Boil chain in oil.

[AndyW]

Ok, not really but...
is there a thread anywhere with muppet proof instruction on how to take the chain off and clean it? Starting with removing chain without losing your fingers...
Put my manual somewhere safe where I can't find it atm.
Tried the search forums but couldn't get a specific enough search that I could find anythign usefu.

[the_lone_wolf]

iirc you need to remove the swingarm if you're not going to break the chain...

use something like wurth brake&chain cleaner and it's easier to clean it on the bike

[Luckypants]

Leave chain on bike. Buy paraffin and cheap paint brush, clean chain on bike with paraffin and brush. Lube. Job done :cool:

[fizzwheel]

Leave chain on bike. Buy paraffin and cheap paint brush, clean chain on bike with paraffin and brush. Lube. Job done :cool:

+ 1 except I use an old toothbrush rather than a paint brush.

[jambo]

There was a time when spring link chains were common, so you could easily undo them and take them off. The problem is sometimes they undo themselves while you're riding and this can at best leave you stranded, at worst leave you very badly injured.

Modern chains use a rivet link or are created as one endless run where all links are the same, either way, the chain is not meant to be split and removed. but as pointed out they can be cleaned on the bike. A rear paddock stand makes this much easier.

Jambo

[ooger]

haynes manuals aside....(I never have mine to hand when I have these questions)..

How often do you do this?

(You = specific to you, not a general "tell me when I should" (thats in the book ;))

--although I'm not qualified in any way to offer expert advice, I'd also recommend leaving the chain on. Removing anything will always take you 3 times longer than you thought originally, the first time you do it....

[thor]

Buy a plastic sink bowl to catch the dripping parafin (also known as patio heater fuel in B&Q). It's also great at cleaning off the chain fling on the wheel rims.

[Alpinestarhero]

I clean my chain once a fortnight. Lube applied after every ~250 miles of riding (or sooner if the weather has been bad)

Might get some wurth lube again so i stop getting a messy rear wheel form the silkolene stuff

[petevtwin650]

Clean the chain on the bike. Take off the front sprocket cover and clean in there too.

No particular time/mileage scale just when it looks filthy and you can feel the grit as you turn the rear wheel.

[empty]

Buy scotoiler, fill with oil, then add an extra bit to the chain after you've washed it all off when you clean the bike (Jambo you don't need to worry about the last bit). Job done. My bike even has a centre stand to make things easier, but my laziness wins every time.

MT

[Biker Biggles]

Mrs Bs SV still has the original chain on at 20,000+ miles.I never clean it,just lube it with old used engine oil.Scotty would be even better.

[yorkie_chris]

I don't clean chains.

I have the scottoiler set to as high a flow as I can get away with without spattering the tyre, filled with mix of used engine oil and chainsaw oil.

[jimmy-james]

My local Suzi dealer said to clean with carb or brake cleaner and lube with Heavy gear oil as it is the best against corrosion and told me to stop using chain wax or sticky lubes because the dirt sticks to it. It has worked so far chain is much quieter. You just have to make sure you keep an eye on the back tyre for traces of oil.

[yorkie_chris]

Brake cleaner on O ring chain?

[lukemillar]

+ 1 except I use an old toothbrush rather than a paint brush.

+2 except i buy Tesco value toothbrushes for 69p for 3! :wink:

Out of curiousity - is Kerosene the same/similar stuff as paraffin? I remember an old thread where someone said it was.

[yorkie_chris]

Yarp same stuff

[simonthepost]

fit a scotoiler, get one of these :http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/80/2677
JOB DONE!!

[tigersaw]

I don't clean chains either. Once you wash the grease out of the O rings it wont last long. I just fit a scotty, check tension every month or so.

[pencil shavings]

+2 except i buy Tesco value toothbrushes for 69p for 3! :wink:



Pah, your being ripped off mate

go to asda, 2 for 19p!! cant beat that for value

(waits for the price from morrisons.............)

[Lozzo]

Buy scotoiler, fill with oil, then add an extra bit to the chain after you've washed it all off when you clean the bike (Jambo you don't need to worry about the last bit). Job done. My bike even has a centre stand to make things easier, but my laziness wins every time.

MT

Agree with everything except the laziness bit.

Scottoilers work, and they keep the chain clean.

[AndyW]

fit a scotoiler, get one of these :http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/80/2677
JOB DONE!!

Getting a chain cleaner thingy sounds good, except I'm broke for a while, and the first thing I'm buying when I have spare cash for bike will be new front fork springs. Went on a 200 mile ride out round Buttermere Saturday and felt like I was on a see-saw with all the diving of the forks due to @#-! tarmac. Still got the original ones on after 3k miles.

[garyholc]

What lube do you use? I used springly some motor grade grease on mine.

[Luckypants]

....told me to stop using chain wax or sticky lubes because the dirt sticks to it.

Have lubed a previously 'waxed' chain with scottoil and have been amazed by the grit coming off it :(. I have fitted the scotty now (at last) and cleaned all the old wax off the chain to get rid of the grit. Found out the chain was gold not black....:silent: (I'd like to point out this was not my bike)

[Skip]

I don't clean chains either. Once you wash the grease out of the O rings it wont last long. I just fit a scotty, check tension every month or so.
+1

I have adjusted my chain once in 10,000 miles so it must be doing the job!