How do I go about my chain?

[notbike]

During the wetter months/wintery months I used to break my bicycle's chain every now and then leaving it overnight in petrol when it was getting way too rusty and normal products wouldn't clean it, then I'd re-attach it when it was all clean.

Can I do this to my motorcycle's chain? It's pretty rusty, despite cleaning it every couple of weeks, and some of the rust won't come off with scrubbing, so I assume petrol is worth a try.

2 questions

1. Is there a tool I can use to break the chain in a way that will allow me to put it back together again?

2. Will dipping it in petrol overnight decrease it's lifespan or render it useless or damaged for whatever reason?

Degreaser/chain cleaner/wd40 gets the oil and road crap off, but in my experience petrol/diesel overnight and some scrubbing is the only thing that will remove the embedded rust/corrosion.

Ta

[wr6133]

[stirlinggaz]

Hi,
on some chains there is a "split link" fitted, & therefore needs no special tools to remove. some folks say they are a danger, some say (like i do) they are perfectly safe & it makes removing/cleaning & re-fitting a chain simple.
so 1st, look & see if it has a split link fitted. looks like this https://images.wemoto.com/full/CHAIN_LINK/10032789.jpg

if you dont have one fitted & it looks like your chain is endless, then your gonna need a chain tool to remove/re-fit. expect to pay at least around 50 quid for a half decent chain tool & around double that for a good one..(& there plenty of guides/how to's available, i think theres even 1 in this very forum)
so ask yourself, "am i gonna use this 100 quid tool often enough to jusify the purchase price?"

imho, removing the chain is not really necessary to keep the chain in good condition.
just scrub it clean (i use a wee stiff brush) & de-grease it with parrafin. at this time of year - weekly.
then lube it with some left over gear oil or even engine oil.
i know lots of guys will now come & post how you need to buy expensive chain lube/wax/snake oil in a can with a picture of a motorcycle on it, but i've been lubing chains like this for over 30yrs & have NEVER had a chain fail.
the important bit is CLEANING it properly so theres no dirt/grime left to mix with lube/wax/oil creating a coarse grinding paste.

like i said, i clean my chains with parafin & small brush & often use the compressor (along with one of these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/library/product/large/00/000510160.jpg ) if im feeling lazy, but i tend to use too much parrafin this way.
so if your doing it by hand, 4L can of paraffin will last you for ages & costs around 6 quid from b&q or similar.

cheers,
GAZ

[temeluchus]

If you ride year round, invest in a chain oiler like a loobman, tutoro, scottoiler etc. Miles easier in the long run and saves you chains.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Baffler186]

Clean and re-lube chain every week - it's a 2 minute job. I'm guessing it's parked outside at night? All the more reason to give it a spray and wipe every evening. I've never had a rusty chain so don't know the best way to get the rust off, but prevention is better than cure. I think I remember another thread saying you shouldn't soak a chain in petrol as it can eat away at the o-rings (if yours is an o-ring chain)?
____________________
Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Taught2BCauti...]

Petrol is not a good idea - apart from the explosion risk, it will dissolve larger particles and help them to work their way well inside the chain. Use Paraffin and a wire brush instead - without soaking over-night.

Next time you replace the chain, go for one with an anodised finish - which is better at resisting surface rust than plain steel.

Oh, and if you decide to fit a split link, make sure the spring-clip is facing the right way, and carry a spare on the bike, just in case!
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[c_dug]

This thread reminds me why I'm such a shaft fan. Thanks
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[........................]

[barrkel]

Chain oiler, unless your time is not worth much.

If you don't have a centrestand, cleaning and lubricating the chain is not a 2-minute job, and doing it outside, in the dark, on a rainy night is not entertaining.

Life is too short.
____________________
Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[el_oso]

this is a bit of a double edged sword.

A heavy weight oil is best for keeping surfaces well lubricated and rust free.

There are two issues with this though. Dirt and grit will stick to this sludge and create a nice grinding paste.
The second, you get an enormous amount of fling all over the bike. Because you now how have oil all over the bike any road dirt and grit now sticks to not just you chain but your swingarm and shock.

My prefered method is clean and oil the chain every couple of months and wipe with a clean cloth. I then lube the chain with chain wax weekly/fornightly. I find that the oil keeps the rust away and the wax keeps everything lubed nicely and does a much better job at stopping grit from sticking, plus it's a lot less messy.
____________________
Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[el_oso]

[Iain.]

Would be cleaning and lubing twice a week minimum in this weather with current road conditions & switching over to a chain wax rather than a lube for added protection against the elements.

Lube in the summer, Wax in the winter.