Chain cleaning?

[scorpious]

I just love cleaning my chain!!!
Making that brass shine just rocks my world!!!

any other chain cleaners on KB?

[gtr boy]

lol gave mine the once over yesterday.
came up all bronzy..............:cool:

[DarkLord]

Yup...go the scrubbing brush, hose, dishwashing liquid and the engine degreaser :)

not all at the same time of course!!

[vifferman]

Yup...go the scrubbing brush, hose, dishwashing liquid and the engine degreaser :)

not all at the same time of course!!
On your chain? :eek5:
You should use only kerosene to clean it, or maybe WD40 if you're away from home.

[DarkLord]

Really? I actually heard that kerosene wasn't good for X-ring chains?

[vgcspares]

Ya gotta be careful with degreaser, has the same effect as a pressure washer on o-ring chains - can take the prepacked grease out from behind the o-rings. Diesel or kerosene's a better bet.

[DarkLord]

Oh ok, what about x-ring chains though? that's what I've got on the Hyosung....

[scorpious]

I use crc brake cleaner

[vifferman]

Really? I actually heard that kerosene wasn't good for X-ring chains?
It's fine on all chains, and for cleaning engine parts, the reason being that it doesn't harm the o-rings/x-rings, and it leaves a slight greasiness behind, unlike petrol or other solvents.


Ya gotta be careful with degreaser, has the same effect as a pressure washer on o-ring chains - can take the prepacked grease out from behind the o-rings. Diesel or kerosene's a better bet.
Indeed. Not just that, but because many degreasers are miscible with water, the degreaser could potentially carry water behind the seals and cause corrosion.


I use crc brake cleaner
Oh dear. That'll take off all the lube for sure, and possibly wreck the seals. Brake cleaner is for brakes, not chains. Most brake cleaners now are a similar formulation to drycleaning solvents, so they dissolve fats and greases, and any remains of the cleaner usually evaporates without leaving a residue.

[Pussy]

You're on to it, Vifferman... ONLY use kerosene

[DarkLord]

Thanks Viffer -

I realise the degreaser will be bad for the o-ring chains, but what about the x-ring ones?

[vifferman]

I realise the degreaser will be bad for the o-ring chains, but what about the x-ring ones?
Same-same. You're only talking about a difference in ring shape.
There is a school of thought that says the rings (be they O or X) don't actually last more'n a fraction of the chain's life anyway, so in the Real World, the life of your chain's dependent on how you clean and lube it, rather than fancy engineering and seals.

The problem with using a degreaser is it's designed to take the grease off (duh), and the resulting emulsion can then be rinsed away with water. Having degreased the chain, there's nothing to protect the chain from the water you're applying!
When you clean the chain with kerosene, it takes off the bulk of the chain spooge, but leaves a slight oily residue, so your chain's not vulnerable to moisture. You can even leave it a while before reapplying the lube, although if the weather's wet, it would be desirable to re-lube it ASAP.

[NOMIS]

Mineral turps?????????? anyone?

[klyong82]

Same-same. You're only talking about a difference in ring shape.
There is a school of thought that says the rings (be they O or X) don't actually last more'n a fraction of the chain's life anyway, so in the Real World, the life of your chain's dependent on how you clean and lube it, rather than fancy engineering and seals.

The problem with using a degreaser is it's designed to take the grease off (duh), and the resulting emulsion can then be rinsed away with water. Having degreased the chain, there's nothing to protect the chain from the water you're applying!
When you clean the chain with kerosene, it takes off the bulk of the chain spooge, but leaves a slight oily residue, so your chain's not vulnerable to moisture. You can even leave it a while before reapplying the lube, although if the weather's wet, it would be desirable to re-lube it ASAP.

Very informative vifferman. I'm glad I am using kerosene to clean my chain.

[scracha]

Very informative vifferman. I'm glad I am using kerosene to clean my chain.

You guys clean chains? OMFG

[ManDownUnder]

ditto here. No cleany, last chain lasted 65 to 70 thousand k's with a quick quirt of lube every 1,000 kms.

(yes - true). I think I was lucky with the chain and sprockets, but I also subscribe to the "a little gunk on the chain keeps the rest out" theory.

[Moki]

get a shafty

[Swoop]

So long as it runs well and is lubed... who cares what it looks like.
It is, after all, a funtional part rather than an aesthetic part.

[scorpious]

ditto here. No cleany, last chain lasted 65 to 70 thousand k's with a quick quirt of lube every 1,000 kms.


and your chain looked like shit?


So long as it runs well and is lubed... who cares what it looks like.
It is, after all, a funtional part rather than an aesthetic part.

its all about the looks,
A sparkling chain really makes a bike

[Dan Mapp]

Mr Scott Oiler takes care I"ve mine

[klyong82]

You guys clean chains? OMFG

My next question is I have a habit of cleaning my chain almost everyweek with kerosene.....is that bad for the chain? Am I over-cleaning it?

[DarkLord]

I took viffer's advice and cleaned my chain with kerosene this evening.

Looks brand-spankin' new.

Plus my flatmate told me that I now smell like kerosene.

Positives on all fronts. :beer:

[Pussy]

My next question is I have a habit of cleaning my chain almost everyweek with kerosene.....is that bad for the chain? Am I over-cleaning it?

Shouldn't do it any harm at all

[rocketman1]

All ever do is use Castrol Chain Oil from the spray can
Spray after every 200km or so, no need to clean the shit just flies off.
The chain seems to be in very good order.
I guess a chain oiler would be a good idea, but Suzuki say you dont need them.
Just a lube every 1000km? Good enough for me

[scorpious]

I guess a chain oiler would be a good idea, but Suzuki say you dont need them.
e

suzzuki don't know what they're talking about. A scott oiler will increase a chains lifetime by at lease 50000k. they garantee it

[Cr1MiNaL]

best bet is to clean said chain by being a squid in a straight line!!!

[DarkLord]

best bet is to clean said chain by being a squid in a straight line!!!

??? :scratch:

I R iz confuzed...

[Cr1MiNaL]

??? :scratch:

I R iz confuzed...

Its what I do when were riding and I see a straight bro :eek: sorry officer but my chain needed cleaning...:bleh:

[DarkLord]

Lol so doing 250+ out on the Coromandel is "cleaning your chain?"

Not too sure how well that would hold up in court....:blink:

[Pwalo]

And dont forget to take your front sprocket cover off and clean out all the accumulated gunk behind that as well.

[Donor]

What's a chain?

[vifferman]

And dont forget to take your front sprocket cover off and clean out all the accumulated gunk behind that as well.
You need to bone up on your technical terms - the "accumulated gunk" is hidden chain spooge.

[Pwalo]

You need to bone up on your technical terms - the "accumulated gunk" is hidden chain spooge.

Did you really say 'bone up'?

[The Pastor]

listen hear, cleaning your chain will always damamge it, but not as much as lubing it! lubing a chain actually increaces the wear! its way better to have a completely dry chain all the time! just set and forget!

[Bulldog]

I clean mine with a chain brush from Cycletreads using CRC. Then dry with rag as much as possible. Spray on some chain lube while chain is warm. I like my chain clean as it's gold and sets the bike off nicely...other than that I couldn't give a flying rats arse. Just buy a new chain every 20,000kms and be done with it.

[ZK-Awesome]

Ive got an ugly chain guard over mine, I just lube with chain oil every 400km. No point in cleaning mine I reckon since no-one sees it. I did give the front sprocket area a good cleanout recently though, I don't think it had been done since the early 80's!

[vifferman]

Ive got an ugly chain guard over mine, I just lube with chain oil every 400km. No point in cleaning mine I reckon since no-one sees it. I did give the front sprocket area a good cleanout recently though, I don't think it had been done since the early 80's!
Ugly is right, but they do make a huge difference to the longevity of the chain'n'sprockets. A lot of the wear and dirt is just crap that comes off the tyre, especially in wet weather.

I bet all the owners of belt-driven bikes are having a quiet chortle about this thread...

Speaking of which, there's a guy on VFR Discussion forum who's converted a couple of VFRs to belt drive. He's a machinist....

[EJK]

I just love cleaning my chain!!!
Making that brass shine just rocks my world!!!

any other chain cleaners on KB?

Wanna clean mine? It's got some sand on it after a beach ride.

[scorpious]

Wanna clean mine? It's got some sand on it after a beach ride.

bit far away mate lol

[EJK]

bit far away mate lol

Hahaha

Yeah man its such a pain to clean them... Next time I'm gonna get a fukn Buell!... AND go off road on it!

[musicman]

Hahaha

Yeah man its such a pain to clean them... Next time I'm gonna get a fukn Buell!... AND go off road on it!

Haha that's what happens when you take your road bike on a beach! I never quite got rid of all the sand of my chain... I just kept lubing it heaps.

[Badjelly]

listen hear, cleaning your chain will always damamge it, but not as much as lubing it! lubing a chain actually increaces the wear! its way better to have a completely dry chain all the time! just set and forget!

Well, renegade master is a pretty knowledgeable bloke, so if he gives me advice like this without one shred of justification or explanation (but with several spelling errors) then of course I'm going to follow it. Yeah right.

[The Pastor]

Well, renegade master is a pretty knowledgeable bloke, so if he gives me advice like this without one shred of justification or explanation (but with several spelling errors) then of course I'm going to follow it. Yeah right.
you better belive it!

[DarkLord]

I just noticed a little surface rust on mine....I guess that is my punishment for cleaning with engine degreaser!!! :(

Oh well it mostly seemed to wipe off anyway so no harm done I hope....

[Radar]

Ya gotta be careful with degreaser, has the same effect as a pressure washer on o-ring chains - can take the prepacked grease out from behind the o-rings. Diesel or kerosene's a better bet.

I used diesel once and the chain was stuffed soon after. When my mechanic replaced the chain he told me that kerosene should be used, not diesel.

[Pussy]

I used diesel once and the chain was stuffed soon after. When my mechanic replaced the chain he told me that kerosene should be used, not diesel.

Your mechanic gave you very good advice

[Chooky]

Hmmm. I've always used JetA1 to clean the chain...
Works for me...:yes:

[Pussy]

Hmmm. I've always used JetA1 to clean the chain...
Works for me...:yes:

Really?? Where do you get hold of that?? :)

[EJK]

Hmmm. I've always used JetA1 to clean the chain...
Works for me...:yes:

Where? Where?? :eek5:

[mister.koz]

I just use LOTS of chain oil, literally bathe the chain in it, roll it around a bit and then wipe it all off with a no-lint rag then apply the right amount, comes up shiny as hell :)

[cs363]

Really?? Where do you get hold of that?? :)

As if YOU didn't know.... :bleh:


It's just overpriced kerosene anyway :laugh:


Waits for full scientific/technical correction.... :laugh:

[cs363]

I used diesel once and the chain was stuffed soon after. When my mechanic replaced the chain he told me that kerosene should be used, not diesel.


As Pussy said, your mechanic gave you good advice - diesel has a relatively high detergent content which as noted previously is not good for keeping the grease between the O or X rings. I'd imagine it wouldn't be too good for the O/X rings either as it would probably cause them to swell like petrol does.

[Jcxss]

Same-same. You're only talking about a difference in ring shape.
There is a school of thought that says the rings (be they O or X) don't actually last more'n a fraction of the chain's life anyway, so in the Real World, the life of your chain's dependent on how you clean and lube it, rather than fancy engineering and seals.

The problem with using a degreaser is it's designed to take the grease off (duh), and the resulting emulsion can then be rinsed away with water. Having degreased the chain, there's nothing to protect the chain from the water you're applying!
When you clean the chain with kerosene, it takes off the bulk of the chain spooge, but leaves a slight oily residue, so your chain's not vulnerable to moisture. You can even leave it a while before reapplying the lube, although if the weather's wet, it would be desirable to re-lube it ASAP.

So if using Kerosene, do we need to brush it? or just spray it onto chain, leave then wash with water? or do we have to soak it in kerosene?

[Pixie]

Same-same. You're only talking about a difference in ring shape.
There is a school of thought that says the rings (be they O or X) don't actually last more'n a fraction of the chain's life anyway, so in the Real World, the life of your chain's dependent on how you clean and lube it, rather than fancy engineering and seals.



The school of thought seems to be wrong in the case of the 82,000 km old chain on my bandit

[mister.koz]

So if using Kerosene, do we need to brush it? or just spray it onto chain, leave then wash with water? or do we have to soak it in kerosene?

I would spray it on and brush away the dirt/grime etc with an old toothbrush, let it drip off, wipe any excess and then apply chain lube/wax.

Water is not a good go because it might dry the chain out too much and wouldn't help anyways because it wont combine with kero.

[cs363]

I would spray it on and brush away the dirt/grime etc with an old toothbrush, let it drip off, wipe any excess and then apply chain lube/wax.

Water is not a good go because it might dry the chain out too much and wouldn't help anyways because it wont combine with kero.

You're partly correct, up to the point where you've scrubbed with the toothbrush. You can hose it off because kerosene and water will emulsify (as in combine rather than mix) the water will wash away any dirt and grime yet will still leave a thin layer of oily kerosene on the chain. The chain should then be dried to get rid off remaining water and then lubed/waxed.(Even better, just go for a quick fang up the road, this will get rid of any remaining water and also warm the chain slightly which will help the lubespread and penetrate.
Applying lube straight over the top of kerosene is not a good idea as it will thin the lube, probably making it more likely to throw off.

Anyway, that's my 2c and how I do it - everyone seems to have their own ideas (which of course are wrong! :lol:)

[mister.koz]

You're partly correct, up to the point where you've scrubbed with the toothbrush. You can hose it off because kerosene and water will emulsify (as in combine rather than mix) the water will wash away any dirt and grime yet will still leave a thin layer of oily kerosene on the chain. The chain should then be dried to get rid off remaining water and then lubed/waxed.(Even better, just go for a quick fang up the road, this will get rid of any remaining water and also warm the chain slightly which will help the lubespread and penetrate.
Applying lube straight over the top of kerosene is not a good idea as it will thin the lube, probably making it more likely to throw off.

Anyway, that's my 2c and how I do it - everyone seems to have their own ideas (which of course are wrong! :lol:)

Sweet, there you go. I thought kero didn't emulsify with water, but then i hadn't tested that ;)

[cs363]

Sweet, there you go. I thought kero didn't emulsify with water, but then i hadn't tested that ;)

Yeah, it's actually the main ingredient in a lot of degreasers. Here's the low down: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Separating_kerosene_and_water

If you put a bit of water and kero in a jar and mix it up, you'll see it turns into a creamy white emulsion. If left alone for some time it will eventually seperate into two layers as per above link.

[vifferman]

Sweet, there you go. I thought kero didn't emulsify with water, but then i hadn't tested that ;)
Someone recently said (on yet another chain lubing/cleaning thread) that attending to you chain immediately after a ride when it's still warm was bollix, as the chain didn't warm up appreciably. Having taking this (like all the other expert advice on Kiwi Biker) as gospel, imagine my surprise t'other day when I sprayed some WD40 on my chain as soon as I parked my bike in the gargre. Was that evaporative vapour I spied rising from the chain? :eek5:
Can't have been. :no:
Must've been a pigment of my <s>swine flu</s> imagination, or Scotch Mist or summat...

Incidentally, I suspect I'm ferkin up my chains by lavishing too much care on them. They're lasting only 18 munce to two years of communtering before developing unevenness. Prolly doesn't help that while I wanted a DID chain, what was actually fitted was a Regina. Sounds a bit too koonty to me...
Can't be good having an Eye-talian chain on a Jap bike.
Wait.... :confused:
Hmmmm...
Multinational bike: Originally Japanese, with:
British tyres, brakepads and handgrips (the latter made in China); Chinese confirminators and battery; Mrkn fusebox, C/F panels, shifter parts, Power Commander, airfilter, fork springs; Ozzie zorst, tank pad and speedo corrector; Swiss fork oil; Canadian rear shock and footpeg brackets; Churman instrument panel bulbs; Italian horns, tyre valves, engine oil and chain; NZ packrack, headlight guard, and toolkit bag; Swedish rear brake pads...
I've probably overlooked summat somewhere, but it sounds a right blardy mongrel...

[mister.koz]

Yeah, it's actually the main ingredient in a lot of degreasers. Here's the low down: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Separating_kerosene_and_water

If you put a bit of water and kero in a jar and mix it up, you'll see it turns into a creamy white emulsion. If left alone for some time it will eventually seperate into two layers as per above link.

Mean, you learn something every day :) cheerz!

[Metalor]

Ooooo.. I never clean my chain, maybe I should? I'll started when I get me Hornet cos I'll have somewhere to work on it too.

[cs363]

Someone recently said (on yet another chain lubing/cleaning thread) that attending to you chain immediately after a ride when it's still warm was bollix, as the chain didn't warm up appreciably. Having taking this (like all the other expert advice on Kiwi Biker) as gospel, imagine my surprise t'other day when I sprayed some WD40 on my chain as soon as I parked my bike in the gargre. Was that evaporative vapour I spied rising from the chain? :eek5:
Can't have been. :no:
Must've been a pigment of my <s>swine flu</s> imagination, or Scotch Mist or summat...

Well it stands to reason that the chain will be warmer due to transmitted engine heat through the drive sprocket, and possibly through the rear wheel from tyre and brake heat (obviously dependent on how far you've ridden), let alone the frictional forces of all the moving parts of the chain and so on....
I think maybe some people expect the chain to perhaps get hot, I dunno.... :yawn:

[davebullet]

Or clean your chain then fit a loobman to oil it on the run. Problem with stationary oiling is you can overdo it (causing fling off) plus the oil doesn't have a chance to "work" into the o-rings (if that makes sense). Just fitted my loobman and seems to do the trick. Cost $47 landed which is a bit pricey for a bunch of plastic bits, but seems to work ok. I'll post a review and photos in due course.