Cleaning chain & sprockets

[Chuck100]

I know people have posted on here about cleaning one's chain and sprockets, but....

I tried to do this over the weekend on my NSR125 and got the rear wheel off, and the cover over the front sprocket off, but then...

1) It was pretty difficult to slip the chain off the front sprocket (and yes I did remove the little crescent shaped metal strip)

2) I take it there's no way to get the chain completely off the bike without either:

(i) taking the swing-arm off; or
(ii) un-linking the chain

I did manage to give the chain a bit of a clean anyway by just using a tray of paraffin under the bike and rotating the chain section by section around the front sprocket/swing-arm and through the tray.

Could someone confirm that I'm not being a bit stupid?

Thanks,

Chuck.
____________________
I shall see you, sir, upon the hustings

[Hex]

Just clean the chain while its on the bike mate.

Some bikes I think you can remove the chain without breaking a link others you cant (depends if it passes through any solid bits on the swing arm etc).

I just clean mine while its on the bike.
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[M1ke]

I know people say to use paraffin to clean your bike chain, however from experience I have found it's not that good.

Paraffin acts as a degreasant and basically drys out the chain. In the short term it does make the chain nice and shiny, but in the long term (especially with O ring chains) it drys out the links and causes rust and tight spots etc.

Unless you wash all of the paraffin off and oil very regularly then it is bad.

I have just discovered that using old engine oil (although very messy) loobs the chain up really well.

[Hex]

[Kickstart]

[Hex]

Pah your just not tarty enough Keith.
____________________
The BCF's very own Party boy! Though he's getting old and feeling it!
Monkey hanger, Born and bred
My little photo portfolio

[Kickstart]

Mmm, that is why I am riding a Divvy to work .

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Chuck100]

Thanks for all the help and advice...

One question though: If you were going to take the rear swing-arm off, what would you use to support the bike whilst doing that, and how?

Also, I think I need to change the bearings on the front wheel, and I'm going to have the same issue of supporting the bike whilst the front wheel is off. I don't have one of those paddock stands and I can't get one out here, so I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions...?

As it's a NSR125, I don't think I can use a car jack under the engine as the exhaust is in the way and I don't want to bend that. Someone told me that they used to use rope around a tree branch, but as far as I can tell that won't stop the bike falling over to one side.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Chuck.
____________________
I shall see you, sir, upon the hustings

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not very secure but you can use a car axle stand under the front of the frame / engine to hold the front end up in the air. This works OK for normal work as long as you are reasonably carefull, but probably best not to do anything too violent like this.

For the back end you can do a similar thing putting the axle stands under the footrest hangers.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[baldy]

What i did was remove the lower fairings and use a couple of builders buckets turned upsidedown (one inside the other to increase strength) to prop up against the engine which just misses the lovely exhaust. Also you could put a brick or two under the side stand as well to wake it more stable. easily done and cheap, also no damage your engine.