Cleaning chain gunk

[rustyrobot]

I ordered one off eBay a few days ago since it was only around $NZ6 including shipping. I'm watiting for it to arrive, but I'm also keen to hear what they're like.

Fark - that's cheap. You'll have to let us know how it goes. Putting the kero in a squirt bottle as suggested by casper seems like the go.

[SMOKEU]

Fark - that's cheap. You'll have to let us know how it goes. Putting the kero in a squirt bottle as suggested by casper seems like the go.

I'll post up a review when I've had a chance to test it out. The SRAD chain is starting to get pretty dirty so it will be a good test.

[Swoop]

... and lots of newspaper and rags to clear the inevitable runoff.

Or...

I simply put the centre stand pegs right on the edge of the driveway. The arse end of the bike then overhangs the grass and that absorbs all the grime and chain spooge as it drips off.

[SMOKEU]

Tip of the day; get an old piece of cardboard and fold it into an "L" shape. Put the top part of the L shape behind the chain, and the bottom part underneath the chain. Now the cardboard catches the chain lube and prevents it from getting on to the wheel or ground. Since I've used the method at least 95% of the excess lube ends up on the cardboard, so clean up time is easy.

[DamianW]

As others have said, kero is good for removing residue from chains and sprockets. I use a rag and brush on my o-ring chain. About six months ago I started using Maxima chain wax from Cycletreads ($20 for a large can). Better than Motul chain lube by far IMO.

[Flip]

Who cares if the chain is dirty, it has to work in all the grime, water and crap that comes off your rear wheel. I mean really folks, the inside of the sprocket cover is covered with grime for christ sake, yes it is dirty!

I did 80,000 km on my 1200 trophy on one chain with a scott oiler and 14,000 without it. The scott oiler oil washes off with detergent and warm water QED. The $$$$$ I saved from 6 sets of chains and sprockets brought me a lot of beer. All I had to do was wash the bike which I was going to do any way. All I used to do was use a special dirty old car wash brush, wet it and squirt a little neat car wash on it. Then give the rims/tyres and around the bottom of the luggage a quick scrub before I hosed off.

As far as chains and mechnical things in general go, read my lips, oil is good water is bad. I usually use cheap common old HD90 to lube chains and I have never cleaned or felt the need to clean a chain. As far as wax goes, wax is is not a good lubricant. Anything with a cristaline structure like wax is a solid. It might displace water when it is disolved in solvent and act as a sealant but its ability to lubricate is very limited. Don't tell me the people who sell you chains and sprockets also sell you the chain wax? What does your hand book say? I bet it says lube with HD90!

Otherwise sell the sports bike and buy a BMW with a shaft drive or a Harley with a plastic belt.

As far as, will O rings be damaged by solvent? It all depends what the O rings are made of. DID who are the better end of the chain makers food chain (no pun intended) say dont clean their chains with solvent. It's a mute point if you don't try to clean your chain.

Another good reason why you want to keep away from un-guarded chains http://midtownmiscreant.blogspot.co....bones-and.html

[jamesfry]

I find WD40 is excellent for cleaning chains - I would not use gunk for the reasons mentioned - although I am sure it would do an excellent job of removing grease it may affect the o rings.