Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

OK, so what do people use to degrease their chains with?
I've been thinking about using either Kero or Degreaser (TM)...
what about WD40?

Are any of these bad for the chain? Whats the best way to clean your chain?

Dr Dan

I have used WD40 but was told that its bad for the O rings so I'm just going to buy some chain cleaner.

But I didn't notice anything bad happen to the chain when I did.


mario

I've heard similar, Mario.
I think it has a detrimental affect on the O-ring of the chain, but in a long term - but I'm no mechanic so I couldnt say what it would do precisely.
So how do you clean your chain?

I use Kero, rubber gloves and a rag (that needs to be thrown out afterwards). Doing it this way is messy, so if you are like Ian and have carpet in your garage (I have a patch synthetic grass in my garage!!) you will need to place some paper or rags down on the ground as well.
Then use a paint brush to 'clean' up the mess from your bike too.
If you have a rear stand this makes cleaning your chain a breeze.
Then give your chain a good lubrication and all should be ok.

Now some say to take your bike for a quick ride to 'warm' the chain so the lubricant can work its way between the chain and orings etc
Hmmm I am unsure about this, horses for courses I suppose!

When you have finished place all your rags and gloves in the bin.

OOhhhh

When you have finished wash your bike.

I use a bit of diesel (or you can use kero) and an old toothbrush and rag.
ty

ninjaboy wrote:OK, so what do people use to degrease their chains with?I've been thinking about using either Kero or Degreaser (TM)...
what about WD40? Are any of these bad for the chain? Whats the best way to clean your chain? Dr Dan

I normally use chain lube to clean the chain
huh???
put HEAPS on and then wipe off...with the crud...
and then re-lube chain...no sweat
but
if chain is REALLY clogged with roadshit
use kero and a small brush (with an old icecream container or similar
underneath) and clean a section of chain, wipe off and then move onto the next bit of chain...
that way...kero is not getting onto the sprockets
(why??? kero is a cutting material... used in machine shops and we don't want to get it in the sprockets)
and when finally done...
re-lube with ya fave chain lube..I use Castrol 'Clear':mrgreen:

and done this way...I don't get the carpet dirty....



hth

I only lube my chain when its hot.
I find there is less throw and splatter on the wheel later


mario

Just reading a bit by Spannerman and he suggests wd 40 or similar is fine for cleaning the chain. He also said O'rings should only be lightly oiled with chain lube...

I use wd and its been fine.....

Smitty1955 wrote:that way...kero is not getting onto the sprockets
(why??? kero is a cutting material... used in machine shops and we don't want to get it in the sprockets)

You sure about that?

I thought they just used kero as a cutting lubricant because it evaporated fairly readily.

Kersoene is the stuff between petrol and diesel as far as the length of the hydrocarbon chains go... So it's going to be less abrasive than petrol and more abrasive than diesel (which is only slightly more abrasive than the rest of the oils which have progrssively longer hydrocarbon chains as they get thicker)

Thats why kero or diesel is suggested by most to clean your chain, because its basically a light oil.

he who dares question yoda

I use Kero when machining Aluminium.

WD40 contains no Kero so the can states.




mario

the book states to use kero or deisel so you dont damage the o rings

mfzx6r wrote:I use Kero when machining Aluminium.

As a lubricant?

This thread has reminded me. My bike sat in the garage for over 12months. The garage was a bit damp and when I pulled it out, my 2000km old RK chain had rust on it. Coz I like clean shiney things, I wipe the side of the chain clean after lubing it.It's only rusty on the sides, the rollers and inside links are fine. It's never been a problem coz I lube it every ride, but didn't think about it when I put it away for a while.
It still works perfectly well but looks shit. What can I do?

sounds like a job for the wd40 !
Just avoid the rollers