Best way to clean a chain?

metbandit1

metbandit1

metbandit1

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Ok so ive ridden my bike through most of winter regularly cleaning/lubing the chain. But even with my regular regime in the past week it has become really rusty. what the best way to clean all of the rust off of the chain?
i dont want to have to buy a new chain early if this has anoter 10000 miles in it
 
Whut? Your regime aint worked if its rusty!
Surface rust comes off with wd40, stiff brush, soap and water and then a through re oiling/dry lube to make sure the o rings and links are lubed.
Check for stiff links after the clean and lube the links additionally.
 
What you using to grease up your chain? My chain never really rusted up, even over winter riding with proper application of lube.
 
Spray WD40 onto a rag and wipe ;)

DO NOT be tempted to put the bike in first and spin the back wheel whilst holding rag to the chain, ouch :eek:

(Video on the net somewhere of a nasty injury)
 
I can image the dude who done above got his fingers caught in the chain/sprocket and lost his fingers?

I need to learn how to keep my chain rust free :) as A moped wanted to race me and my chain feell off and wrapped around the sprocket :(

but all is good :) new chain and sprockets :) just need to keep them clean ;)
 
domthecondom said:
I can image the dude who done above got his fingers caught in the chain/sprocket and lost his fingers?

I need to learn how to keep my chain rust free :) as A moped wanted to race me and my chain feell off and wrapped around the sprocket :(

but all is good :) new chain and sprockets :) just need to keep them clean ;)
Click to expand...

Chains don't fall off because they have a bit of surface rust, they fall off due to extreme wear of chain and sprockets coupled with incorrect tension. Basically complete lack of maintenance.

Clean, lubricate and adjust your chain as required, and replace chain and sprockets when worn and this simply won't happen.
 
Its best not to use WD40* on chains but if you have no chain cleaner then as above spray the WD40 onto a rag and wipe it on.
I would just use some wire wool and rub off the surface rust then get some decent chain lube on it.

If its really bad and its quite a new chain then take it off and soak in in a bucket of engine oil :)


*There are people who say that it does / does not damage the o-Rings but if there is any doubt with the thing that spins extremely fast next to my foot then I would rather not :p
 
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A proper clean maybe a few times a year, if it is kept lubed properly it wont need cleaning that much, all you will need to do is rub off the crud on the side of the chain if you want it looking shiny, which you will do if you have a gold chain :p
I used to clean the side of the chain every time I washed the bike so once a month.
 
You never spray WD40 directly onto a chain , but onto a rag first so minimising potential damage to o rings or x rings. This method just cleans the outside of the chain.

Its a great degreaser and crud remover also saves hours of damaging wire brushing. When finished apply Wurth Dry Chain Lube , take it for a spin to get the chain warm then reapply , sorted ;)
 
ill try the WD 40 then and see how it goes :)

my regime usually works but i think its because i cleaned/lubed it and then rode it in the wet and left it for 2 weeks. which caused it.
 
Dogbreath said:
Chains don't fall off because they have a bit of surface rust, they fall off due to extreme wear of chain and sprockets coupled with incorrect tension. Basically complete lack of maintenance.

Clean, lubricate and adjust your chain as required, and replace chain and sprockets when worn and this simply won't happen.
Click to expand...

i forgot to metion :P that was the case ;)
 
Buy some Wurth Brake and Chain Cleaner, the sheer power of the can and the substance inside blasts away all of the dirt from the chain and makes it look new. But you can easily go through a full can if you're not carful. A quick one coat, a scrub with a chain cleaning brush, then another blast with the can and it will look mint. Apply your lube as per normal, recommend Wurt Dry Lube too, great stuff and not messy at all, chains tends to need to be warm for it
 
If WD40 damages O-rings, they must be making them out of paper mache. I'd almost guarantee this is some internet rumour that has started somewhere.
 
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