Chain cleaning/lubing

[NWDave]

Whats a good chain cleaner?  I was thinking Brake Cleaner, is that too harsh?

[Alphamazing]

WD-40, then lubed with Chain Wax.

That's my standard method, at least.

[galahs]

or Kerosene.



I've read Chain Wax is best for dusty and wet conditions where picking up dirt and stripping of oil from the chain is a bigger wear issue.

Otherwise Oil lube is best for dry/normal conditions as it is actually a better lubricant than the wax.

[My Name Is Dave]

or Kerosene.



I've read Chain Wax is best for dusty and wet conditions where picking up dirt and stripping of oil from the chain is a bigger wear issue.

Otherwise Oil lube is best for dry/normal conditions as it is actually a better lubricant than the wax.

I'm kerosene and Maxima spray-on wax. Works great for me.

[Budrick320]

Yo tambien, Kerosene and Maxima Chain Wax for me.

[scratch]

Just switched to kerosene as a cleaner, why didn't I do that sooner...currently trying out Dumonde chain lube and o-ring conditioner (lather, rinse, repeat  jk); messy at first, but so far, I'm impressed; easy to clean with just water, and scrubs off the tire easy, too.  No slipping!

[NWDave]

Where do you guys buy your kerosene?

[n4t3]

I get kerosene at my local hardware store and put it in a little plastic spray bottle to squirt on the chain. 

I've just started using BelRay super clean chain lube and it seems to work well.

[My Name Is Dave]

I get kerosene at my local hardware store and put it in a little plastic spray bottle to squirt on the chain. 

I've just started using BelRay super clean chain lube and it seems to work well.

That's a good idea about the spray bottle. I just normally pour it from the jug onto a rag, aka spill it everywhere.

[manofthefield]

Where do you guys buy your kerosene?

Some gas stations sell it at a pump.  When you buy it this way, you're supposed to put it in a blue "gas" can

[Kasumi]

I have a chronic problem with my chain. It stretches and stretches and stretches i swear its made of rubber. Im on my second chain and my sprokets are still new!. The first chain stretched so much that after adjusting countless times the wheel cudnt move any further back on the adjusting sliders. Im baffled. I ride in some crappy weather sumtimes but i take the chain off, soak it in parafin then brush clean with an old paintbrush and wipe the sprokets and rubber slider thingy mounted on the arm for the chain to run accross, then i use chain lube and rub it in well.

If anyone has any ideas why it stretches so much lemmie know.

p.s. i dont overtighten it either

[NWDave]

You try removing a link or two?

[Kasumi]

It shouldnt stretch as much as it does, i took links out of the first one to make it last longer before i bought a new one but it only delayed it - it kept stretching up until the point that i thought perhaps it was dodgy, mis manufactured or something and i feared breakage, so i bought a new one which is doing the same.

The slider adjustment for the rear wheel on the swing arm must hav an inch altogether for moving the wheel back and forth. It move an inch down there so transfer that to the chain and its really stretching.

[scratch]

Chains stretch alot when new and old, they're not supposed to stretch alot quickly in between.  Takes about two weeks or a couple hundered miles to get them 'broken in'.

[RVertigo]

I just went in to a Suzi dealer and said, "I need chain cleaner."     I have no idea what brand it is, but it cleans rather well, smells like death, but takes too long to dry.

[pandy]

It's probably kerosene, and you probably paid 100x more than it costs at the hardware store. 

[RVertigo]

I've had the same little bottle for almost a year...  So, $6 vs $0.60 isn't that big of a deal.   

[Cannon Fodder]

When I bought my bike the guy gave me a can of PJ1 stuff, blue label I think.

[Absolute Rescue]

I agree with alpha, WD-40 works well to clean it then I used the BelRay lube mentioned earlier, took about 10 or 15 minutes to clean and relube

[Alphamazing]

The best thing to do with the WD-40 is to buy one of the big gallon cans and a hand-spray bottle, rather than a bunch of the aerosol cans. That way you can refill and spray at your leisure. Saves a bunch of money over the aero-cans.