How often do you clean your chain?

[Gear Head]

and how do you clean it?

[Berserker]

I wax it every other fill-up or right before a long ride...clean it at least once a month in the summer

Motorex stuff and a grunge brush...freaking works

[Gear Head]

What's the difference really between chain wax and chain lube like PJ1?

[Berserker]

Sling...wax tends to fling off less.

[Gear Head]

Really? I've been using PJ1 chain lube and it's really sticky. Is it normal that it's more sticky then greasy?

[HANS]

rear stand
grunge brush(red)
wd-40 or mineral spirits - whichever is available
warm up the chain
use bel-ray chain lube
let sit for a few hours or overnight so i dont get any sling off and what not


clean it around every 500-700miles. anymore than that is too much IMO. unless you ride in a harsh enviornment

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Gear Head

Really? I've been using PJ1 chain lube and it's really sticky. Is it normal that it's more sticky then greasy?

Sticky is good....don't touch it or anything to verify, but once it heats up it, gets more slick.

[speedylocksmith]

I don't clean mine nearly as much as I should but when I get to it, I sit there with a toothbrush and WD40. Like was said, the wax tends to not fling off as much, I use Maxima and it's the best I have found. BTW, you should clean your chain every 600 miles roughly.

[ticktock4792]

Originally Posted by speedylocksmith

I don't clean mine nearly as much as I should but when I get to it, I sit there with a toothbrush and WD40. Like was said, the wax tends to not fling off as much, I use Maxima and it's the best I have found. BTW, you should clean your chain every 600 miles roughly.

i used to use a toothbrush and wd40 but the next day it left a funny taste in my mouth



but really i do clean it around 600 miles or so depending on how dirty it looks....i lube it prolly every 300

[Gear Head]

Why do some say that WD-40 and degreaser will damage the o-rings? Is this true?

[alecracing]

I put the bike up on rear stand, put in 1st gear, soak chain with WD40, and them get a rag and grab chain until clean (and hope I don't lose a finger like BASA), then chain wax

[Moni]

Usually after a very long sunday ride from south miami up to seabring

chain wax and a good rag

[compulady5]

Now this is a very interesting topic. I have to say that through the years I've heard many conflicting things. I've come to the conclusion that cleaning your chain is up to interpretation....

I had a mechanic tell me once that a chain should never have to be lubed/cleaned unless the bike is stuck in a downpour while riding...

I had another mechanic tell me- lubed every 500 miles; and clean whenever it appears dirty.

I just clean it whenever it looks dirty or "feels" gritty. I've used that brake parts cleaner to clean it; then lube.. A rear stand helps ;-)

[speedylocksmith]

Originally Posted by compulady5

Now this is a very interesting topic. I have to say that through the years I've heard many conflicting things. I've come to the conclusion that cleaning your chain is up to interpretation....

I had a mechanic tell me once that a chain should never have to be lubed/cleaned unless the bike is stuck in a downpour while riding...

I had another mechanic tell me- lubed every 500 miles; and clean whenever it appears dirty.

I just clean it whenever it looks dirty or "feels" gritty. I've used that brake parts cleaner to clean it; then lube.. A rear stand helps ;-)

I personally wouldn't use the brake parts cleaner Andie, that tends to eat paint IMO

[Gear Head]

What about degreaser?