Chain Cleaning

[Deer Hunter]

I have always cleaned the chain according to the manual. However, I was looking at all the brake dust etc. and the chain and started to think; what if I took a small power washer that I have and cleaned the chain. I'm not talking about putting enough force on it to damage the O rings etc. but just enough hot water to get the brake dust off. Let it dry and lube it up again.

I figure as many smart people as are on site someone else must of thought of this. Is this a good idea or I'm just lazy. OK I am lazy, but would like input. Thanks.

[Bisbonian]

Chain cleaning is one of those subjects that brings out everyone and their opinion.

Mine is that I wouldn't use water, especially pressurized water.

[Stromin'Nroman]

Thanks for the reminder.

[rcacs]

I can't imagine you would see brake dust unless you are going thru a set of brake pads per week. It is just normal road grime, dirty lube, etc.

Water is not what you want, it wont clean the chain at all.

Kerosene works great, put it in a spray bottle and give the chain a good soaking.

I place my Wee on its centre stand, engine running, bike in gear and spray the chain liberally. Using a small rubbermaid toilet-type brush (Walmart) on it as it is rotating. Once its relativally clean, I spray it with a orange based cleaner (do not use Castrol Super Clean!!!), then I rinse that off with a light water spray. I take it for a quick scoot to have the water fling off, then I lube it with either Maxima Chain Wax or Dupont Teflon spray.

I know that sounds like a lot of work, and I do it about every 2 weeks, but I get around 28,000km out of a chain.

Your mileage may vary......

Cheers!

[Super Dave]

I use a cleaning spray (O ring safe) that you just spray on leave 10 minutes and hose off. I don't recall its name but I get it from my local bike shop.
It's easy and works well.
Pressure washwers tend to push water in places were it should not be.

[Deer Hunter]

I can't imagine you would see brake dust unless you are going thru a set of brake pads per week. It is just normal road grime, dirty lube, etc.

Water is not what you want, it wont clean the chain at all.

Kerosene works great, put it in a spray bottle and give the chain a good soaking.

I place my Wee on its centre stand, engine running, bike in gear and spray the chain liberally. Using a small rubbermaid toilet-type brush (Walmart) on it as it is rotating. Once its relativally clean, I spray it with a orange based cleaner (do not use Castrol Super Clean!!!), then I rinse that off with a light water spray. I take it for a quick scoot to have the water fling off, then I lube it with either Maxima Chain Wax or Dupont Teflon spray.

I know that sounds like a lot of work, and I do it about every 2 weeks, but I get around 28,000km out of a chain.

Your mileage may vary......

Cheers!



That is exactally what I have been doing. Just looking for a better (cleaner) way. Thanks.

[Mortaine]

If your intent is to shorten the life of your chain by all means use pressured water to clean it. If you are lazy like I am you might find the Ketten Max chain cleaner & kerosene a much better way of getting the job done. www.kettenmax.com :confused: buy it here
http://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

[AGirl]

DeerHunter, get thyself a can of WD-40 & a dry rag to go alongside your favorite chain lube. Say you've just returned from smokin' the Beeline Hwy :p (meaning your chain is warm)....spray said WD-40 onto your rag then spin tire as you lightly hold the chain. If you've been running amuck in muck then use a toothbrush to get the heavy gunk off. Once clean, apply lube. Simple as that. Of course, everyone has an opinion and preference on these type of never ending recurring issues and this is just mine. Given I've easily surpassed 30k miles on each replacement chain (a DID, btw), I'm quite satisfied w/this routine on my DL1k.:thumbup:

AGirl

[Stromin'Nroman]

If your intent is to shorten the life of your chain by all means use pressured water to clean it. If you are lazy like I am you might find the Ketten Max chain cleaner & kerosene a much better way of getting the job done. www.kettenmax.com :confused: buy it here
http://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?
Danke, for the link.

Just to think; I almost sliced off my pinky jamming a scrub brush in my table saw in a futile attempt to make a similar tool.

[randyo]

my chain sees 1 drip if Dextron III ATF every 45-60 seconds while running from my scottoiler. I chose ATF to run in my scottoiler cause it is very high detergent compared to other lubricants, chain stays clean with zero maintenance. A quart lasts about 7500 miles. I only got 20k from the original 525 chain, I expect to see over 30k from a set of 530 chain & sprockets

[AncientMariner]

I use a Pro-Oiler with cheap 5W-30. I hate chain maintenance and this was my alternative.

[Deer Hunter]

Thanks for the input. I just ordered a Ketten Max. I'll let you know how easy it is to use.

[Mortaine]

Thanks for the input. I just ordered a Ketten Max. I'll let you know how easy it is to use.

Sharp scissors and trim the side brushes to the width of the inner chain link install & secure, run kerosene through the unit until it runs clean out the discharge tube. :mrgreen:

[Ches_Man]

Just purchased my Vee (in winter storage now). Haven't had to do chain maintenance for longer then I can remember (belt and shaft drive for many years up till now).

I'm looking into this tirox product http://www.tirox.ca/index.html to see how it works. Looks to be a good option, but won't be able to tell until the spring.

[DrDale]

dilute liquid dish soap - Dawn - applied with a grunge brush. Lubed with Dupont teflon multi-purpose lube. 20,000+ miles on stock chain, with almost no stretch or wear.

[kenneth_moore]

The manual says use kerosine. "Gunk" sold in auto parts stores for $1.50 per can is kerosine with some detergent in a handy spray can. Soak the chain and a all the stuff that has goop on it with Gunk and then spray it off with a hose. It won't harm paint or wires; you can use it anywhere. I usually follow with the usual car wash process and then lube the chain with o-ring specific lube.

[greywolf]

I'm against using water on chains in principle. People using it don't seem to have problems but I just don't like the idea. I'll stick to kerosene and the Kettenmax is a great way to use it.

[LowBudget]

I've been using Kerosene with a nylon brush over an oil drain pan. Wipe the chain off with rags and wait a bit for it to dry. Then hit it with O-ring chain lube once the chain has dried. Gets everything off and keeps it looking pretty good. Drain pan lets you re dip the brush so you don't need a whole lot of kerosene.:mrgreen:

[Deer Hunter]

Got the Kettenmax, it is great. Went for a ride to the local coffee shop (Cave Creek, AZ) and everyone thought the chain looked new. The great thing about the system is that you only use a very small amount of kerosene cleaning the chain and it is so easy to use. Put the bike on the center stand hook it on turn the wheel, does all the work for you. Would highly recomment it.

Thanks for the tip!!!!!