Chain Rusty After Lay-Up: How to Clean?
 

I laid up my K3 SV last month (outside, under cover) and cleaned & lubed the chain before I went away. But now there's a lot of rust on the chain - any advice on how to clean this off without knackering it?

I've only just bought the bike and the chain's newish at 2.5k - I'd like to keep it if I can clean it up properly but is there any risks with doing so?

Thanks for your advice
Liam

If its only been a month it will be surface rust and you should oil it and ride it.You probably used a spray on chain lube on it?I would use engine oil now to lub and clean it.Theres nothing like use to keep them working.

Parafin is supposed to be good and is reccomended in the Suzuki handbook. However, it does say to clean it off within 10 minutes to avoid damaging the O rings in the chain. I used white spirit quite effectively last week as I didn't have any parafin to hand. This doesn't seem to have done any damage to my chain that I've noticed yet.

A rag and either paraffin, WD40 or engine oil works just fine. Don't be too vigorous with rubbing as it could possibly damage the O/X rings.

It's also good practice (if you want your chain to last) to lube it after every ride. Only takes seconds so why not?


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Stick it up on a paddock stand and start bike, click into 1st, run a brass wire brush over it. then lube as normal.

Just watch your thumbs :shock:

Thanks guys, I'll give these suggestions a go tomorrow (except yours, sorry Viney, don't feel confident enough to try engine running!).

I used to degrease my chain on the last bike every 1.5-2k miles (2 months), and spray lube before each ride. But the new bike's got a scottoiler so I've been relying on that for the 2 months I've had it (on high through winter). I didn't think that I needed to use spray lube during normal use (only did it for lay-up) - Am I wrong in this? Also, with a scottoiler should I degrease the chain any more/less often?

Cheers again
Liam

With a Scottoiler there really shouldn't be a need to clean the chain as it's both self-lubing and self-cleaning with no sticky spray lube acting like a glue for the dirt.


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Exactly what I as thinking.... :shock: We've already had one SVer loose a thumb this way (can't remember who). Anyway when they went to A&E they were told this is a common accident so probably not recommended!!!