Chain maintenance?

[magicmonkey]

Having completed my first 1000k's (a little while ago actually, have been a bit lazy!) I decided it was time to clean the chain, the thing was covered in filth! So, got the bike on the centrestand and removed the front sprocket cover. In there I found about 1cm depth of grease and yuk! I wasn't best chuffed considering it was purchased on the understanding of a good service history but that's trade me for you. As I was working my way through the filth I found what looked like broken parts of chain link in there which immediately made me shit myself and start worrying about the chain; I checked the chain over and it seems to be fine, no parts missing (and now nice and clean/lubed) but I am a little worried. The washer under the front sprocket has been bent out to be flush against the retaining nut on one face of the nut but is normal the rest of the way around, is that something that shouldn't happen or is it a strange way of making sure the bolt doesn't come undone?

Also, I found a couple of very small patches of surface rust on the chain, they came away with the clean and the metal underneath was sound but I am a little worried that might continue to rust. I'll keep an eye on it of course but should I just be buying a new chain instead of making do with this one?

[James Deuce]

All the things you're worried about are normal.

The sprocket washer is supposed to be like that.

The "gunk" under the front sprocket cover is flung off chain lube. I clean mine out every 6 months, but it isn't strictly necessary.

How many kms has the chain done? What did the "broken" parts turn out to be? Have you been lubricating your chain and how have you been doing it?

Did you bother to do a search on chain maintenance and sprocket washers before writing this post?

Yes, I am THAT grumpy.

[p.dath]

You'll find using some kerosene helps with cleaning the chain and "gunk" as well.

[magicmonkey]

All the things you're worried about are normal.

The sprocket washer is supposed to be like that.

The "gunk" under the front sprocket cover is flung off chain lube. I clean mine out every 6 months, but it isn't strictly necessary.

How many kms has the chain done? What did the "broken" parts turn out to be? Have you been lubricating your chain and how have you been doing it?

Did you bother to do a search on chain maintenance and sprocket washers before writing this post?

Yes, I am THAT grumpy.

lol, yup, I did some googling and found out how it's meant to be done, didn't see anything about the washer being all bent up though!

As for the broken parts, they're not off the current chain so I can only assume that a previous owner has had a chain break on them and those are the remnants.

I haven't had the bike for long so this is the first time I've ever cleaned a chain. I get the feeling that I might have used too much lube though as the stuff has flicked off all over the read wheel, fortunately I have huge chicken strips though

[magicmonkey]

You'll find using some kerosene helps with cleaning the chain and "gunk" as well.

Yup, I got in there with some kerosene and a toothbrush, now it's all shiney I might not be able to say the same for my teeth tomorrow though

[TuonoTom]

Nothing wrong with a little bit of surface rust, but that means you need to oil the chain more often! I do mine about every 300-400ks. And clean it when I can be bothered (so not very often).

[Chrislost]

Having completed my first 1000k's (a little while ago actually, have been a bit lazy!) I decided it was time to clean the chain, the thing was covered in filth! So, got the bike on the centrestand and removed the front sprocket cover. In there I found about 1cm depth of grease and yuk! I wasn't best chuffed considering it was purchased on the understanding of a good service history but that's trade me for you. As I was working my way through the filth I found what looked like broken parts of chain link in there which immediately made me shit myself and start worrying about the chain; I checked the chain over and it seems to be fine, no parts missing (and now nice and clean/lubed) but I am a little worried. The washer under the front sprocket has been bent out to be flush against the retaining nut on one face of the nut but is normal the rest of the way around, is that something that shouldn't happen or is it a strange way of making sure the bolt doesn't come undone?

Also, I found a couple of very small patches of surface rust on the chain, they came away with the clean and the metal underneath was sound but I am a little worried that might continue to rust. I'll keep an eye on it of course but should I just be buying a new chain instead of making do with this one?

If you do get a new chain, make sure to do sprockets at the same time. Otherwise the old sprockets wear the new chain extra quick.
1cm of black shit isnt anything to be worried about, just scrape it out, use kerosine and a old toothbrush on the chain if you want it to shine, otherwise just spray crc on it ride up the road and back and then lube it proper.

Make sure you lube it after a ride rather then before because chainlube needs to set or it will just fling straight back off the chain,. also lube the inside so it flings THROUGH the chain rather then the outside where it will jsut flick off...

[george formby]

When you have lubed it, wipe the chain with an old carrier bag. It takes off the excess lube perfectly. Don't use to much lube either, thats money on your rim..

[huff3r]

I found some broken pieces when i cleaned the chain on my GN a few weeks ago, turned out to be pieces of the bearing casing on one link, so the two sides of the link were able to slide together and meet in the middle! Needless to say i had a new chain the next day...

I also had the whole 1cm of gunk in the front sprocket cover, made a right mess on the garage floor

[p.dath]

I also had the whole 1cm of gunk in the front sprocket cover, made a right mess on the garage floor

I used an oil drain tray under my bike last time I did it.

[tcpdump]

Yup, I got in there with some kerosene and a toothbrush, now it's all shiney I might not be able to say the same for my teeth tomorrow though

+1 for kerosene, it does magic!

I also used a toothbrush but I found by accident that a bigger brush (5cm wide, used for painting) does a 10 times better job and 10 times quicker.

[magicmonkey]

+1 for kerosene, it does magic!

I also used a toothbrush but I found by accident that a bigger brush (5cm wide, used for painting) does a 10 times better job and 10 times quicker.

heh, yeah, it did take me about an hour to do as the chain was filthy and the toothbrush was small! Looks like I might have to pop down the DIY shop on pay day and get myself a brush. Do you trim it down at all or just use it as is?

[tcpdump]

I used it as is. But it does a bit of a mess on the ground, but I don't think more than the tooth brush, the dirt is the same no matter what you use to take it off

[dogsnbikes]

As Chrislost Said lube after the ride ......... as your chain is still hot easier for the lub to settle in

As already said the kerosene is a great cleaner..be wise about wether you use a chain wax or chain oil I use a oil myself as it doesn't collect the dirt as much as a wax...example that gunk you cleaned out from behind the sprocket cover think back how grittey was it?? imagine that grinding away at your chain links

Dont be scared as long as you clean and maintain your chain your be fine

[howdamnhard]

but I am a little worried. The washer under the front sprocket has been bent out to be flush against the retaining nut on one face of the nut but is normal the rest of the way around, is that something that shouldn't happen or is it a strange way of making sure the bolt doesn't come undone?

Also, I found a couple of very small patches of surface rust on the chain, they came away with the clean and the metal underneath was sound but I am a little worried that might continue to rust. I'll keep an eye on it of course but should I just be buying a new chain instead of making do with this one?

The Chinese GN chains are rubbish and stretch really fast. Your one has likely been replaced ( hopefully with a decent aftermarket one ) . Supposed to check chain every 300km. Give it a squirt of lube just after riding and then wipe off the excess after a few minutes. When it starts looking dirty give it the clean and lube. Keep an eye on chain tension.Too loose and it can throw the chain off when can result in an off. Too tight(this only happens if you adjust it wrong) loads up the bearings and causes premature wear of chains, sprockets and bearings.
The tab washer on the front sprocket is to prevent the nut loosening off due to vibration .