Chain cleaning - SV650.org

rictus01 · 14-04-09, 12:39 AM

Just reading another thread, got me thinking, what's all this fetish about cleaning chains all about ?

I know how they work and really can't see any reason to do it?

I can't remember ever cleaning one on a bike or needing to, perhaps a wipe with an oily rag on the odd occasion, but as the whole point of lubing the chain is to keep the link grease in by lubricating the "o" rings, why would I want to "wash all that off

Oh.... or is it just for those who want the gold/red/blue...or whatever side plates to look pretty ?

Just wondering.............

Cheers Mark.

Biker Biggles · 14-04-09, 08:33 AM

Absolutely.

the_lone_wolf · 14-04-09, 08:47 AM

after riding it the wet mine seemed to pick up a lot of grit with the scottoiler, as does anything with the oily glue like lube on it, i may not be a mechanical guru but grit + moving parts is generally bad shirley?

wurth dry chain lube stops that from happening so i don't spend too long cleaning the chain, but obviously it's nice to keep it looking it's goldest

Luckypants · 14-04-09, 08:55 AM

I agree with Rictus. The wonder of Scottoiler keeps my chain's moving bits in good nick and the oil fling tends to keep the crap off the chain. However I'll be cleaning mine for the first time in 18K miles, just because it forces me to examine it closely.....

14-04-09, 09:11 AM

We clean ours to get rid of the grit that can stick to the lube and turn it into grinding paste. Also a good opportunity to clean the front sprocket area and the top and bottom of the swingarm. Plus you tend to be able to see the chain better for damage inspection.

fizzwheel · 14-04-09, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

We clean ours to get rid of the grit that can stick to the lube and turn it into grinding paste.

Thats the only reason I do any of ours. Especially the non scotoiler equiped bikes.

Viney · 14-04-09, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Thats the only reason I do any of ours. Especially the non scotoiler equiped bikes.

Liar Liar pants on fire! Its because you have a blue chav chain

yorkie_chris · 14-04-09, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

We clean ours to get rid of the grit that can stick to the lube and turn it into grinding paste. Also a good opportunity to clean the front sprocket area and the top and bottom of the swingarm. Plus you tend to be able to see the chain better for damage inspection.

Scottoiler it and nothing sticks for long.

the_lone_wolf · 14-04-09, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Scottoiler it and nothing sticks for long.

plus you can inspect what was on there by looking at the wheel/tyre/tail/back of your boot etc etc etc

yorkie_chris · 14-04-09, 11:05 AM

Yes, I think my wheel was silver once. But I would not stand something which oiled the tyre!
Don't know what you mean about the tail?

It also keeps a nice layer of filth over all the linkages, stops the grease getting washed out!

14-04-09, 12:39 AM	#1
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Chain cleaning Just reading another thread, got me thinking, what's all this fetish about cleaning chains all about ? I know how they work and really can't see any reason to do it? I can't remember ever cleaning one on a bike or needing to, perhaps a wipe with an oily rag on the odd occasion, but as the whole point of lubing the chain is to keep the link grease in by lubricating the "o" rings, why would I want to "wash all that off Oh.... or is it just for those who want the gold/red/blue...or whatever side plates to look pretty ? Just wondering............. Cheers Mark. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

14-04-09, 08:33 AM	#2
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,068	Re: Chain cleaning Absolutely. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

14-04-09, 08:47 AM	#3
the_lone_wolf Captain Awesome Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hamble Posts: 4,266	Re: Chain cleaning after riding it the wet mine seemed to pick up a lot of grit with the scottoiler, as does anything with the oily glue like lube on it, i may not be a mechanical guru but grit + moving parts is generally bad shirley? wurth dry chain lube stops that from happening so i don't spend too long cleaning the chain, but obviously it's nice to keep it looking it's goldest __________________ Official "Dumbass of the Year" 2011 (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■) Deal with it...

14-04-09, 08:55 AM	#4
Luckypants Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nr Ruthin Posts: 7,056	Re: Chain cleaning I agree with Rictus. The wonder of Scottoiler keeps my chain's moving bits in good nick and the oil fling tends to keep the crap off the chain. However I'll be cleaning mine for the first time in 18K miles, just because it forces me to examine it closely..... __________________ "Your Viffer sounds like it is raising hell! Spot on." - Witchery 17/4/08 Snow Plough Appreciation Society - Member #3

14-04-09, 09:11 AM	#5
petevtwin650 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Chain cleaning We clean ours to get rid of the grit that can stick to the lube and turn it into grinding paste. Also a good opportunity to clean the front sprocket area and the top and bottom of the swingarm. Plus you tend to be able to see the chain better for damage inspection.

14-04-09, 11:05 AM	#10
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Chain cleaning Yes, I think my wheel was silver once. But I would not stand something which oiled the tyre! Don't know what you mean about the tail? It also keeps a nice layer of filth over all the linkages, stops the grease getting washed out! __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
cleaning chain	AndyBrad	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	21	31-12-08 01:58 PM
Cleaning the chain	neilhatch	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	12	15-06-06 08:23 PM
Cleaning chain	JASONSCOTLAND	Bikes - Talk & Issues	16	27-03-06 12:43 PM
Chain cleaning	diamond	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	29	30-05-05 11:49 PM
chain cleaning	Warren	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	13	20-03-05 01:04 PM