Topic: cleaning chain?

[Greg]

sorry for the newbie sort of question, but....
i am cleaning my chain and the honda guy suggested using WD40, which i did.  But this is a 76, and it seems as though the chain hasnt been cleaned since it came off the production line.  WD40 is no match for the grime on this chain.  Can I use something a little tougher?  Gasoline?  Brake cleaner?  Anything else?
thanks for the advice!

greg

[Einyodeler]

Most chain manufacturers recommend a good soak in kerosene,or you can use diesel fuel.
Check out the Chain & Sprockets post in the FAQ`s section.

[cub]

In what condition is the chain? If it's old and beaten it might be time to replace it?

[Greg]

einyodeler -- thanks for the recomendation

cub -- it seems old, but i am not sure what constitutes a chain that "needs to be replaced."  what are signs of a chain gone bad? 

[Bob Wessner]

If there are any signs of rust on the exterior, you can assume there is some between the plates, rollers and pins. If there is any, replace it. This is another of the safety issues you shouldn't compromise on.

[dpen]

Little bit of effort required but I've used the following method on chains (plain & o ring) for over 30 years.
-Long brush & a container of diesel (this is greasy & non abrasive). Do not use kerosene if you have an o ring chain (you also have to wash kero off so there goes your last polishing job up the spout)
-liberally wash the chain & let it sit overnight.
-scrub the tyre with sandsoap (available from any supermarket). If you don't do this your first corner will be very interesting as there'll be lots of diesel on the tyre.
-Go for a good ride, stopping occasionally to remove any throw-off from the sidewalls of the tyre with the sandsoap.
-After a few rides you'll notice the diesel has worn off so, go for another ride.
-When you come back you'll have a nice warm chain.
-Dip a lint free rag in engine oil & ring it out until no oil drips from it (or not much)
-wipe this over all surfaces of the chain & leave overnight.
You might need the sandsoap again for your first ride but, using this method will keep your chain in top condition. When you notice the chain becoming very dirty (or you've done a fair bit of wet weather riding) do it again.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE CHAIN WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING OR THE BIKE IN GEAR (hard to use the controls with no fingers)

[Bob Wessner]

Dpen,

When I was investigating using an "O" chain, it seems most manufactures recommended kerosene as a cleaner??

[dpen]

Bob, the trouble with kero is that it is abrasive. That's why you have to hose it off after using it. This gets all those nice little drops of water and gunk between the links. Diesel can be on the chain and is cleaning and lubricating the chain whilst the bike is being ridden.
As an aside, some of my mates race dirt bikes. Whils other blokes are cleaning & oiling their chains between racs my mates merely sluice the chain with diesel, rev hell out of it (in gear) to get rid of the detritus & they're off again.

[Glenn Stauffer]

Bob, the trouble with kero is that it is abrasive. That's why you have to hose it off after using it. This gets all those nice little drops of water and gunk between the links.

Abrasive? 

Kerosene is like a lighter, more pure diesel fuel.  Diesel fuel has some lubricating qualities that kerosene doesn't have, but that's not important when you are cleaning a chain.

[Bob Wessner]

I'm puzzled also, what did you mean by Kero being abrasive??

[douglascoolgrey]

Can I use something a little tougher? Gasoline?

I used to use gasoline to clean lots of things. Ever seen someone with his face burned, neck and chest burned?

[dpen]

Sorry people. Maybe abrasive is used in the wrong context. Diesel is a "softer" compound & has better lubricating qualities than kero. That's why it can be left on the chain.

[Bob Wessner]

Gotcha. I was only passing along the recommendations to 'clean.' Lubing, particularly "O" ring chains, should be done with the proper lubricants recommended.

[dpen]

Thanks Bob, I was using "abrasive" in an engineering context, as in talking to another mechanic, not in the same vein as sandpaper etc. Kero is actually used in certain industrial applications as a cutting compound/lubricant. The lubricating properties of diesel are superior (referred to in the trade as "diesel oil", not "diesel fuel").
Anyway, give it a go-nothing to lose & heaps to gain.
By the way, the sugarsoap I mentioned is great for new tyres. A quick scrub with sugarsoap & water removes all the preservative and gunk from a new tyre thereby getting rid of most of the "sliperiness".