Chain cleaning / lubing..Help!

[Stillblunted]

How often does this need to be done. How is it done as well?

[LegB4Wicket]

Normally every 650 to 750km. If I'm out in the rain, then I clean and lube as soon as I get back home.

This might help get you started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNSGE...eature=related

[edbro]

I try and do it every 300 miles or so. Sometimes earlier if I got caught out in rain.

[tapdiggy]

That video bothers me. Great advice in the cleaning section, but holding a rag to the chain while spinning the wheel, even by hand, can get the rag and/or your hand jammed up in the sprockets. It is better to wipe it down length by length, turning the wheel to advance the chain but stopping on each length and not just spinning it up. Then, when applying the lube, it is advisable to protect your tire and the ground from splatter. Chain lube is obviously slippery and makes everything it touches slicker.

[dubojr1]

Your owners manual says every 400 miles. I do recommend more often if you encounter any rain while riding though.

[CThunder-blue]

I had to clean the chain after I made a subwoofer box my my little brother's car. Even with a bike cover the dust found it's way onto the chain. I followed that video's instructions my first time lubing the chain (that sounded dirty lol) and it worked out well. I went with the Motul products as well. The video is a great advertisement for Motul. hah. I would agree with tapdiggy about covering up the rear tire somehow. Also, put a rag under the front sprocket.

[Mike1357]

I use a mild degreaser like Simple Green and wipe the chain down then follow up with Maxima chain wax. To keep everything clean, take a pizza box lid or any cardboard and I cut a U shape out of it. Oh, and I wax the chain everytime I wash the bike (which is pretty often)

[Stillblunted]

Originally Posted by Mike1357

I use a mild degreaser like Simple Green and wipe the chain down then follow up with Maxima chain wax. To keep everything clean, take a pizza box lid or any cardboard and I cut a U shape out of it. Oh, and I wax the chain everytime I wash the bike (which is pretty often)

what kind of wax do you use?

[kkim]

Originally Posted by Stillblunted

what kind of wax do you use?

as he said... Maxima chain wax.

[bob706]

Originally Posted by tapdiggy

That video bothers me. Great advice in the cleaning section, but holding a rag to the chain while spinning the wheel, even by hand, can get the rag and/or your hand jammed up in the sprockets. It is better to wipe it down length by length, turning the wheel to advance the chain but stopping on each length and not just spinning it up. Then, when applying the lube, it is advisable to protect your tire and the ground from splatter. Chain lube is obviously slippery and makes everything it touches slicker.

+1

[mrlmd]

Here we go again. Use Dupont Teflon Spray Lube, then you won't have to clean the chain and get all messy. Spray it every month or so depending on how far you ride and you'll be fine, with a clean lubed chain.

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

Here we go again. Used Dupont Teflon Spray Lube, then you won't have to clean the chain and get all messy. Spray it every month or so depending on how far you ride and you'll be fine, with a clean lubed chain.

That seems a little lax for chain maintenance.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by tapdiggy

That seems a little lax for chain maintenance.

+1

[mrlmd]

That's the whole point. While it may seem lax to you, mostly because you've never used it and know little about it, there is nothing to do to clean the chain when you use this. Nothing sticks to it, there is no grease and grime. It's sort of self-cleaning when you spray on a new coat. I have been using this for years and it works well, my chains look new, many others also swear by it, so if you like all the dirty work, do it your way.

[bob706]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

there is nothing to do to clean the chain when you use this. Nothing sticks to it, there is no grease and grime. It's sort of self-cleaning when you spray on a new coat.

+1.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

That's the whole point. While it may seem lax to you, mostly because you've never used it and know little about it, there is nothing to do to clean the chain when you use this. Nothing sticks to it, there is no grease and grime. It's sort of self-cleaning when you spray on a new coat. I have been using this for years and it works well, my chains look new, many others also swear by it, so if you like all the dirty work, do it your way.

Geeez... Are you always this grumpy.

Personally I don't need to use it. I use a product I love which gives me the same properties you claim and I have synthetic protection as a plus. The 2 products cost about the same and I get get more. I don't have the grease and grime of regular chain lubes and it takes all of 47 seconds to wipe it clean with a rag prior to applying new product. Simple.

I'm not saying what you claim is wrong, I'm just saying to each his own I guess.

[bob706]

Originally Posted by dubojr1

Geeez... Are you always this grumpy.

Floridians are a-holes

It is still a good idea to properly clean the chain every now and then, no matter what lube you use.

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by bob706

Floridians are a-holes

Yeah I guess we all can be at times.

[tapdiggy]

Originally Posted by mrlmd

That's the whole point. While it may seem lax to you, mostly because you've never used it and know little about it, there is nothing to do to clean the chain when you use this. Nothing sticks to it, there is no grease and grime. It's sort of self-cleaning when you spray on a new coat. I have been using this for years and it works well, my chains look new, many others also swear by it, so if you like all the dirty work, do it your way.

Hi Mr. cranky-pants. In fact, I have used Dupont Teflon All-Purpose Lube for my chain almost from the start. I do have experience with it. It doesn't repel everything. I actually replied to a different thread HERE two days ago, talking about the same properties of the lube as you did. You viewed it.

[dubojr1]

If anyone is curious, here is a picture of my chain right at the maintenance interval. Time to lube.

[want1sobad]

Originally Posted by dubojr1

Yeah I guess we all can be at times.

i'm always nice - (don't want to upset any potential customers)

[mrlmd]

Geez, didn't know it would stir up such a response, me being grumpy. I saw that thread too but didn't respond because everyone else said it all. Sorry if I came off that way responding to the previous post, it wasn't meant to be that way.
On another note, (again accuse me of being grumpy), why all the similar posts over and over on here asking the same questions again and again, especially if it's only 2 days apart? Nobody bothers to use the SEARCH feature on here? Is it too much trouble or is it just easier to ask the same question that's been answered many times before?

[want1sobad]

yes, SEARCH is everyone's friend

he's a new member, he'll learn.....

[Stillblunted]

didnt even see it

[kenji_808]

i use delray chain lube, its actually an unusual chain lube cause it sprays as a liquid but then dries into a real tacky weight substance

I got lazy and went about 2-2500 miles straight w/o cleaning and lubing and the chain and it was still clean/white

somehow its tacky when its dry but doesn't attract dirt or grime much

[dubojr1]

Originally Posted by kenji_808

i use delray chain lube, its actually an unusual chain lube cause it sprays as a liquid but then dries into a real tacky weight substance

I got lazy and went about 2-2500 miles straight w/o cleaning and lubing and the chain and it was still clean/white

somehow its tacky when its dry but doesn't attract dirt or grime much

I think you mean "Bel-Ray" and it sounds like your using their "Super Clean" series. Spray on liquid and drys to a white finish. That was actually my preferred lube until I found the Amsoil product I use today. The super clean works rather well as long as you spray it on lightly. It will sling also if you use it liberally.

[want1sobad]

Originally Posted by Stillblunted

didnt even see it

no worries t-mac, "search" is in the upper right hand corner