Newbie Question - How to clean my chain?

**apteryx_haasti** · 20th September 2006, 22:32

Hi everyone,

Total newbie question. MY manual that came with the GN says I can clean my chain with kerosene. It is due for a clean according to the maintenance schedule.

Question - how does one actually go about this? I know total dumb newbie question but there you go.

Apologies in advance if I could have found the answer in a search - I haven't done one.

Thanks all!

A_H

**degrom** · 20th September 2006, 22:43

One tip... KEEP YOUR FINGERS FAR AWAY FROM SPROKETS!!! They will cut them off!!!

Best way I can think of doing this is to put your GN on it's main stand and in neutral. Then rotate the rear wheel very carefully while spraying on the cleaner stuff. Use a dry cloth to dry of all the dirty liquid that are dripping from the chain. Rotating the wheel to the back may the best way to do it.

Hope this could help.

**degrom** · 20th September 2006, 22:45

Originally Posted by apteryx_haasti

Hi everyone,

Total newbie question. MY manual that came with the GN says I can clean my chain with kerosene. It is due for a clean according to the maintenance schedule.

Question - how does one actually go about this? I know total dumb newbie question but there you go.

Apologies in advance if I could have found the answer in a search - I haven't done one.

Thanks all!

A_H

AND....

Don't forget to spray on chain lubricant made for motorcycle chains. They are available from Supercheap.

**Ixion** · 20th September 2006, 22:47

Little brush and rotate wheel slowly by hand. Then klube

**Dadpole** · 20th September 2006, 22:48

From the "GS Forums"

This is mainly for the newer riders but others may be interested. This is the spray lube method,so this does not apply to those of you that prefer to soak a chain in motor oil. Motor oil is cheap but does not protect against rust very long,it makes a mess and is not good for o-rings.
First, if the chain is too dirty,take it off and clean it with KEROSENE. It works very well,especially if you let it soak about a 1/2 hour or so and it is safe for o-rings. Use a "softer" bristle brush,especially on o-rings. Hang it out to dry. When you re-install the chain,make sure the CLOSED end of the master clip is pointing in the direction of travel.When sitting on the bike, you should have about 3/4-1'' of slack at the mid-point between sprockets. If you don't need to clean the chain,lets lube it.
Go for a quick ride,enough to warm up the chain. The chain MUST be warm to do the best job. Put the bike on the centerstand and lay out some newspapers. Shake the lube up good and insert the spray tube. From the rear of the bike,place the tip of the tube on the left side of the sprocket (about 5:00.) It should be touching right between the sprocket and chain. This is the best angle to try to get the lube down inside the rollers,which is where the lube is most needed. Turn the wheel backwards so the master link is at the bottom of the sprocket. This is just for a reference point when you spin the wheel. Slowly spin the wheel backwards as you apply the lube. Let the spray tip drag along between the sprocket and chain. Watch the master link come around 3 times. Now do the same on the right side of the sprocket. This side can be a little more trouble because the wheel can get in the way of your hand. Now spray each side of the chain,pointing the tube directly at its side and a few inches away. Try to pick a spot where you will have the least chance of getting the spray where you don't want it,such as brake parts or hard to clean up areas. To get the right amount of lube on will take a little practice depending on how fast you turn the wheel and how much you press the spray valve. After about 1 minute,rotate the chain 1/2 way around,this will help the lube to stay on the chain and not drip off as it is setting up and thickening. After 1 more minute do the same thing. Wipe off any over spray with a paper towel or rag. You may want to use a little mild cleaner. LET THE LUBE SET UP for about 20-30 minutes. Go riding! Depending on your driving conditions,you may want to re-lube every 400-600 miles or so? I don't ride in the rain and I don't apply it as often as some people say you should, but the way I do it has worked well for me. No rust,no unusual chain stretch.
PS:I have found the newer "Chain Waxes"(I use Maxima's brand) are much better than regular lubes such as "PJ". The chain wax is not as sticky so it attracts less dirt. It also protects o-rings MUCH better than regular lubes. It is about $7.95 for a 13 oz. can and if applied correctly, will give you many applications(I have'nt counted.) Hope this helps!

**car** · 21st September 2006, 00:54

Originally Posted by degrom

One tip... KEEP YOUR FINGERS FAR AWAY FROM SPROKETS!!! They will cut them off!!!

Best way I can think of doing this is to put your GN on it's main stand and in neutral.

With the engine off.

**degrom** · 21st September 2006, 06:45

Originally Posted by car

With the engine off.

Yes... That's what I ment. I don't hope that's your fingers!!!

**imdying** · 21st September 2006, 07:58

Originally Posted by car

With the engine off.

You mean that happened even when the engine was off?

**car** · 21st September 2006, 09:26

Originally Posted by degrom

Yes... That's what I ment. I don't hope that's your fingers!!!

It certainly is. Mighty stupid, mighty sore.

**car** · 21st September 2006, 09:30

Originally Posted by imdying

You mean that happened even when the engine was off?

No, I didn't turn the engine off until I went back out to the garage to look for the missing bit, in the deluded hope that the magicks of modern medicine would be able to stitch it back on.

**degrom** · 21st September 2006, 09:47

Originally Posted by car

No, I didn't turn the engine off until I went back out to the garage to look for the missing bit, in the deluded hope that the magicks of modern medicine would be able to stitch it back on.

Why am I just feeling the paint behind that thumb???

**car** · 21st September 2006, 09:57

Originally Posted by degrom

Why am I just feeling the paint behind that thumb???

Ach, it didn't hurt a bit. Not one bit.

IMLE, only the most cursory injuries hurt at the time. Anything irreversible is largely painless at the time. Mind, I've not been shot in the gut, yet. Form an orderly queue.

It did get me off nappy-changing duties for six weeks, though, so one and a half thumbs up there!

B'dum-tish.

**merv** · 21st September 2006, 11:02

I just use kerosene its cheap from the supermarket, pour a bit into a 2 litre icecream container and then use an old toothbrush to do the cleaning. I clean all the grease crap off my bikes like around the sprocket cover etc with kero and the back wheel where there's grease flung off the chain, then just hose it down, let it dry and then relube the chain. Can't do it easier and cheaper than that I reckon.

**Terminated** · 21st September 2006, 11:34

Originally Posted by apteryx_haasti

Question - how does one actually go about this?
A_H

Hi A_H, here is an extract from my newbie training updates:

I use kerosene in a squirt bottle, and hold a sheet of cardboard behind the chain so as not to splatter the wheel. Also use a toothbrush [get a packet of 5 brushes from the $2 shop in Lower Hutt]. Wipe off the chain as you proceed with old clean cloth.

Here's a tip: Use a black marker pen to put a blop on a chain link, use this as a guide as you progressively clean the chain - just wait for the blop mark to return to your starting point.

One more tip: Use a pair of rubber gloves - recommend 'Nitrile Disposable Gloves' a box of 100 for approx $12.50 [get these from the Safety shop in Ngauranga Gorge near LV Martins. Generally whenever working on your bike always wear gloves, not only for chain work.

Another tip: don the riding gloves and helmet after degreasing the chain and take the bike for a half kilometre ride to flush out the chain.

When you get back from the half kilometer ride put the bike back up on the stand and commence your lube, once again put down a marker point on the chain link.

Oh Yes Another Tip:
Every second time you degrease and lube your chain - remove the front sprocket housing and get in there and give it a good clean out too. Surprising how much gundge builds up in there.

I recall you mentioned months back about squeaky front wheel/brakes, my GN has off and on developed squeaky noise too - purchased 'Contact Brake Cleaner' from TSS it has done the trick. Gave it a good squirt wiped the disk and rotated and repeated etc.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**degrom** · 21st September 2006, 11:44

Originally Posted by BuckBuckNo1

Hi A_H, here is an extract from my newbie training updates:

I use kerosene in a squirt bottle, and hold a sheet of cardboard behind the chain so as not to splatter the wheel. Also use a toothbrush [get a packet of 5 brushes from the $2 shop in Lower Hutt]. Wipe off the chain as you proceed with old clean cloth.

Here's a tip: Use a black marker pen to put a blop on a chain link, use this as a guide as you progressively clean the chain - just wait for the blop mark to return to your starting point.

One more tip: Use a pair of rubber gloves - recommend 'Nitrile Disposable Gloves' a box of 100 for approx $12.50 [get these from the Safety shop in Ngauranga Gorge near LV Martins. Generally whenever working on your bike always wear gloves, not only for chain work.

Another tip: don the riding gloves and helmet after degreasing the chain and take the bike for a half kilometre ride to flush out the chain.

When you get back from the half kilometer ride put the bike back up on the stand and commence your lube, once again put down a marker point on the chain link.

Oh Yes Another Tip:
Every second time you degrease and lube your chain - remove the front sprocket housing and get in there and give it a good clean out too. Surprising how much gundge builds up in there.

I recall you mentioned months back about squeaky front wheel/brakes, my GN has off and on developed squeaky noise too - purchased 'Contact Brake Cleaner' from TSS it has done the trick. Gave it a good squirt wiped the disk and rotated and repeated etc.

Heads Up and Enjoy

Really good answer!!!