Petrol warning...or something..or

**scumdog** · 28th July 2008, 15:28

Hmm, on a moment of keeness and after seeing the thead on cleaning bike chains I went outside and cleaned my mountain-bike chain.

Did it in place on the bike, made up a gizmo to hold the tensioner forwards so the chain was nice and loose and hanging down (oo-errrr!)

Used some petrol and a stainless tub and paint-brush to bo the cleaning, it may have been Ultimate I was using having drained it from the hot-rod.

ANYWAY about 15-20 minutes after starting the job I noticed the plastic 'doofer' that screws to the outside of the biggest front sprocket (there to stop my flared strides a-tangling in the chain I suspect) had a split in it, went to re-position it and it cracked and came away at each of the five equidistant mounting point.

Ended up ripping it off, it seemed fragile and crumbly.

Then I unscrewed the 5 screws that had been holding it on, the boss's that they screwed into (ie what was left of the 'doofer') all just crumbled in my hand...
Moral of story: Don't trust modern gasoline on items of plastic that weren't designed to be petrol-compatible.

**tri boy** · 28th July 2008, 15:38

Bugga!
Guess you will have to ride the penny farthing you southern gents still get around on.

**Patch** · 28th July 2008, 15:42

Just in case you forgot where you left it - its next to the horse an cart.

you should really use degreaser not petroleum.

**Rhino** · 28th July 2008, 19:30

Originally Posted by scumdog

Hmm, on a moment of keeness and after seeing the thead on cleaning bike chains I went outside and cleaned my mountain-bike chain.

Did it in place on the bike, made up a gizmo to hold the tensioner forwards so the chain was nice and loose and hanging down (oo-errrr!)

Used some petrol and a stainless tub and paint-brush to bo the cleaning, it may have been Ultimate I was using having drained it from the hot-rod.

ANYWAY about 15-20 minutes after starting the job I noticed the plastic 'doofer' that screws to the outside of the biggest front sprocket (there to stop my flared strides a-tangling in the chain I suspect) had a split in it, went to re-position it and it cracked and came away at each of the five equidistant mounting point.(

Damn, not good. I just had a vision of you in paisley flares on a pushie. You may have to buy a Raleigh Chopper.

Some modern plastics don't cope with petrol, particularly racing fuel or avgas

Many thanks for the hospitality to ScorpyGirl and I earlier in the year. If you and CB get up to Dorkland, you are more than welcome to stay.

**Big Dave** · 28th July 2008, 19:35

*I* would bath in WD40.

**scumdog** · 28th July 2008, 19:42

Originally Posted by Big Dave

*I* would bath in WD40.

Sadly you are right.

But I had more petrol than WD40 so.....

**Headbanger** · 28th July 2008, 19:49

Originally Posted by Big Dave

*I* would bath in WD40.

I bet getting out of the bath is a hard case.....

**Headbanger** · 28th July 2008, 19:51

Moral of the story, Don't touch it until it breaks, Then throw the entire contraption away and buy a new one.

Maintenance is bad.

**Cruisin' Craig** · 28th July 2008, 19:52

Well that sucks.

I remember using a toothbrush and petrol to clean a bicycle chain years ago. The toothbrush literally lasted about 30 seconds before it started turning into goop.

A valid warning I think.