Chain Cleaning

[mrfadz]

Hi,

What do u guys use to clean the chain?

[AbangKau]

Can use kerosene, dissolves the black grease and grime.. Usually can get from DIY shops like Homefix etc.

[AbangKau]

Im guessing you just got a new FZ-16?

[mrfadz]

yeap true.u riding it also ah?

[mrfadz]

as for the kerosene, i can use it directly on the chain itself right.sorry ah.kinda noob

[AbangKau]

Haha nope, I'm riding an RXK now.

 

Yep the kerosene just pour on the chain bit by bit and clean with cloth and brush. Be sure to scrub in the chain links and be as detailed as possible along the whole length of chain, cos it's mainly the linkage and rings between each chain link that wear and tear.

 

Just be careful not to spill any kerosene on any paintwork or nice shiny parts!

[mrfadz]

ok thank you bro!

[Constructicon]

I used to use kerosene + brush method.

Took me 30minutes+++ to get the crap out. Back breaking stuff.

 

But nowadays, I use this:

 

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQf85hCRrDJ9tS_rcQQ657rS7hTrdqerdJaj6fqUibFqiAIJPUv

 

Bought at Motoworld, ard $50? Cant remember the exact price.

Now, cleaning the chain just take about 5 mins or less.

Easy, fuss free and the same end result.

[alanyeo36]

Clean wit a wd40 n a toothbrush oso can...I just clean my chain yesterday..

[mrfadz]

ok thanks for the info.appreciate it.

Just wondering, where u guys buy the cleaning cloth for our bikes?and how to make it shine like new?

[Constructicon]

ok thanks for the info.appreciate it.

Just wondering, where u guys buy the cleaning cloth for our bikes?and how to make it shine like new?

 

For polishing of bikes, use microfibre cloths.

No need to go for those exp ones, I have been using those 3 for $2 ones at those $2 shops.

 

Wash the bike, let it dry and polish. Sometimes I let the engine run for a while to heat up the bike to make it dry faster.

[karmatrix]

use wd40 to go through the whole chain, let it soak for a while... use a rag and wipe through, repeat 1-2 more time and your chain will look like brand new. works as a light lube too.

[kifakw]

WD40 is a nono for chain. it will damage the O ring and X ring.

[karmatrix]

WD40 is a nono for chain. it will damage the O ring and X ring.

 

Numerous people have done testing on o-rings with wd40 and found no adverse effects.

http://www.endorphin-express.com/dod/o-rings-solvents.html

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/534631-does-wd40-hurt-o-rings-a-test/

[CSV]

there has also been reports of wd40 drying out the grease.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/

 

all the way at the bottom of the page.

 

anyway, same rules apply. it's your bike, just be prepared for anything.

[Epsilon]

WD40 is a penetrant/cleaner, it 'absorbs' the dirt/grime etc, apply and wipe off in a short while, use a suitable lube after it has been cleaned off. It is not a lube, initial application of WD40 may appear to have lubing effects, but it will dry quick and you end up with no lube at all and only dirt left. Not suitable for o-rings, sealed bearings etc, as you're obviously not able to open up the chain and clean off the WD40 in each individual o-ring, during regular chain maintenance. I ride bicycles and a couple of friends used WD40 on their chains, their chains quickly became creaky and rusty after each and every single change, asked them what lube they used, i hear WD40 i shake my head loh... But of course it's your own bike, you are free to believe in what you want and do what you want.

 

EDIT: Read the articles karmatrix posted, they simply test whether the o-rings ALONE get damaged. I don't disagree as I do not have my own tests done to prove otherwise. But note that they ASSUME that WD40 etc is not able to penetrate the o-rings on a chain and dilute the internal lube, assuming so WITHOUT any tests, so it is still highly possible for the o-ring to be penetrated and have the internal lube diluted, since they did not prove otherwise. From this, I would say that the likes of WD40 do not damage o-rings directly at all, but most likely penetrate and dilute the internal lube instead, thus with diluted internal lube, the o-rings get damaged. So WD40 is a indirect cause of damage. Hope I am right to say so. Peace yo.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Epsilon

[ezzyoiler]

wd 40 is not a chain lube...

its main purpose is to loosen jam /stuck bolts and nuts...metal fasterners...

 

lubrication??.

well if wd 40 is good for lubing chain ....singer oil will be good too...

 

unles you intend to lube your bike chains every kilometer....dont use.

i should say...wd 40 bad chain lube

Edited August 15, 2012 by ezzyoiler

[ezzyoiler]

WD-40's formula is a trade secret. The product is not patented, to avoid completely disclosing its ingredients.^[2][4] WD-40's main ingredients, according to U.S. Material Safety Data Sheet information, are:

• 51% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
  
• 25% liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
  
• 15+% mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
  
• 10-% inert ingredients
  

The German version of the mandatory EU safety sheet lists the following safety-relevant ingredients:

• 60–80% heavy naphtha (petroleum product), hydrogen treated
  
• 1–5% carbon dioxide
  

It further lists flammability and effects to the human skin when repeatedly exposed to WD-40 as risks when using WD-40. Nitrile rubbergloves and safety glasses should be used. Water is unsuitable for extinguishing burning WD-40.

There is a popular urban legend that the key ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil.^[5] However, the WD-40 web site states that it is a petroleum based product.^[6]

 

^{the specs....as above/ indicates 15% light oil...you want to lube your chains with this??}

[superspeed123]

I have been using WD40,RP7, 3M lubricants on my bike chains for the past few years. I find no adverse effects on my chains at all . Chain still look as good as new. I believe the key to long lasting chain is regular cleaning and lubing of the chain . U must also clean the front and rear sprockets too .

[ezzyoiler]

WD-40's formula is a trade secret. The product is not patented, to avoid completely disclosing its ingredients.^[2][4] WD-40's main ingredients, according to U.S. Material Safety Data Sheet information, are:

• 51% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
  
• 25% liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
  
• 15+% mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
  
• 10-% inert ingredients
  

The German version of the mandatory EU safety sheet lists the following safety-relevant ingredients:

• 60–80% heavy naphtha (petroleum product), hydrogen treated
  
• 1–5% carbon dioxide
  

It further lists flammability and effects to the human skin when repeatedly exposed to WD-40 as risks when using WD-40. Nitrile rubbergloves and safety glasses should be used. Water is unsuitable for extinguishing burning WD-40.

There is a popular urban legend that the key ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil.^[5] However, the WD-40 web site states that it is a petroleum based product.^[6]

 

^{the specs....as above/ indicates 15% light oil...you want to lube your chains with this??}

• 51% Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits: primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
  
• 25% liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
  
• 15+% mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
  
• 10-% inert ingredients
  

note..more than half its content is solvent..25 % propellant 10% inert ingredients...

wow just imagine mixing solvents and lube oil....what do you have?? you still want to use this as a lube...

i salute you...

anyway wd 40 is not cheap...as a cleaner it still cost a bundle to use ...

[AbangKau]

I still find kerosene the most effective.

 

Especially at $5 per bottle (beer bottle size), which can maybe give two cleaning sessions, if you don't anyhow splash and pour.

[ezzyoiler]

hexane...this is one very strong solvent..

mainly used to extract oil from say.. soya bean..

after crushing of soya bean ,,,left the sediments...then further extracton of oil with hexane...

 

this hexane is highly volatile...part of wd 40..

in general...our bike chains should avoid solvents...and if used make sure the chains are properly flush with water to remove it..

most if not all rubber components cannot withstand solvents...

(ask any chemist or chemical engineer...any around??? would like to hear your opinion...)

[KillerTzm]

I still find kerosene the most effective.

 

Especially at $5 per bottle (beer bottle size), which can maybe give two cleaning sessions, if you don't anyhow splash and pour.

 

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[naim]

I still find kerosene the most effective.

 

Especially at $5 per bottle (beer bottle size), which can maybe give two cleaning sessions, if you don't anyhow splash and pour.

 

if u search ard hard enuf, can find as cheap as $2+. in fact one beer bottle can last me a year (cleaning at least once a month). put inside a spray bottle so that u don pour n waste. dun need a lot one.

[ezzyoiler]

I still find kerosene the most effective.

 

Especially at $5 per bottle (beer bottle size), which can maybe give two cleaning sessions, if you don't anyhow splash and pour.

 

kerosene is widely recommended by chains/bike manufacturer for cleaning chains...but you still need to flush chains with water after you have done cleaning.

. but i am not surprise if flushing is not done...