How To: Clean/Lube Chain

[patw]

I strayed a bit from my usual riding videos and made a how-to last night. The setup had 2 cameras (Flip video, Point-n-shoot Samsung camera), a spot light (desk lamp) a gorilla mount and the Flip mounted on a broomstick with bungees.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[miks]

Good vid mate, heres some extra tips to make things a little easier. I just cleaned and lubed my chain today and found that removing the chain guard makes it easier to clean the chain and also theres usually a heaps of grease and grime under the guard so clean that out. I also removed the front sprocket cover to clean the front sprocket and all the crap inside there, and being that it was the first time cleaning the front sprocket in 8000kms there was heaps of grime and grease in there, so I'd suggest cleaning that once in a while.

[patw]

That's a great idea Mike. I took a look inside the front sprocket cover and sure enough it looks like hell in there. Time for some additional WD-40

[austexjg]

Must be nice to work outside with a light and have minimal bug attraction.

[Alex]

/linked to DIY thread

[BIGT94z]

awesome vid nice job and will help others im sure!

[patw]

Very cool. Glad it's useful to someone

[gaby]

I actually took of my chain guard completely, I think it looks better and also easier to clean. I clean my chain differently though.

[harlumjp]

after how many miles do you think this should be done?

[kkim]

Originally Posted by harlumjp

after how many miles do you think this should be done?

your owner's manual says every 400 miles.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by harlumjp

after how many miles do you think this should be done?

Here ya go!

[keeyu]

Cool.

[harlumjp]

Thanks, wow I better get on that then lol. I'm around 1,500 miles on the bike...My dealership did the 600 mi. service so I am assuming they lubed it then.

BTW I need a rear stand for the bike because the thought of lubing the chain w/out that seems like a pain. How much should one of these cost me? Any recommendations for online purchasing?

[CC Cowboy]

They make a brush that works well.

[lux]

Originally Posted by harlumjp

... BTW I need a rear stand for the bike because the thought of lubing the chain w/out that seems like a pain. How much should one of these cost me? Any recommendations for online purchasing?

GPI Industries' stands seem to be well rated and inexpensive. www.gpiindustries.com

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

They make a brush that works well.

This? www.tirox.ca

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/tirox...-chain-cleaner

Thank you to the OP.

[Ryosen11]

Originally Posted by lux

This? www.tirox.ca

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/tirox...-chain-cleaner

I started using the Tirox recently and I love it. So much easier and quicker.

[CC Cowboy]

I like the 3 sided brush with the long handle.

[mrlmd]

I haven't watched this in a looong time but there is a much easier way to maintain your chain after you clean it.
And don't forget, WD-40 is OK for CLEANING, but not for LUBRICATION of a chain. It leaves a sticky residue and won't last very long. Thar stuff is better for loosening rusty bolts or stuck cables, then you have to lube with something else.

Use Dupont Teflon spray lube, blue can, avail. at Walmart, Lowes, Home Dept, Ace Hardware, etc, etc. Spray it on the chain with the straw. Is is clean, no mess, does not attract dirt or have dirt stick to it, no greasy messy cleanup each time. A can is about $8-9, will last for a year or more if you spritz the chain once a month or so.
I have been using it for a few years on two different bikes, many others on numerous other bike websites also recommend it, and all I can say is that it works great and is very clean and easy to apply and the chain lasts as long as any other greasy oily stuff you put on, maybe longer because there's no grit or dirt buildup in the grease that most people use on the chain.
It makes your life a whole lot easier instead of into a difficult dirty chore that tends to get ignored. Try it, you'll like it.

[bob706]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

Use Dupont Teflon spray lube

+1000. That stuff is the shiznit

[lux]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

... Use Dupont Teflon spray lube, blue can, avail. at Walmart, Lowes, Home Dept, Ace Hardware, etc, etc. Spray it on the chain with the straw. Is is clean, no mess, does not attract dirt or have dirt stick to it, no greasy messy cleanup each time. A can is about $8-9, will last for a year or more if you spritz the chain once a month or so.
I have been using it for a few years on two different bikes, many others on numerous other bike websites also recommend it, and all I can say is that it works great and is very clean and easy to apply and the chain lasts as long as any other greasy oily stuff you put on, maybe longer because there's no grit or dirt buildup in the grease that most people use on the chain.
It makes your life a whole lot easier instead of into a difficult dirty chore that tends to get ignored. Try it, you'll like it.

Some links for reference:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...n-chain-saver/

http://www.lowes.com/pd_213197-39963...3FNtt%3Dteflon

[bob706]

DuPont Teflon Chain Saver is the stuff I got from walmart. Good stuff

[dubojr1]

Anyone else using this stuff? I love it!!!

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/amh.aspx

[patw]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

I haven't watched this in a looong time but there is a much easier way to maintain your chain after you clean it.
And don't forget, WD-40 is OK for CLEANING, but not for LUBRICATION of a chain. It leaves a sticky residue and won't last very long. Thar stuff is better for loosening rusty bolts or stuck cables, then you have to lube with something else.

Use Dupont Teflon spray lube, blue can, avail. at Walmart, Lowes, Home Dept, Ace Hardware, etc, etc. Spray it on the chain with the straw. Is is clean, no mess, does not attract dirt or have dirt stick to it, no greasy messy cleanup each time. A can is about $8-9, will last for a year or more if you spritz the chain once a month or so.
I have been using it for a few years on two different bikes, many others on numerous other bike websites also recommend it, and all I can say is that it works great and is very clean and easy to apply and the chain lasts as long as any other greasy oily stuff you put on, maybe longer because there's no grit or dirt buildup in the grease that most people use on the chain.
It makes your life a whole lot easier instead of into a difficult dirty chore that tends to get ignored. Try it, you'll like it.

My bottle of Chain Wax is almost out, I'll try out the Teflon based one. It sounds like it's cheaper than the stuff I'm using anyways.

[TrueFader]

i use i think mazima, chain lube and wax, works fine for me. and i use a rag not paper towels or a fancy brush... if the brush were free i'd probably use it

[patw]

Originally Posted by TrueFader

i use i think mazima, chain lube and wax, works fine for me. and i use a rag not paper towels or a fancy brush... if the brush were free i'd probably use it

You don't find your rag gets completely saturated with grease? I use paper towels because they can soak up a ton of crap.

[Suave]

you dont want to dispose of those wrags like that. put it in a metal waste bin (every garage should have one). Wrapping up chemical/greasy/oily wrags can cause them to spontaneously combust, and no, I'm not making that up. I've seen it happen in my shop class, both a plastic trash can on fire and a metal waste bin smoking because of all the chemicals reacting inside of it. Do not wrap them in a grocery bag, for the love of god, trust me .

[jamesio]

here's a question, when you clean and lube your chain how much lube are you supposed to use? I have the dupont stuff and i like it a lot. i am just wondering if i am using too much of it.

[Mountain Dew]

The brush someone was talking about earlier is The Grunge Brush

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...e_Grunge_Brush

Most motorcycle places have it in stock.

[5evenz]

Thats my toothbrush

[MotoED]

Great video! Very useful info!

[reaubideux]

Originally Posted by jamesio

here's a question, when you clean and lube your chain how much lube are you supposed to use? I have the dupont stuff and i like it a lot. i am just wondering if i am using too much of it.

I'd bet that unless you're talking about trying to conserve your chain lube and not wasting it, I don't think you can really use too much and over-lubricate your chain. If there's too much lubricant that the o-rings are saturated and there's no crevices for the lubricant to seep into then the excess will simply drip off the chain.

I'd say I probably go a little overboard on my chain when lubing it. I use the DuPont stuff as well and I'll spray the top (outside-facing side) of the chain from the back of the bike where it rolls over the rear sprocket and then I'll spray the inside (inward-facing side) down where it goes under the rear swingarm by the kickstand. I spray enough that it soaks the chain then let it sit for 15-20 minutes or so before wiping off the excess and there's always little puddles underneath from where it's dripping off.

[KawiKid860]

Thanks for this! just cleaned and lubed my chain for the first time, was pretty easy but working around the left side exhaust can was a PITA I want a 2-1 exhaust now.

[patw]

The video shows a 2008+ model, they only have one exhaust

Thanks for the DIY vid. Gonna stock up on WD40 and the DuPont Teflon spray from Walmart and try cleaning my chain in a week or so.

[patw]

Originally Posted by metabolism

Thanks for the DIY vid. Gonna stock up on WD40 and the DuPont Teflon spray from Walmart and try cleaning my chain in a week or so.

I can't believe people still look at this thread. Awesome

Originally Posted by patw

I can't believe people still look at this thread. Awesome

It's a must read thread IMO haha

[Alex]

Originally Posted by metabolism

Gonna stock up on WD40 and the DuPont Teflon spray from Walmart

Make sure to review this more recent thread:

DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - Formulas have changed

Originally Posted by Alex

Make sure to review this more recent thread:

DuPont Teflon Chain Lube - Formulas have changed

Thanks!

[Kokosun]

I tried Wurth Chain and Brake Cleaner yesterday. I bought this because I was being lazy and I saw lots of really great reviews. My chain was looking grubby and the idea of spray, wipe and done was very attractive. So, I bought the combo cleaner, lube and cleaning brush.

I removed the chain guard, went for a fifteen minute ride to warm up the chain, stuck the bike on the stand and got spraying. Dirt was definitely coming off and I was pleased. I left it for about ten minutes and then sprayed the chain again and used the cleaning brush. More dirt came off. Great! I finished the job by spraying the last of the can onto a lint-free cloth as I wiped the chain. A little more dirt came off. 15-minutes after I started, I was done.

The only problem was, the chain wasn't really clean. It looked "OK", but between the links and around the 'o' rings I could see dirt.

After sighing heavily, I did what I should have done in the first place. I got a jar of paraffin/kerosene, an old toothbrush and (another) cloth and started cleaning the chain properly. This time it took me about 30-minutes, but at the end of it the chain really was clean.

Summary; I think that the Wurth stuff is good for a 'quick' clean, but it really isn't good enough. Paraffin/kerosene is cheaper and better. It takes about two to three times as long to clean with paraffin, but if you load up a good album on your MP3 player, take a deep breath, and get focused on the job, it's actually quite good therapy. Also, if I hadn't waited 1,200 miles since the last time I cleaned it, it would have been easier still.

[Malicious Logic]

Originally Posted by Kokosun

I tried Wurth Chain and Brake Cleaner yesterday. I bought this because I was being lazy and I saw lots of really great reviews. My chain was looking grubby and the idea of spray, wipe and done was very attractive. So, I bought the combo cleaner, lube and cleaning brush.

I removed the chain guard, went for a fifteen minute ride to warm up the chain, stuck the bike on the stand and got spraying. Dirt was definitely coming off and I was pleased. I left it for about ten minutes and then sprayed the chain again and used the cleaning brush. More dirt came off. Great! I finished the job by spraying the last of the can onto a lint-free cloth as I wiped the chain. A little more dirt came off. 15-minutes after I started, I was done.

The only problem was, the chain wasn't really clean. It looked "OK", but between the links and around the 'o' rings I could see dirt.

After sighing heavily, I did what I should have done in the first place. I got a jar of paraffin/kerosene, an old toothbrush and (another) cloth and started cleaning the chain properly. This time it took me about 30-minutes, but at the end of it the chain really was clean.

Summary; I think that the Wurth stuff is good for a 'quick' clean, but it really isn't good enough. Paraffin/kerosene is cheaper and better. It takes about two to three times as long to clean with paraffin, but if you load up a good album on your MP3 player, take a deep breath, and get focused on the job, it's actually quite good therapy. Also, if I hadn't waited 1,200 miles since the last time I cleaned it, it would have been easier still.

Not sure what this Paraffin/kerosene stuff you're talking about is. Is this O-ring safe or just random chemicals? o.O I personally use the DuPont chain degreaser along with their cleaning brush and it looks fine to me. I'm sure my standard of a clean chain may be different than others though.