things seem to make sense even without scientific proof...

[Coldrider]

I use 'electrasol'.

[StoneY]

I've heard that kerosene is ideal. Can anyone confirm? I should probably clean my own chain at some point.

If you want to put any oil based SOLVENT on YOUR O-Rings go ahead, just keep the hell away from MY bike!

Kero- Petrol- Deisel.... NONE are any use for 'cleaning' your chain but they sure will help shorten the life span (IF its an O or X ring)

As stated above, most (MOST) approved O or X ring chain lubes come with thier own solvent/detergent factor built in, but dont over-lube either

My chain was recently extremely overlubed by a zealous workshop apprentice, leading to a mistaken belief my botoom end was heamoraging, had lube all over the godamn tire within 30km's

[vifferman]

If you want to put any oil based SOLVENT on YOUR O-Rings go ahead, just keep the hell away from MY bike!

Kero- Petrol- Deisel.... NONE are any use for 'cleaning' your chain but they sure will help shorten the life span
So that's why the chain manufacturers recommend using kerosene to clean your chain? :confused:

It's plot, I tellsya! They're just trying to get you to shorten the chain's life so they'll sell more of 'em! :Pokey:

[AllanB]

Some where in the shed is a Suzuki manual (from a GS1200ss so only 4-5 year old) telling you to use Kero to clean your O-ring chain due to it's base as it will not damage the rubber in the O-X rings. I'll see if I can find it tonight.

You only need a piddly amount to clean one and wipe off any excess after before oiling.

[YellowDog]

Never works for me :)

Do a search on looking after chains it will tell you all you need to know and more...

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If it doesn't get dirty, then you don't need to clean it.

It all depends on the type of riding you are doing.

I give it a blast of air from my compressor when it looks a bit dusty and also before I lube.

[p.dath]

If you want to put any oil based SOLVENT on YOUR O-Rings go ahead, just keep the hell away from MY bike!

Kero- Petrol- Deisel.... NONE are any use for 'cleaning' your chain but they sure will help shorten the life span (IF its an O or X ring)


I wouldn't use Petrol or Diesel, but Kerosene is well accepted for cleaning of o-ring based chains.

Here is a quick Google search (http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=clean+chain+keroscene&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a) showing a wealth of articles supporting the use of kerosene.

[p.dath]

Also check out this thread on the matter by vifferman:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=105896