Chain cleaning made easy?

[LonestarCBR]

Anyone have a really good product or procedure for fast, easy and effective chain cleaning? My first bike without a center stand, got to pick-up at least a rear stand this weekend. Been using Honda Pro Lube for years - anything better out there now? Thanks, Terry

[milesmiles]

No easy way that I have ever found and most people uses something different to clean. As far as chain "oil" I use gold chain wax. Million times better cleaning it than before

[fixxervi6]

I use a bike stand, prop it up and throw it in neutral then give the chain a simple green soak down, let it sit, then rinse, then soak again, the I use a soft brush to brush the barrels and outside of the chain but NOT the O-rings, rinse, soak brush, repeat repeat

Dry the chain (heat it up, spin the water off etc) then I use spray on wax on the barrels only and the outside pins to protect from rust.

[milesmiles]

I pretty much do it the same way fixxer does and same products. Start taking your old socks and turn them inside out and wear them like a glove. Then get after it. Easy clean up and it gets in the hard areas

[Stardog82]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/chain-pickle/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[U-Turn]

I dribble some oil leftover from my last oil change and go.

[milesmiles]

Y'all kill me

[fixxervi6]

I don't think u turn I kidding!!

[LonestarCBR]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/chain-pickle/

Thanks Stardog 82, at the very least that should get you out of pickle when on a long trip.

Seriously, I'm giving it a try...I think.

[fixxervi6]

the chain pickle was a joke, it's not real guys don't' try it, all that salt couldn't be good on a chain

[LonestarCBR]

the chain pickle was a joke, it's not real guys don't' try it, all that salt couldn't be good on a chain

Crap, I figured if it was good for the chain, it would be good for the whole bike, and a big plus would be no one could get close enough to it to steal it without a gas mask.

[Firewa11]

I just use a rag and some WD-40. Do *NOT* use a grunge brush. I got one of those years ago and thought it was great, until I had 3-4 o-rings burst and that red powder was all over my chain (the lubricant inside the o-rings), resulting in a brand new chain being needed after only 4k miles on the chain.

[WillK675]

But be sure not to spray the WD-40 directly on the chain. Soak the rag, and wipe the chain with it. The WD-40 potentially can penetrate the o-rings if allowed to set on there.

Best thing is to soak it in kerosene, but it's a pain in the @$$

[LonestarCBR]

Kerosene is what I always used before, but it smells as bad as the dills.

[fixxervi6]

getting a meatball to do it for you is probably the easiest way to clean a chain

[Firewa11]

The WD-40 potentially can penetrate the o-rings if allowed to set on there.

From what I've read the potential for damage isn't the WD-40 liquid itself, but it's actually the propellant, since it is butane or propane based (which is why WD-40 while not flammible in liquid form makes a great flame thrower, or fuel for a potato cannon). If I recall my science one of the 'tanes can degrade the rubber of the o-rings over time, so prolonged use can damage the rings. If you spray WD-40 into a rag and then apply to the chain, you're good, as that will disperse the 'tane and allow you to apply the grunge-eating magic of WD-40 to your chain, and you're good to go.

I've tried other products, chain-cleaning specific products, but nothing does what WD-40 sprayed onto a rag can do. Like... cleaning the track-day gunk off a rear wheel rim

[LonestarCBR]

getting a meatball to do it for you is probably the easiest way to clean a chain

Well, I have to assume considering my standing in the club (or lack thereof), even a meatball can tell me to shove it (s**t runs downhill you know). I like the concept though.

On a side note (off topic), is the "meatball" page up to date. I saw stuff in the newsletter that led me to believe there were more than what is listed on the meatball list. I guess James is (heard him announce himself on Thursday night), and I think I see one more on there. Are there more? Is the "dues paying members" list complete? Just curious, trying to keep up with who's who.

[fixxervi6]

getting a meatball to do it for you is probably the easiest way to clean a chain

Well, I have to assume considering my standing in the club (or lack thereof), even a meatball can tell me to shove it (s**t runs downhill you know). I like the concept though.

On a side note (off topic), is the "meatball" page up to date. I saw stuff in the newsletter that led me to believe there were more than what is listed on the meatball list. I guess James is (heard him announce himself on Thursday night), and I think I see one more on there. Are there more? Is the "dues paying members" list complete? Just curious, trying to keep up with who's who.

It's up to date, two meatballs in the pipe

[Telomere]

Anyone have a really good product or procedure for fast, easy and effective chain cleaning? My first bike without a center stand, got to pick-up at least a rear stand this weekend. Been using Honda Pro Lube for years - anything better out there now? Thanks, Terry

I'm planning a maintenance day next month...

[Rhino]

I use the "replace it 5k miles sooner" method. Easiest maintenance possible.