Best way to de rust a chain!

[Barnoe]

Ive always used oil on my chain, but after getting sick of the black fling you get i decided to use wax.

Big mistake.... i sprayed the chain to death before storing my bike in the garage.
Started commuting to work this week on the bike (been using car since new year) and noticed the chain is rusty as feck
I am going to try cleaning it, but if i cant i will have to buy a new chain cos it looks gastly
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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[MarJay]

The look is the least of your worries... Keep it lubed or buy a new one. You *might* be lucky by cleaning it but I wouldn't hold out much hope.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Beehive Bedlam]

If it's as bad as you describe I would scrap it and fit a new one before it snaps. A scottoiler is a worth while investment.

[Deso]

Loads of paraffin. Use a toothbrush and a lot of rags to clean the chain.
A wire brush on the side plates.
Might take you while, but it should come up pretty good.
Use gear oil to lube or as suggested a Scottoiler.
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What if the whole world farted at once?

[Barnoe]

The rust isnt deep its just surface rust i hope... surely rust cant eat in too much in 3 month!

i will clean it best i can this weekend as suggested, might have to invest in a small wire brush.
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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[Andy_Pagin]

Paraffin and a finger nail brush works well, especially the ones with a loop on on side.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Commuter_Tim]

[Jefr0]

WD40 on a oily rag and you'll probably find it'll all come off.
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[-Matt-]

Just my , may well just of been lucky but.

My first chain on the ZX6R (stock chain, so already many years old) got neglected to hell by me in terms of adjustment and keeping it oiled. It regularly got rusty as you describe yours on and off for a few years, but it always came off with a brush and some cleaner. This chain did 25k miles.

The second chain I replaced it with was a more expensive one which I tried to treat a lot better by regularly cleaning it and keeping it well adjusted. Ironically I ended up damaging some of the o-rings by brushing it too firmly on at least one of the occasions I cleaned it. The chain didn't like it and was completely useless after 12k miles.

So yeah, i'm not overly concerned with a bit of rust, perfect lubrication or keeping it precisely adjusted personally - I try to keep the new one in good nick now, but I don't think its the be-all and end-all of making the chain last.

I'm now considering a scott-oiler or similar though. Probably should of got one years ago to save a lot of time, effort and money in the long run .

[techathy]

If it takes more than oil and a rag to get the chain free of rust I'd be looking to junk the chain & possibly sprockets.

[pompousporcup...]

I don't think a bit of surface rust is a big deal, especially this time of year. If any of the links are seized and don't loosen with a bit of oil then it's new chain time imo

Go and buy a litre of engine oil, cheap as possible. Tesco do 25p toothbrushes. Get a bucket under the centre of the chain and an old jar.

Pour some oil into the jar and dip the tooth brush in and literally scrub the chain clean clean of rust. Rotate wheel and repeat


Fwiw, I use engine oil to lube chain in warm weather. I tried wax when winter started with the same results.
Now I use rock oil chain lube which is a bit stickier than regular oil. There's a lithium based product called dp60 that is also really good and doesn't fling and prevents corrosion well enough

[kramdra]

Rust on the outside is irrelevant, surface rust on the rollers will dissapear after a few seconds of use. If its not surface rust, you are not riding often enough. Rust in the pins wont happen, because you should be using an o/x ring chain.

I give my chain 5 or 6 squirts from oil can every morning before my 30 mile commute. A tiny bit gets on the side of tire, but its scrubbed off after the first corners. Whats the issue? The fling is good, it gets all the shit off. I cant remember when I last cleaned chain, and it doesnt need it... though rest of bike does

Using wax/sprays will give a thick layer of sticky shit grinding paste on your chain, it wont last half as long.

[MCN]

[matto]

I'd just whack some oil on it and take it for a ride, chain always just looks like a normal unrusty chain when I get back.

[Barnoe]

"Barnoe This post is not being displayed because it has a low rating (Off Topic). Unhide this post / all posts."

I was returning to update you on my efforts with the chain today.......

Off topic? bad karma... rules is rules etc wtf!!

If i posted this in a "CB radio forum" or a "Premier League football forum" It would make sense, but chain maintenance is something all bike owners deal with.... if i dont post it in a "BIKE CHAT" forum then where do you suggest ffs

As for my chain.... i'm sorry i asked forget it!
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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[Commuter_Tim]

[Deso]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Barnoe]

Id like to think the reason anyone replies to anything on BCF, is because they are good members and decent helpful people.

In any case, with hindsight i accept that my post would have been better suited to the workshop.

however i dont think my post going in general killed anyone... so i will sleep ok tonight


And thanks to these i bought for only £4.... my chain is now rust free again.
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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[techathy]

[Commuter_Tim]

[Ribenapigeon]

Worst mistake I made was cleaniong a chain. It was fine until I did then didnt matter how much lube i put on it it still got rusty. Best thing to do with a chain is leave it the well alone and just smother it with lube regularly.

[duhawkz]

[Kidjal]