What can I use to clean a chain?

[Recluso]

Howdy guys and gals!

I'm giving the YBR a bit of tlc this weekend (weather permitting) and on the list of my things to do is give the chain a really good cleaning (I'll admit that I've neglected it a bit so far in my ignorance).

I've collected a veritable assortment of cleaning goodies and toys, but I don't have anything with which to clean the chain (barring some cheapy toothbrushes I picked up). I've had a bit of a look around but seem to only find expensive contraptions like the Muc Off chain doctor thingy.

Can anyone suggest a brand or concoction that will let me get my chain sparkling clean again?


Thanks in advance as always!
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Slacker24seve...]

Paraffin and a toothbrush.
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[chrisjpartrid...]

WD40 and a toothbrush

[lihp]

Chain cleaner?

[neatbik]

[Recluso]

[Microcut]

Maybe i'm just lazy or simply buy into marketing, but i'd go and buy a cheap spray chain cleaner. I use Silkolene (600ml) and the fact you've got the force of the spray and a little nozzle for precise (questionable) application, you can get the job done pretty easily.

As for lube i like the Silkolene titanium gel lube. The gel is white so is easy to see where you're applying it and has some fancy anti fling formula. Both products are good to use on chains with O-rings btw.

I'd advise against WD40 as a cleaner. Paraffin is good but ask yourself, how often do you clean a chain and how much elbow grease do you want to avoid?

Or maybe i sound like i've got shares in the Fuchs company.

[WannaBeDude]

Use the search button, and while your there type in nodding

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would just use a toothbrush and some random oil (ie, any small amount left in a bottle, or just used oil)

All the best

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

[Silentwalker]

[WannaBeDude]

I tell you what, must be a nightmare keeping lots of bikes like G and Kick, and also running one like Marmalade.

As for my ' bitch ' Italian 2Ts so much win and fail amalganated !

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Johnser]

anything that will dissolve oil but not steel or - more importantly, the o-rings in the chain (if its an o-ring chain).

poundland toothbrushes are 5 for ... well, a pound.

paraffin, petrol, diesel, white spirit... e.t.c will all help cut through the crud.

dry chain with rag before applying new lube

[Recluso]

[ClockworkJesu...]

Some kind of spirit and a toothbrush.
Bike on centre-stand, kick it into 5th, let the wheel turn under tick over, press the toothbrush to the chain, and wait.

Or.. Bad idea, since you're taking the oil off the chain?
We'll find out.

[WannaBeDude]

[whitedevil]

Man Jam
____________________
GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[tk338]

[P.addy]

Yum..

Graphic images.. Beware

https://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242261

[Recluso]

Yeah, I'd rather not lose any fingers (curse you and your links, Paddy! ). As tempting as it might be to try and speed things up with the engine running, I'd rather not risk it. I've got the wrong sort of luck.

So! With the help of some paraffin, a toothbrush, 2 hours of elbow grease and an assortment of rags, I present my much cleaner looking chain!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/IMG_0314.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/IMG_0313.jpg

Admittedly I probably could have gotten it even cleaner but the paraffin fumes were starting to get to me a little bit. But it's a huge improvement. When I took the chain guard off and actually got up close and personal, I was shocked at just how dirty it was! There was so much gunge and grime (and hair... don't ask. I don't want to know myself) in there that the toothbrush was fully 'gunged' within about 20 mins and I found it far more effective to get in there with a few rags and clean it.

Lesson learned though. I'm going to be far more careful about cleaning my chain from now on.

Once my head's stopped spinning I'll clean the rest of the bike. Just look at the state of those wheels!

Thanks for all the input though folks, had I not thought to ask, I would have just gone out and spent £7-£8 quid on a branded cleaner rather than a couple of quid on a bottle of paraffin that did the job better than I ever could have imagined!
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Dan_Davies]

i used motul chain clean, oil just dripped off instantly, and harder bits just gave a rub with a cloth, had it free in m&ps because i was buying some other gear
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current ride: 07 suzuki sv650s
ex rides : lifan mirage 125