Do you guys degrease your chains?

[minion]

Hello,

I made the mistake of using some really crappy chain lube I had laying around on my chain early on when I bought my wr450. Well, the stuff never wore off, put has continued to collect dirt, sand, and every other nasty thing a trail can throw at it.

Do you guys ever take your chain off and soak them in something to clean them up? Or am I being too picky, and I should just ride it and be happy? The chain on it is the stock O-ring chain that came with it, and I've only got about 400 miles on the chain.

Thanks,

M.

[Numskull]

I sprayed my chain with chain lube once back in the '80s and it was the nastiest stuff, super sticky gunk.

I just use motor oil every once in awhile. You could try motor oil on it a few times and see if that wont clean it up, or clean it with some gas. Just dont blow your self up

I wouldnt use solvent as that could damage the orings.

[odonnks]

Try kerosine or wd 40

[642MX]

I use mineral spirits.

[new2blu]

Use kerosene it is much safer to use than any other type of highly flammable cleaners. Just one little spark with the high flame stuff and your day is ruined!

[tony1970]

Kerosene or diesel fuel, whatever one is cheapest now.

[tmckeown]

Hi,

Diesel fuel and paint brush

Timo Mc

[OneToGo]

Use kerosene it is much safer to use than any other type of highly flammable cleaners. Just one little spark with the high flame stuff and your day is ruined!

I read recently where Kero can damage a chains O-rings, is this true. [can anyone verify if WD40 has kerosene in it?? ] I think the story was in a recent Dirt Rider mag - some long desert ride. Also ,someone used WD40 on an O-ring chain and it proceded to self destruct. The WD 40 washed all the lube from the O-rings - may be they forgot to lube it later??

Personally, I use a good quality wet spray lube, let it soak (on the bike) wipe excess off with a rag. Then dry lube over the top so dirt does not stick..

Seems to work a treat.

Both a O-ring safe non-tacky spray lubes.

My .02 worth

[MountainMax]

I have searched here on this subject myself, there are lots if info and personal preferances out there too, but i too could not find good solid info.

[Matty05]

Do you guys ever take your chain off and soak them in something to clean them up? Or am I being too picky, and I should just ride it and be happy? The chain on it is the stock O-ring chain that came with it, and I've only got about 400 miles on the chain.

Your chain should still be in very good condition at 400miles.

I don't think too much of a clean is necessary, it is sealed, and any contact with solvents / cleaners / wd40 will only melt away the lube that the o-rings are there to seal in.

Just a quick wash with the hose and maybe a quick brushing of the sideplates is needed, for cosmetics only. If you use a good chain wax / dry lube, dust and dirt doesn't really stick. The lube doesn't really do much, you are just stopping the chain from rusting.

[J_DOGG]

to clean - Gas or WD40...

To keep rust free - I only spray WD40 on my chain..... nothing else.

[WGP]

I clean with Kerosene and (really)soft brush, let dry, soak or apply heavy coating of 10-40w motor oil (every other ride).

My new o-ring directions said wash off the factory lube with HOT soapy water, otherwise dirt will stick to it like crazy and shorten the life.

When in a rush after getting wet (either washing or wet ride) squirt some wd-40 on it.

I once watched my new chain rust right in front of my eyes when i didn't lube it after a wash

[Captain Bob]

I sprayed my chain with chain lube once back in the '80s and it was the nastiest stuff, super sticky gunk.

I just use motor oil every once in awhile. You could try motor oil on it a few times and see if that wont clean it up, or clean it with some gas. Just dont blow your self up

I wouldnt use solvent as that could damage the orings.

Numskull....

Gas is a solvent!

Bob