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Cleaning the Chain

cagedthought

cagedthought

New member
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Location
The Zae, The Humble Cali
Moto(s)
2004 Ducati 749S
I own a 2001 rg with about 17000 miles on it. I was wondering whats a good method for cleaning my chain ? and how often is this suppose to be done ? I heard cleaning your chain with WD40 and then warming up the chain (by taking it for a ride) and then spray it down with some chain wax. What is your take on this? are there any good products out there?


thanks for your time in reading this.

peace and god bless.
 
I heard cleaning your chain with WD40 and then warming up the chain (by taking it for a ride) and then spray it down with some chain wax
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I do. Except I ride it first to warm it up, then WD40 to clean it off, then chain wax.
 
do not spray wd40 onto the chain. spray it onto a rag then wipe the chain. wd40 is a solvent not a lubricant and will fuck up o ring chains if it gets into the o rings.
 
To say that WD40 isn't a lubricant isn't quite correct... It's a mixture of distillates and base oil, so it's both a lube and a solvent. Considering that Honda says to dunk the chain in a bowl of kerosene to clean the chain before lubing, WD40 is just fine.

I spray WD40 straight on the chain to clean, then spray on the chain lube.
 
PhaTeLeSS said:
do not spray wd40 onto the chain. spray it onto a rag then wipe the chain. wd40 is a solvent not a lubricant and will fuck up o ring chains if it gets into the o rings.
Click to expand...
I hope not,I've been spraying wd40 on my chains for many years.Recently switched to motorex chain clean 611, takes a lot less elbow grease to clean the rear sprocket and chain now.
 
Have you ever bought a grunge brush?
The stuff that comes with one is the best I've ever used.
Monroe used to carry it, but I don't think they do.
Bicycle shops might.

Here's a link
http://www.trisports.com/finlinecclea.html
 
PhaTeLeSS said:
do not spray wd40 onto the chain. spray it onto a rag then wipe the chain. wd40 is a solvent not a lubricant and will fuck up o ring chains if it gets into the o rings.
Click to expand...
Actually, WD-40 is completely safe on O-ring chains.

I basically do the same, warm up the chain, spray WD-40 on it and then wipe it down with a cloth. Then I'll usually let it sit for a little while so that any residual will evaporate off before spraying on chain wax. :thumbup
 
bsd43 said:
To say that WD40 isn't a lubricant isn't quite correct... It's a mixture of distillates and base oil, so it's both a lube and a solvent. Considering that Honda says to dunk the chain in a bowl of kerosene to clean the chain before lubing, WD40 is just fine.

I spray WD40 straight on the chain to clean, then spray on the chain lube.
Click to expand...

WD40 is NOT a lubricant. It is a Water Dispersing agent, combination #40, hence it's name. Due to some of its components (Petrolium Distilates) it does have SOME lubricity to it.

I myself use it STRICTY as a solvent cleaning solution. It WILL NOT harm the orings of the chain PROVIDED, you clean the chain correctly, and then lube afterwards. I myself wouldn't recomend "Chain Wax" alot of people swear by it, I myself do not like it. Fact: MOST o-ring chain makers suggest GEAR LUBE for chain lube. Wax is mostly recomended for DIRT riding, where as it is used for a barrier for water and dust.
 
Something I don't understand. Kerosene is sold at the same place as WD40. At ACE, I got a GALLON of kerosene for $5, a small sized spray bottle for $2. I have enough kerosene to last me a couple of years. I'm not sure of the going rate of WD40, but no way in hell are you going to get a gallon of it for less than $7. Chain makers even recomend kerosene. So why not use kerosene? Even people on the board say, use wd40, but if you want to do a good job, use kerosene. Why not just use kerosene?
 
No one thinks of it. Nor does anyone really want to store kerosene for a lenght of time. which is chicken poop to me as well. I have a kerosene space heater in the garage. hehe I buy kerosene.
 
Kerosene, a Grunge Brush, and a rag for the chain. The kerosene blasts through gunk and old chain lube, and is harmless to O or X-ring rubber seals. (cause it's petroleum based) Also, way cheaper than WD-40, a gallon at Home Depot will easily last 2 or more years of chain cleaning and costs around 5 bucks. As a bonus, you can also pour some on the street, light it on fire, and ride wheelies through it. Your neighbors' wife will want to have sex with you then.

I rinse off wheels with water/soap, then hit them with simple green. If I feel really ambitious, I'll use a spray on wax on the rims, after cleaning, to help prevent staining from accumulated brake dust. (especially on white wheels like I have) Gotta say, my wheels look as good as the day the I rolled it out of the dealer.


Question for everyone else, what's your favorite chain lube? I've been using PJ-1 with decent results.
 
Dopesick VFR said:
WD40 is NOT a lubricant. It is a Water Dispersing agent, combination #40, hence it's name. Due to some of its components (Petrolium Distilates) it does have SOME lubricity to it.
Click to expand...

Actually, WD40 stands for Water Displacer, 40th attempt. It took the makers 40 tries to get it right.

also, kerosene isn't the funnest thing to store around. it's highly flammable, unstable, and combustible...wd40's a little more friendly...
 
creamygoodness said:
Actually, WD40 stands for Water Displacer, 40th attempt. It took the makers 40 tries to get it right.

also, kerosene isn't the funnest thing to store around. it's highly flammable, unstable, and combustible...wd40's a little more friendly...
Click to expand...


What part of Water Dispersent, Combination #40 didn't you get ?
:teeth :cool
 
if you try to use wd40 as a lube, you will attract more dirt than anything else, and its lubricative quality isn't great. i know this from years of bicycle shop experience. use it as a solvent and that's about it if you want good results.
 
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