Cleaning chain

[SVboy]

On my bikes[roadbikes] I lube the chain every 500kms, when warm, and every1000kms I clean the chain with kero and toothbrush and degreaser,hose down, then take for a short ride to dry and warm, then apply chainwax. I thought I was being good, but I just read in TWO WHEELS in the mechaics section, they recommend a wipedown with a greasy rag at 1000kms, then chain lube. Their rationale being not to wash out the existing lube using a solvent, and just to remove surface crud. I cant see that method cleaning enough.Opinions please.

[tri boy]

I pretty much use your system, but not so often, as I'm a lazy prick.
Clean with kero n toothbrush.
Quick ride to warm up links.
Spray Maxima chain wax on.
The Scrambler see's alot of dust, so I spray more wax on when it's looking dry, and the wax doesn't flick off all over the hub/rim/tyre.
:cool:

[Pwalo]

I do a bit of both. I wipe down and give the chain a light spray every weekend, and clean the chain with kero and re lube every month.

I haven't had to adjust the chain yet.

[babyblade250rr]

same here i lube every 500-700k's and toothbrush and kerosene every thousaund i've had some long lasting chains in the past!

[Blue Velvet]

Scott Oilers fitted to all of my bikes since purchase. Seem to result in less maintenance all round so I'm happy.

[Taz]

On my bikes[roadbikes] I lube the chain every 500kms, when warm, and every1000kms......

So you're stopping halfway thru each ride to lube your chain?? Scottoiler for you I think.

[Waxxa]

Scott Oilers are the go. I've had one for ten years on my bikes and you basically don't need to do any maintenance. The 'Oiler keeps chain lubed (you can vary the flow of lube depending whether riding conditions are dry, wet, dusty, mud) it keeps the chain clean and it will extend the life of the chain by 5x-7x of normal replacement. I strongly recommend that every rider gets one for their pride and joys. Price $200 an absolute bargain.

[Drum]

With an o-ring or x-ring chain you wouldn't actually be washing out the lube with the solvent anyway, just removing the surface crud.

[Blackbird]

I'm with Blue Velvet and Waaxa re:: Scottoilers. From the moment you grease a chain, the wear rate rises until the next greasing whereas the Scottoiler delivers a constant volume. I've used a Scottoiler for 5 years. Installed it at the same time as a new chain and sprockets. Have now covered 49000 km since installation and the chain and sprokets are still perfect. What's more, I rarely have to re-tension the chain between tyre changes.

[ManDownUnder]

I never clean my chain (I mean... NEVER) and lube it every 1,000 - 1,500kms. Never have and I'll take a lot of convincing to do it.

I put it on new with new sprockets back at 35,000kms or so... approaching 90,000kms now and it's probably 1/3 worn?

I honestly don't see the point personally unless you're going offroad/sand etc.

Incidentally - the most frequent way to check my chain is to flick my engine off 10 seconds before I park and just roll to a stop. If the chain needs lube I'll hear and feel it.

[vifferman]

I use BioLube for my chain - collect it from the pillowslips and hair grooming aids around the house. Of course, this means I have to occasionally clean the chain with shampoo, and every other clean I have to use a good conditioner, otherwise the sprockets get a bit frizzy.

[Blackbird]

I use BioLube for my chain - collect it from the pillowslips and hair grooming aids around the house. Of course, this means I have to occasionally clean the chain with shampoo, and every other clean I have to use a good conditioner, otherwise the sprockets get a bit frizzy.

Partying with recreational substances started already, has it Ian :laugh:?

[vifferman]

Partying with recreational substances started already, has it Ian :laugh:?
No, I'm just feeling rather unwell.

[HungusMaximist]

I recommend you get yourself a Loobman (like scottoilier but 5 times cheaper), I haven't received it yet but from all the KB reviews it looks like a great product for the price.

DO a quick a search under "LOOBMAN''. Or go to http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/

[Grahameeboy]

Incidentally - the most frequent way to check my chain is to flick my engine off 10 seconds before I park and just roll to a stop. If the chain needs lube I'll hear and feel it.

Arh...so you don't wake the kids when you get home late....good on ya

[Pumba]

I recommend you get yourself a Loobman (like scottoilier but 5 times cheaper), I haven't received it yet but from all the KB reviews it looks like a great product for the price.

DO a quick a search under "LOOBMAN''. Or go to http://www.chainoiler.co.uk/

True a loobman is a very simplistic system that does work however, I am a lazy prick and that looks far to much like hard work.

On the subject at hand, I have never cleaned my chain, ocasionally if I am down that end of the bike playing around I might give it a wipe. My advice get a scottoiler and forget about it, best investment I ever made on my last two bikes.

[Taz]

I have the loobman on my XT600. It is good for long trips but not so good for short due to the time it takes for the oil to get thru the tube. With short trips a majority of your oil ends up on the ground while the bike is parked. Had the Scotoiler on my VFR750 and that was set and forget. Spend the extra if you are in the market for an oiler and get the scotoiler IMO. Or get a shaft drive :banana: like my other bike.

[homer]

Scott Oilers are the go. I've had one for ten years on my bikes and you basically don't need to do any maintenance. The 'Oiler keeps chain lubed (you can vary the flow of lube depending whether riding conditions are dry, wet, dusty, mud) it keeps the chain clean and it will extend the life of the chain by 5x-7x of normal replacement. I strongly recommend that every rider gets one for their pride and joys. Price $200 an absolute bargain.

Yeah totaly agree a scottoiler is the way to go
its well worth the expence,also you do get a bit of oil here and there but its easy to wipe off than have to wax the chain and clean as well

[oldrider]

I use this one, it's precise, can be adjusted according to the conditions while riding and so far trouble free!

Pic was actually taken to illustrate design weakness in chain guard bracket and remedial action taken to stop further cracking!

All the comments posted back were about how clean the back end of the bike was, so I thought I would post it here!

Yes, I do give my chain a lot of attention but it has been so much easier to keep the bike clean since I installed this brand of chain oiler!

It is very easy to install but can be a bit tricky to understand technically until you have it worked out and programmed!

Pro-oiler: www.pro-oiler.com look in the gallery for "your" bike or send them an E-mail and ask! :ride: Cheers John.