Chain cleaning tip

pbracing · February 2009

I realise this might not be news to everyone, but thought I'd share my discovery non-the-less.
I soaked my chain overnight in some motocross air filter cleaner that I have. Not sure on the exact science, but it removes dirt actively- drawing it away from the foam.

Anyway thought it might do the same with the cain, and hey presto! Little rub with an old toothbrush to finish and my sludgy chain is like new. All the grit and muck sitting in the bottom of the bowl. Brilliant.

softlad · February 2009

air filter cleaner is just solvent - there's nothing special within it. Most people will just use paraffin or petrol to clean their filters with, and to be honest, that's how I clean my chain as well...

Smokin Joe · February 2009

Soaking chains in solvents disolve the internal grease between the pins and the rollers, shortening chain life. Just use a paintbrush and degreaser with the chain in situ to get the muck off the outside.

dennisn · February 2009

Smokin Joe wrote:

Soaking chains in solvents disolve the internal grease between the pins and the rollers, shortening chain life. Just use a paintbrush and degreaser with the chain in situ to get the muck off the outside.

I'm with SJ. Used to soak chains. Not anymore.Too much trouble and I don't believe it helped in any way I can put my finger on. Good wipedown with a rag once a week,
relube and go.

Dennis Noward

iain_j · February 2009

I discovered last week that squirting the chain with WD40 then dragging it through a rag gets mine squeaky clean (not literally!).

DomPro · February 2009

Smokin Joe wrote:

Soaking chains in solvents disolve the internal grease between the pins and the rollers, shortening chain life. Just use a paintbrush and degreaser with the chain in situ to get the muck off the outside.

Its true. All these degreasers just do more harm than good for the chain. Its a bit of a scam really. Just oil and wipe!

pbracing · February 2009

softlad wrote:

air filter cleaner is just solvent - there's nothing special within it. Most people will just use paraffin or petrol to clean their filters with, and to be honest, that's how I clean my chain as well...

Ha! You again! er, yes there is, and no they don't. Bye

softlad · February 2009

pbracing wrote:

softlad wrote:

air filter cleaner is just solvent - there's nothing special within it. Most people will just use paraffin or petrol to clean their filters with, and to be honest, that's how I clean my chain as well...

Ha! You again! er, yes there is, and no they don't. Bye

you feeling alright..?

Filter cleaner is not much more than just solvent, designed to shift the oil out of the filter before you wash/rinse it in soap and water.

I've been riding motocross for many years now and while filter cleaner does the job, petrol or paraffin will do just as well. Many many riders will agree with me on that. Seriously, you cannot argue that it is 'special' because it aint...

feel free to check - here's a link to the UK's biggest motocross forum - why not ask? See you over there, fella.

http://www.mxtrax.co.uk/mx-tech/forum/v ... 8?siteid=6

Wappygixer · February 2009

How can you say degreaser does more harm than good?
If you don't clean a chain all the dirt turns to an abrasive paste which will accelerate wear.
Yes soaking in degreaser will remove grease from between the pins and rollers but so will applying degreaser with a toothbrush and scrubbing, its still getting on the chain.
I always degrease in a parts washer, clean off in water, leave to dry and then apply chain lube and leave that to soak in until morning, normally hanging from one of my tress in the garden

Smokin Joe · February 2009

This is what the experts say -

http://www.kmcchain.com.tw/index.php?ln=en&fn=service#3

pbracing · February 2009

you feeling alright..?

I'm feeling good.

Can't resist, though I promise I'm not a last word freak.
It amazes me how on an annonymous forum someone can assume to have more experience than someone else. I'll give you a clue - the racing in my id isn't from cycle racing.
I think on an o-ring type motorcycle chain it's worth preserving the original grease in the rollers, but on anything else it isn't going to last in a clean state. So I think (imo) it's better to get it all out, and replace it with a good lube.
I would put the technical stuff about how dirt is 'detached', but I can't be bothered. Besides, again ime, motocross riders aren't always blessed with the greatest comprehension (check out the forums). That's why national teams and gp teams do things a bit differently- most times.

BTW, I'm super-chilled 8) Peace to all

softlad · February 2009

pbracing wrote:

It amazes me how on an annonymous forum someone can assume to have more experience than someone else.

likewise :roll: On that basis, I will confidently pit my knowledge on this topic against yours on any day of the week...

pbracing wrote:

I would put the technical stuff about how dirt is 'detached', but I can't be bothered.

seriously, I would like to see it. send me a PM if you don't want to post it here, cos it ain't really on topic for a cycle forum..

pbracing wrote:

Besides, again ime, motocross riders aren't always blessed with the greatest comprehension (check out the forums).

you utter SNOB. You are judging that forum by the quality of its english, rather than the mechanical knowledge and experience of the members. That tells me a lot...

pbracing · February 2009

you utter SNOB. You are judging that forum by the quality of its english, rather than the mechanical knowledge and experience of the members. That tells me a lot...[/quote]

I promise you I'm not, and it's nothing to do with the grammar. I agree you mustn't judge people in that way. It's years of dealings through my own bike shop and racing with them. You gotta admit there's a lot of so called rider/mechanics about that aren't that great with technical stuff.

Regarding the other stuff, if you know what you know, and I know what I know, then there's no need to go on any further. I'm sure even in boring old scientific F1 there will be strong differences of opinion between teams and engineers.

Truce?

softlad · February 2009

of course, PB..

chain cleaning threads never go well - and this one certainly seems to have deviated a little..

Wappygixer · February 2009

That KMC article just says solvents are not recommended but degreasers come in all manner of chemical make ups.
It also says to use a lube that can penetrate into the rollers which is the part people were trying to keep grease in further up the thread.

AssOs · February 2009

I must be the worst (or laziest) when it comes to washing my chain. I only washed the chain once and that was at the end on summer on my summer bike and maybe twice on my winter hack during the whole of winter covering about 100 miles a week. I use the cheapest chains from shimano and change them every year. Odd skip now and then but doesn't seem as bad as people make it out to be.

brixtonbiker66 · March 2009

error in post

brixtonbiker66 · March 2009

Have stopped using the expenisive chain lubes as you can never get them off easily when cleaning and seem to hold the road grit.

Read on here about using synsthetic engine oil. Works very well, Have to apply more often but easy to wash off and you can get rid of the salt and grit. I don't mind cleaning the chain as its such and easy job now so do it much more often. Chain comes up like new every time.

I clean it with washing up liquid and dry with towel and then spray it with GT85 , Wipe off all the black dirty gt85, spay again with gt85, dry and then oil.

Chain cleaning tip

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