Cleaning chain with Kerosene

So on Sunday I was bored, but had to stay in/close to home, so I decided to clean my chain and back wheel as they were filthy.

From previous experiences I found kero to be the best to get off crud, so whipped that out with a few brushes and got scrubbing.

Nice and shiny...but then I got stuck trying to get the kero off, so I could re-lube the chain.

What is the proper way to do it? Tried water with a bit of car wash shampoo and failed miserably, as kero repels water (duh). Ended up with dirty, oily, dark smears all over my back wheel and swingarm.

Plugged away for what seemed like an eternity til I had the majority of it off, but it felt like I really went about it the hard way!

What do you guys use?

Rain water and puddles...

Well that normally is my method but I was itching to do something with the bike (preferably ride) but I couldnt, so I decided something none-commited (i.e if my daughter woke I could just leave it) like cleaning the chain was a good bet.

First time I have cleaned the bike since...before winter I believe?

i just used a rag, ok my t shirt, the only way your going to get it all off is by using a degreaser. clean wipe oil imo.

TBH I wont be doing it again for a long while, too much like hard work!

Haha, ok I'll be honest, to do wheels (which I have only ever done once) I use wonder wheels (wheel was covered is grease flung from chain and were completely black, couldn't even see the colour the wheel, worked an absolute treat.

As for chain, I didn't mess about, pressure washed it, let it dry and then greased it.

People will almost definitely disagree with my methods... Haha

[yorkie_chris]

Another NOT to be recommended method is to get it on a workshop stand and spin the wheel a bit. Soon flicks it off.

Hehe, I did that too. Ended up all over the side of my car...

Was tempted to hold a toothbrush to it while it was spinning but chickened out, probably one of my wiser moments in life.

[yorkie_chris]

I wouldn't recommend anyone do that

I don't know if degreaser is a good idea on the chain unless the chain is going to soak in an oil bath afterwards,I would always use a light oil based cleaner such as paraffin or kerosene if the chain is to remain fitted. If you are rich you can buy a specific chain cleaner but is it worth it?