Chain Cleaning

[Johnnie5]

It's really only a 5 minute job... especially if you do it regularly.

it depends how fussy u are. u can spend hours get the chain clean

i its taking you hours then a couple of reasons

a bloody long time between cleaning

and you need some lessons on cleaning

with the commuting i have been doing lately its been about 400k between lube and its prob a little more kays than they lube likes as its starting to look rather dry and a bit of dust hanging about , combine witha bit of wet weather doesnt help

up on the race stand

a quick spray with WD40 , a wipe with the rag , then a spray of the lube , check the tyre condition and pressures and ready for next weeks commute , oh and a quick spray and wipe over of the rims to keep em clean and shiny

when the chain was filthy from not being lubed from the previous owner

i put on the stand
removed the counter sprocket cover
ran bike in gear
$2 degreaser
brush
hose
done

huzzah brand new chain again

all in about 5 mins

[mfzx6r]

you cleaned that chain yet Mick ??????????

[Johnnie5]

i just spent my 5 mins doing the chain

that included bringing the bike through the gate into the back yard as well as stopping the dogs from running away

clean chain, apply lube, hey wtf ? who stole my chain link clip , it was there on sunday

ah well here is the one i found the other day in the toll box, bit of silastic on it as well, all good

[mick_dundee]

you cleaned that chain yet Mick ??????????

Nope been working, wanna clean the bastard though before I l;ube it ideally but given that I have a 12 hour day the next 2 days I reckon i'll just lube the bastard and be done with it.

[mick_dundee]

Update: Finally got it done, used the paintbrush and kero, more acuurate less shit everywhere, or at least that was hte theory, think I need a high pressure washer now to get the shit off the footpath..

Does a reasonable job of cleaning brake dust off the rims too Relubed chain so we should be right for a bit, take it gently tomorrow as the rear tire is an oil slick I reckon and not sure about the brake disc for that matter

[mrmina]

It's really only a 5 minute job... especially if you do it regularly.

it depends how fussy u are. u can spend hours get the chain clean

i its taking you hours then a couple of reasons

a bloody long time between cleaning

and you need some lessons on cleaning

well it ages to do mine the first time. to be exact it was about 2 years since its last clean

[mick_dundee]

Update part 2: Cleaned the bastard, lubed the bastard now have a knock somewhere that is only audble when i'm slowing down, reckon chain must be hitting the guard or something, that's tomorrow's job to nut out.

[Neka79]

Update part 2: Cleaned the bastard, lubed the bastard now have a knock somewhere that is only audble when i'm slowing down, reckon chain must be hitting the guard or something, that's tomorrow's job to nut out.

could be a tight spot from lack of cleaning....

[Saki]

Kero + Toof brush + rag

One good idea i had was get a sprey bottle. You know those little hand spreyer bottles that you usually sprey plants with!

With fill it with kero sprey the chain down and get stuck in with the toof brush. use the rag to just generally whip stuff down

then you are laughing!

[mick_dundee]

Update part 2: Cleaned the bastard, lubed the bastard now have a knock somewhere that is only audble when i'm slowing down, reckon chain must be hitting the guard or something, that's tomorrow's job to nut out.

could be a tight spot from lack of cleaning....

But wouldn't I have heard it then PRIOR to clenaing said chain? Anyways relubed it see how it goes I guess. Take it for a spin tonight prior to taking it to the arse end of the world somewhere

[Neka79]

Update part 2: Cleaned the bastard, lubed the bastard now have a knock somewhere that is only audble when i'm slowing down, reckon chain must be hitting the guard or something, that's tomorrow's job to nut out.

could be a tight spot from lack of cleaning....

But wouldn't I have heard it then PRIOR to clenaing said chain? Anyways relubed it see how it goes I guess. Take it for a spin tonight prior to taking it to the arse end of the world somewhere

depends how well u cleaned it...

have u adjusted it?? thats ussually the 1st thing to do...

[mick_dundee]

Was adjusted like just before the Vic Alps ride, doesn't seem tight at all, relubed it so see how it goes tomorrow

[Neka79]

Was adjusted like just before the Vic Alps ride, doesn't seem tight at all, relubed it so see how it goes tomorrow

depending on the age mate, should be adjusted prob every 500-1000km or so..well at least checked ...

[Grasshopper]

OK. this is the method i use for chain maintenance.
(and posted on another forum)

i understand and acknowledge this does not apply to bikes ridden in dirt and mud, where different rules apply.

i take no resposibility if your bike falls off the stand, you paint the back wheel with kero and fall off, you get caught chokka up the neighbour, the EPA get you, the water restriction guy gets you etc. etc.

1. bike on race stand.
2. paintbrush on the kero generously, loosening any crud with a dishbrush/toothbrush incl. around the rear sprocket. (front one too if you're really pedantic - some dissassembly usually required)
3. let it sit a minute or so (get rest of cleaning stuff ready for rest of bike) then spray chain with the hose while spinning the rear wheel by hand to wash any residual grit away.
4. wash bike (well, at least the back wheel. it will have kero and sh*te on it)
5. start 'er up, into gear, give it a little blip of throttle (holding on front brake, just in case) to throw off water.
6. then do the spray on lube bit. not too much. to inside of chain - plates + rollers.
7. use a bit of cardboard to stop overspray of lube onto concrete, rear wheel and swingarm.
8. adjust chain if req.
9. slag off those too slack/uncaring to do the same.

my record is 67,000 K on original chain/sprockets on VFR 750. Commuting, track days, touring.