How do you clean your chain?

[Casper]

How do you clean your chain?

I've always used kerosene. Heard WD40 is just as good as kerosene but way easier. 

[Wolfman1]

I have always used kerosene because it is o-ring safe and brakes down the grime quickly.  Once clean, I will hit it with some compressed air to make sure it is dry and then reapply a chain lubricant.  I have tried just using wd40 to keep the chain clean opposed to chain lube/wax as nothing will stick to it, but if you get caught in the rain or the chain gets wet you will need to reapply vigorously.  I just prefer a good synthetic chain lube that dries clear and is not tacky.

[Tonik]

WD40 is great and hurts nothing. Science.

 

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/chain-o-ring-wd-40-exposure-effects-study-and-results.345397/

Edited May 14, 2016 by Tonik

[zx3vfr]

wd40 to clean, but only a few times a year. Mainly before storage, after storage, and after riding in heavy rain.

 

before storage I wipe the chain down in some used motor oil  

chain wax to lube, just pop it up on the rear stand and spray every 300-500 miles. Never had a chain fail following this routine. 

Edited May 15, 2016 by zx3vfr

[r1crusher]

2 x WD and chain wax.  Done and done.

[Casper]

Just cleaned with WD40 for the first time. Worked really well. 

[cmh_sprint]

I've always used kerosene. 

[Tpoppa]

Cleaning chains is my least favorite maintenance task.  Shaft drive from now on.

[jschaf]

I guess once you get the shaft there's no return. I never really clean my chains. I just wipe them off with a rag & lube. I realize that this cuts their life to about 25K but that's the price I pay. Some swear by the WD40 though.

[Chrome]

I get the rear tire off of the ground, start the bike, put it in first gear, little gas let out the clutch and let it start spinning. I grab the chain with my hand and a wet rag and viola!  Clean as a whistle. 

 

Anyone who who believes this is crazy. I only kid but have seen the aftermath of someone doing this, not pretty! 

 

Wd 40 is the best for cleaning. 

[durk]

I usually just hit the chain with a rag with some kerosene right after a ride while the chain is still warm to clean. Then I dry it a bit with a clean rag and finally spray it with some chain lube. I have done just the clean and lube with wd40, but it does not last as long. When on long trips, like when I went to the Dragon last year I did use wd at the end of each day. I just bought a small can and kept it in my tail bag. 

[dustinsn3485]

I'm terrible with chain maintenance. I keep a can of chain lube on the bike and a can at the house. Just lube it before most rides and if I do more than about 400 miles I'll lube it during the ride about that time.

I might clean it once a year with kerosene.

[Wojo72]

i hit it with a chain brush and WD40.   Then I have some chain wax shit that I slop on.

 

[Gixxus Christ!]

Kerosene and a nylon brush. Kerosene is cheap and can be reused several times. Once clean I go on a quick brisk ride and then hit it with klotz klr. Lasts a long time.

[Bad324]

This chain brush I had and someone bought me a thing of chain cleaner. After 5 years of owning the VFR it still looked brand new 

[2talltim]

Chains are such silly things.

[M_Quick]

Chains are such silly things.

Not if your working with 2 sprockets.

[Habi]

Dill or sweet? Wonder if the spicy would be better?

[hiro]

I guess I don't actually clean my chain. While the chain is warm, I just spay it with "Honda Chain Lube with Moly." It's just what I picked up in a local shop. From reading multiple sources, I would not use WD40 for cleaning. Maybe kerosene or a canned chain cleaner. 

[whaler]

1 hour ago, hiro said:

I guess I don't actually clean my chain. While the chain is warm, I just spay it with "Honda Chain Lube with Moly." It's just what I picked up in a local shop. From reading multiple sources, I would not use WD40 for cleaning. Maybe kerosene or a canned chain cleaner. 

Lots of misinformation and ignorant opinions out there. WD40 will not harm a chain in any way and cleans as well as kerosene.

[Tonik]

3 hours ago, hiro said:

I just spay it with "Honda Chain Lube with Moly." 

Consider switching to chain wax next time you need a can.  Put it on while the chain is hot, let it sit overnight. Outstanding lubrication and virtually no fling if you put it on hot and let it sit overnight.

[Wolfman1]

I use Royal Purple synthetic chain lubricant.  Goes on clear and dries like clear coat.  You have to wait overnight for it to completely dry.  I love it, no sling and it keeps my chain looking brand new.

[Wolfman1]

2 minutes ago, Isaac's Papa said:

ORLY? I am about out of chain wax. I love the way it works, but I hate how ugly it makes my chain. 

Yes. I am that superficial. I have carbon fiber mud guards, for fuck's sake. 

That is mostly why I switched from chain wax.  It worked great, but it is always sticky and made my chain and sprocket look like shit.

 

[Wolfman1]

Another option is DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver.  It is a wax based chain lube, but dries in 30 min or less.  It goes on quick like WD40 and dries really fast, but leaves a very light white film on the chain probably due to the molybdenum.  It will not fling and is not sticky.  Great for anything including dirt bikes and ATVs.

[DerekClouser]

I've recently picked up AMSoil chain lube and gave it the ole' college try.  It actually works really well.  I did a thorough cleaning of the chain using a chain degreaser (other option I use is kerosene) and let it dry.  Then I used the AMSoil chain lube and it set up really quick.  I only had an hour for it to set and I took off riding.  I had a nice ride and had no sling whatsoever.  I can't speak on if it picks up dirt from the road or not as I haven't had an extended period to check it out but so far I'm really impressed.