Topic: Cleaning O Ring Chains??? Info needed

[JohnG]

hi!
I am restoring an old 750 which has on it a very cruddy 630 O Ring chain. I'd like to clean up the chain and see if it has any life in it. I recall that there were some cleaners that were not good for O Ring chains but don't recall which.

Can you  a) put them in a parts cleaner tank?  b) use kerosene?

Any other safe methods?    The chain has grease, dirt and rust on the outside.

          thanks!
         John
         1976 750F

[BobbyR]

The chain is probably trash, but Kero or WD 40 which is mostly Kero may do the job. The problem cleaning an O ring chain is you don;t want to get the cleaner under the O Ring and wash out the lube inside.

[JohnG]

That was my feeling...that something too thin would get by the O Rings. The other fear is that the wrong stuff will attack the ORings....

I guess I will take a shot at it with the attitude of "nothing to lose" and avoid soaking it. Maybe a wire brush and minimal cleaner.

         john

[jabbadeznuts]

Go to your local shop and pick up a "Grunge Brush". Works miracles on dirty chains.

[dpen]

a soft paint brush & some diesel fuel

runthe bike for a few days then lubricate the chain as usual

[Dennis]

hi!
I am restoring an old 750 which has on it a very cruddy 630 O Ring chain. I'd like to clean up the chain and see if it has any life in it. I recall that there were some cleaners that were not good for O Ring chains but don't recall which.

Can you  a) put them in a parts cleaner tank?  b) use kerosene?

Any other safe methods?    The chain has grease, dirt and rust on the outside.

          thanks!
         John
         1976 750F

If this chain is on your '76 750F, they originally came with 530 chain.  Seems odd to have a 630 on it.

[Steve F]

No wire brush!  Old tooth brush instead or even a bristle type trim paint brush.  The wire brush will (may) damage the o-rings.  I've used mineral sprits solvent (paint thinner), dried it with a rag, and sprayed it down with HONDA chain lube for o-ring chains to keep away the rust.

[JohnG]

hi again

The 630 is actually from a 1981 DOHC   but a chain is a chain is a chain...

My understanding after reading the various replies  (and admitting that I never really understood ORing chains) is that the ORings sealed in a lubricant. I don't want to use some kind of thin cleaner that would get past the ORings and
compromise the original lubricant, as well as not physically damage the ORing with too rough of a brush. Correct?  When I lube the chaing, I am lubricating only the contact surface between the chain rollers and the sprocket.

By comparison, when I lube a conventional chain with one of these spray lubes, the stuff should actually work its way inside the rollers and onto the pins, as well as lubing the contact surface between the sprocket and the rollers.

Does this make sense?

I am tempted, if the chain is junk, for curiosity to take a few links apart and see how the internal portion held up as compared to the pretty sad outside.

                     thanks!

                      John

                     '76 750F   street bike
                     '79  750F  ex road race
                     '81  750F  project

[Steve F]

hi again

The 630 is actually from a 1981 DOHC   but a chain is a chain is a chain...

My understanding after reading the various replies  (and admitting that I never really understood ORing chains) is that the ORings sealed in a lubricant. I don't want to use some kind of thin cleaner that would get past the ORings and
compromise the original lubricant, as well as not physically damage the ORing with too rough of a brush. Correct?  When I lube the chaing, I am lubricating only the contact surface between the chain rollers and the sprocket.

By comparison, when I lube a conventional chain with one of these spray lubes, the stuff should actually work its way inside the rollers and onto the pins, as well as lubing the contact surface between the sprocket and the rollers.

Does this make sense?

I am tempted, if the chain is junk, for curiosity to take a few links apart and see how the internal portion held up as compared to the pretty sad outside.

                     thanks!

                      John

                     '76 750F   street bike
                     '79  750F  ex road race
                     '81  750F  project

I think you got it right!  My o-ring chains have been like a god-send as far as reliability, having to adjust them only (maybe) twice during their lifetime, and have enjoyed thousands of trouble-free miles.  Like I said, just wipe them clean using a rag soaked in paint thinner (watch out you don't pinch your hand in the sprocket  ) and dry the chain with a clean, dry rag.  I then spray the rollers and side plates really well using the HONDA brand o-ring chain lube.  Just keep an eye on the rollers between cleaning and re-lubing to be sure they don't run dry. I also recommend replacing the sprockets at the same time you replace the chain.
O-ring chains......I love 'em.

[Buber]

Just a little tip - works for me 

I bought cheap nad-brush, cut it in half, resulting in 2 slabs of 2cm by 4 (let's say, size is not really important). Then.. since i had the left engine cover out, i decided to do a self-cleaning thing. I screwed those bits of brush to the steel "guiding" box in such way, that the chain is constantly brushed as it comes over the sprocket. of course after some kms, (or miles) brush will be gone, but then you just get a new one, screw it on, and..... You get a pretty clean (grit, sand, other things -free) chain.

Just an idea....

[s3d1t0r]

I bought cheap nad-brush, cut it in half, resulting in 2 slabs of 2cm by 4 (let's say, size is not really important). Then.. since i had the left engine cover out, i decided to do a self-cleaning thing. I screwed those bits of brush to the steel "guiding" box in such way, that the chain is constantly brushed as it comes over the sprocket.

Is there a picture you could post to illustrate your description?  The beerz make my imagination a little sideways sometimes.

[pencil9]

RE: 630 chain, I have a '78 K model that comes from HONDA with a 630 chain and I love it!!   Holds up very well with minimal adjusting, and minimal lubrication.     Don't drag race any more but seems like it would avoid a lot of busted chain / broken cases troubles often found with the 530 chains.