Hi guys,
My chain hasn't been cleaned in a while (could be a few years), and I would like to start cleaning it on a reg basis. I have a o-ring safe spray, but it doesn't come with any instructions. How would you recommend to apply it? Is it necessary to first wash the chain and then put the spray on it, or is it enough to put GS on a center stand and spray while turning rear wheel.
Thanks [sorry if this is trivial]
you can use kerosene or wd40...spray and scrub with a tooth brush. after cleaning, go ride around the block to warm the chain. apply chain wax or grease. you could probably warm up the chain before cleaning.
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18095
here is nice article on chain cleaning:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lube/
all those that use wd-40 definately should read the part at the end. To me it presents a pretty good reason not to.
Quote from: Slavikall those that use wd-40 definately should read the part at the end. To me it presents a pretty good reason not to.
It presents a good reason not to use it as a lube only - which it isn't. It's a water-displacing solvent. It'll dry out O-rings. I clean with WD-40 and then lube with Chain Wax or PJ-1.
I would use kerosene, but I live in a studio and don't want to keep that under the bed.
Quote from: Slavikall those that use wd-40 definately should read the part at the end. To me it presents a pretty good reason not to.
i've read the recent bike world magazine where a reader sent in a letter asking if wd40 was harmful to the chain. their response was that there is no proof that it does any harm so it's safe to use on all type of chain. now, this only for cleaning purpose. you should always lube the chain afterwards.
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: Slavikall those that use wd-40 definately should read the part at the end. To me it presents a pretty good reason not to.
It presents a good reason not to use it as a lube only - which it isn't. It's a water-displacing solvent. It'll dry out O-rings. I clean with WD-40 and then lube with Chain Wax or PJ-1.
I would use kerosene, but I live in a studio and don't want to keep that under the bed.
I would argue that you wouldn't want wd-40 penetrating the seals and removing the lubrication "inside" where it's pretty hard to "re-lube". The wd-40 wasn't used as a lube in that example but as a cleaner only, the bearings were sealed, meaning no lubing required, but wd-40 still dissolved that grease......
Quote from: SlavikThe wd-40 wasn't used as a lube in that example but as a cleaner only, the bearing were sealed, meaning no lubing required, but wd-40 still dissoved that greese......
Technically, our o-rings are 'sealed' and internally lubed - but the seal is a rubber gasket that needs lubricating, itself. If you clean the outside with WD-40, then top off with a lube - well, I'll post my chain life as it goes. 1100 on the GS, and... crap, a handful of miles (and track) on the SV. I'll have to check the mileage when I get home (I'm in Chicago).
I had over 18,000 miles on my stock chain. I never cleaned it. Just wiped it off with a rag that was moist with WD40. Never sprayed it on the chain. I wiped off the rear sprocket when the gunk accumulated with a rag soaked in WD40. Used chain wax for the life of the chain.
The concern with WD40 is not that it will damage the rings but that when you spray it will get behind the o-rings and washout the grease that is behind the rings and inside the chain. I can see that happening on an older chain. On a new one the rings are tight and that should not happen.
Mike
Does any one uses a brake cleaner to clean the chain?
With all this talk about how to properly clean and maintain a chain, it makes me wonder why this is such a hot topic. Of course I don't want my chain to give out while I'm riding, but are they really hard to change/ expensive to replace/ etc.?
Of course I plan on keeping mine clean and lubed, but I wonder why it's so important :dunno:
I do feel qualified to pass comment on this subject as I am a profesional Engineer and have experience in the area of chain drives. WD40 and similar products contain solvants that WILL DISOLVE GREASE!! Try it on some and see what happens! And if regularly sprayed onto bearings (shielded or sealed...remember its a penatrative and it will find its way in) or chains will have a detrimental effect. WD40 is a water displacement hence the WD its ok for lubricating things like sticky switches and locks etc but these are not precision components rotating at speed in the way bearings do. Grease and chain lube is thick and has a high viscosity so it will not flow and tends to stick to parts that rotate and will not fly off when subject to centrifugal forces. I suppose it all boils down to personal choice and opinion but other than a burst into the switchgear now and again I never use it on my bike and view it as the 2nd worse thing you can do to any motorcycle. The 1st being pressure washing. Chain drives are the most inefficient form of power transmission that exists, not just on bikes but in Engineering in general. They are noisy, sap power and are high maintenance but in there favour they are relatively cheap and reliable if properly looked after.
about the best ones you can buy run 75 bucks add another 40 for sprockets and 2 hours labor if you take it to a shop and your looking at almost 300 bucks.
what I do.
using white lithium grease in a aerosol can on long trips spray every other gas stop or rest stop, I try to keep it about 400 miles between lubes, due to the greater amount of heat generated by the contiunus riding.
when i am home i usually lube about every other weekend which is usually about 500 miles.
I am still on the stock chain and sprockets (milage in sig) and i am 3 lines away from max on the adjustment.