Cleaning chain

[1Rogue]

OK, newbie question #1.

It doesn't look like the chain on the bike I just got has ever been cleaned. It has alot of gunk. The question is, how do you clean the chain? The service manual says to inspect and clean chain when needed or at certain intervals, as well as saying to use kerosene, but it doesn't say how. I read a post here on lubing the chain but I didn't get much out on cleaning it. This may be common knowledge but I'm in the dark.

Please advise on any tools, procedures or anything extra needed. Thanks in advance.

[Bill]

First check out the post on motorcycle jack stands here in General Maintenance. It is easy to build and will prove valuable from now on as you work on and clean your bike.
I use kerosene to clean. DO NOT use gasoline. I also cover the rear tire and wood stand with a plastic bag to keep the dripping off the wheel. No need to do more cleaning than necessary. I also use a cleaning brush with stiff bristles. I bought a couple at a flea market for a dollar each. It has the wooden handle with the bristles that stick straight out from the end about 3 inches. Then it is dip in the kerosene and brush and dab the chain at the rear to clean the teeth on the sprocket too. Repeat as you turn the wheel. Then use lots of paper towels or rags to wipe down. Messy job! I keep hoping that there would be an easier and less messy way. I would not recommend buying any cleaning system with fancy expensive equipment. There just not worth the money. They only take money out of your pocket and it is still messy.
I also use chain wax but everyone has their own preference.

Cheers!

[Water Warrior 2]

Filthy chain syndrome you say. Been there done that too. To keep mess off the floor and prevent tracking the crap around I found a cheap solution. Bought a couple cheap plastic paint trays, placed them end to end under the chain a had a go at it. Kerosene and a cheap brush go a long way. Paper towels to wipe up the mess on the parts, drop into the trays when finished and slide them into a garbage bag for disposal. It is penny tech not brain surgery so just plan to wash your hands after not before. Oh yah, don't smoke, kerosene fumes could do you in.

[Bill]

I forgot - Buy some Nitrille gloves (like latex but stronger and non-allergenic). The ones I have are light blue. A nice manly color. :roll: I don't know for sure but maybe a place like Harbor Freight would have a box pretty cheap. Sure beats trying to scrub grease from under fingernails. I keep a couple of pairs in my saddle bags too for on the road (just in case - you never know when they might come in handy).

Cheers!

[1Rogue]

.. Bill and Water Warrior for the tips. That was a mess but it's done. I don't think it had been cleaned since purchase.

[Badbob]

This is how I do it.

Kerosene! Nothing works better. Diesel fuel may be cheaper and/or easier to get and its pretty much the same thing with taxes. Kerosene is also good for cleaning road grime off your wheels.

Soak the chain with kerosene. I use an acid brush for this. Cut a terrycloth towel into small pieces and wipe. When the towel gets loaded throw it away and get a clean piece. Repeat until its clean wipe it down with a dry towel and oil the chain. This is much easier to do with the chain guard removed.

I don't like brushes because they splatter oil and dirt all over. Maybe I just to clumsy. Terrycloth will get into the corners just fine. Don't use a new towel unless your into lint.

I also suggest the Nitrile gloves: http://tinyurl.com/a6pcm This is dirty work.

[1Rogue]

Yes, the hardest part of the cleaning was finding the kerosene anywhere near me. It had been so long since I bought any I didn't realize how little it is used now days.

I wish I knew the terrycloth idea before hand. While the stiff bristle brush worked well, I came back in the house looking like I showered in the grease. So evidently I am just as clumsy as you Badbob. The Nitrile gloves were a good tip too. Of course when I took them off, my hands were the only thing not gunk splattered.

After reading the post on lubing the chain I did use the towel idea soaked in oil to oil the chain. Which made it very easy.

Thanks again for all the tips!

[jonathan180iq]

Since you have it covered, I'll just add that latex gloves work well and they are disposable. A large box might run you $12 but they last forever and you can use them on other bike/car work that would otherwise leave you with oil/grease covered nails.
the blue goves are probably just as effective, but I don't think they're as cheap or disposable.

-Jonathan

[Badbob]

blue goves are probably just as effective, but I don't think they're as cheap or disposable.

Nitrile gloves are more effective than latex. Some solvents will go right through latex and some of them will destroy it in a matter of seconds. They are also more resistant to puncture and abrasion. Unfortunately solvents will eventually get through Nitrile but it takes a lot longer.

Thee are more expensive per glove but they last longer. I wait until HF puts them on sale at a good price and stock up.

I also keep Nitrile gloves under the seat on my bike. They take up almost no room and keep you from getting nasty when you need to make a roadside adjustment in the middle of no where.

[Badbob]

So evidently I am just as clumsy as you Badbob.

As I recall I ruined a shirt the first time I tried using a brush.

Some times when the chain isn't very dirty I just clean it with oil.

[Water Warrior 2]

Should have used my head earlier. Kerosene is at Walmart in the camping supplies for those of us who like building fires and such.

[Bill]

Should have used my head earlier. Kerosene is at Walmart in the camping supplies for those of us who like building fires and such.

Yeah, here in Florida it's pretty common to find it on the shelves next to the kerosene lamps especially during hurricane season. Yep, it's that time again. Time to stock up on supplies. O_o

Cheers!

[Badbob]

Should have used my head earlier. Kerosene is at Walmart in the camping supplies for those of us who like building fires and such.

I get mine at the local Shell station. They have a pump.

[1Rogue]

Should have used my head earlier. Kerosene is at Walmart in the camping supplies for those of us who like building fires and such.

That was what frustrated me. Wal-mart, gas stations, those are all the places I use to get it myself. I went or called to every walmart, camping store and local stations and no one had it. Camping seems to be going more toward a self contained canister or a "safer fuel" mixture. I stayed away from the camping fuel mix because it said not to use in kerosene lamps. I finally found it in one and five gallons at Lowes; Home Depot said they carry it in winter.

[Easy Rider]

Yes, the hardest part of the cleaning was finding the kerosene anywhere near me. It had been so long since I bought any I didn't realize how little it is used now days.

Once you get the chain fairly clean, you might want to consider Mineral Spirits in the future. Not as powerful a crud fighter as kerosene but does a reasonable job and doesn't smell up the place as bad. Always available in the paint thinner section of your local hardware of big-box store.

[Badbob]

What does mineral spirits do to the orings?

[Easy Rider]

What does mineral spirits do to the orings?

Well you got me there :??:

I don't really know but I'm ASSuming that it won't hurt them. Guess I'll find out for sure in a year or so. :cry:

I used to work in a telephone switching office and we used the stuff to clean things like the old rotary step switches, partly because it would leave behing a minute amount of lubrication. Don't remember if we used it on anything rubber (neoprene?) or not.

[RonWhitm]

I recently tackled this task but didn't want to spend a day hunting for kerosene. I had a can of pneumatic tool oil someone had given me and I figured I probably wouldn't use it for anything else so I decided, why not try, won't be any worse off than before. It worked great. I see no reason why any super lightweight oil, like 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil wouldn't be good. It cleans the crud and lubes at the same time. Finish with a proper chain oil and your done in fine order. The terry towel idea is super, I whole heartedly recommend it for cleaning and oiling.
Ron

[Badbob]

You can just clean the chain with the oil you lube it with. I don't use the kerosene unless the chain is really dirty. A piece of towel and some oil.

[RonWhitm]

I agree, but I live very near a beach. An oily chain is a sand magnet.

[Bill]

I'm 2 blocks from the ocean. that's why I use chain wax. Seems to do alright.

Cheers!

[Badbob]

We don't have anything but sand. It's not been a problem unless I get off the pavement.

[Gadzooks Mike]

I use PJ1 chain wax. The Suzuki dealer here recommended it, and it seems to work ok. With wax, you just have to watch for build-up, but if you clean it off good and then apply it right, you shouldn't have any problems.

[Badbob]

I use PJ1 chain wax.

I have used this. I stopped for several reasons:

I found it expensive when compared to oil. The oil I use costs about $2 per quart. I can get it anywhere and its something I would need even if I didn't have a bike.

Difficult to apply with out getting it on something I don't want it on.

Although the manufacturer claims it is safe for oring chains Suzuki says to use oil.

Its not available locally so I would have to order it making it cost even more. About $15.00 for a single can when you include shipping. This would decrease with a larger order but its still way more expensive than oil.

Its harder to remove than oil. Not as messy though.

Its an aerosol. I don't like aerosols. They waste a lot of the product and I'm concerned about inhaling things I don't want in my lungs. You need/should to wear eye protection to use it.

When I travel oil is relatively easy to carry and can be purchased inexpensively along the way if I should need it. A few small patches of terry cloth soaked with oil in an oil tight container will last me for a few thousand miles of riding and take up very little room. An added advantage is that you can clean your chain and lube it as well using oil. Kerosene is essentially very light oil. Assuming the chain isn't loaded with gunk that needs some kerosene to remove.

I found people who used chain wax for years and switched to oil that said their chains lasted much longer using oil.

Oil will free up sticky links. Chain wax will not. I've done this.

I'm not saying you should not use it just giving you some of my reasons for deciding not to use it after trying it for a while. I have some left if your in the local area I'll give it to you.

[jake]

in the process of cleaning my chain with kerosene, stopped for passing thunderstorm. how do you guys dispose of the dirty kerosene? doesn't seem like enough to take to a disposal site but don't want to blow up my house either. i'm such a girl.

[Gadzooks Mike]

Well, Jake, I just pour the kerosene onto a shop rag and clean the chain with it. When I'm done, I let the rag dry and if it isn't too dirty, use it again the next time. If it is too dirty, I get rid of the rag, again after it dries out some.

Bob, after all the reading here, I'm nearly convinced to change to oil for the chain. I used up my can of PJ1 and then tried the Suzuki spray (looks and seems like the same thing, but less expensive - really!) but oil just seems to make more sense. Thanks!

[El_Shorto]

Just FYI, if you burn the extra/dirty kerosene outside, you wont have a problem. It doesnt explode like gasoline, just burns. I usually burn it off a little at a time in a coffee can.

[jake]

well, mike, i must have had a real cruddy chain because i used way more than a rag and had a lot of drippage. i'm not sure this thing had ever been cleaned. maybe next time it'll be a one rag job! i wasn't sure if you could safely burn it with all of the grease and stuff in it but that sounds like a good plan. thanks!

[Badbob]

Well, Jake, I just pour the kerosene onto a shop rag and clean the chain with it. When I'm done, I let the rag dry and if it isn't too dirty, use it again the next time. If it is too dirty, I get rid of the rag, again after it dries out some.

Bob, after all the reading here, I'm nearly convinced to change to oil for the chain. I used up my can of PJ1 and then tried the Suzuki spray (looks and seems like the same thing, but less expensive - really!) but oil just seems to make more sense. Thanks!

I've been real happy with the 90W gear lube for more than a year now. When I run out of 90W I'm going to try some 140W.

I started with PJ1 (Blue I think) I never finished the can.

[Badbob]

Just FYI, if you burn the extra/dirty kerosene outside, you wont have a problem. It doesnt explode like gasoline, just burns. I usually burn it off a little at a time in a coffee can.

I've done this many times, but now I just pour it into my waste oil containers.

Most of the time I just wet the towel with it so the only dirty kerosene in on the towel which thrown it out.

[cleensmoke666]

my bike just hit 930 odd miles got my break in service at 720 i have never oiled or cleaned it i bought it new should i do this lube or and clean or can i wait a while

[jonathan180iq]

yes its time to clean your chain you should do it now and not wait any longer in the future please write with punctuation because it is very hard to comprehend what someone is trying to say when they write without it dont you think

:roll:

Seriously though, to answer your question, I'd say "yes". You should probably go ahead and do it. You cannot over do it. When in doubt, lube it.

[El_Shorto]

cleaning and lubing the chain is about 20 minutes worth of work if you know what youre doing. I live in an apartment complex, with no garage, and it doesnt take me much longer than that to clean, lube and clean up. road debris and dirt on the chain will eventually wear down your critical parts and gum up everything mechanical, so it's definitely something that needs to be done regularly. I ride around town most of the time and clean my chain about every 200 miles. However, if I go on a long ride (150+ miles in one go) I always clean it thoroughly afterward. A clean chain is a healthy chain :D