Please tell me you don't have it in gear while you are cleaning it with the microfibre towel, I remember reading about the guy that did that and it got caught and he fingers went through the sprockets and now they are no more.
Chain Cleaning -- what kind of gizmos or manual cleaning methods do you employ?
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Please tell me you don't have it in gear while you are cleaning it with the microfibre towel, I remember reading about the guy that did that and it got caught and he fingers went through the sprockets and now they are no more.
DON'T DO THIS!
A quick Google search will find all sorts of stories of people screwing this up. Even if you're saying you only use the brush with the engine running, it doesn't take much for the brush, clothing, whatever to get caught up in the sprocket and nothing good happens after that. It can even be dangerous when merely spinning the wheel by hand so I always spin the wheel backwards while servicing the bottom length of chain.
A graphic result of what can happen;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff262/dev1360/CIMG0014.jpg
Last edited:
bleed_blue
Banned
Oh damn
Mr.Azim
Well-known member
I spin the wheel free hand and keep an eye on what i'm doing, spinning the wheel backwards. No chance of losing any digits.
I'm terrified of doing any chain maintenance with the engine running.
Not just that, but if you have kids in your neighbourhood/pits/house... they like to touch spinning shiny gold things.
I'm terrified of doing any chain maintenance with the engine running.
Not just that, but if you have kids in your neighbourhood/pits/house... they like to touch spinning shiny gold things.
Just another point... I keep my son in the house when I service my motorcycle. It's just too risky... photos of missing fingers only reinforces this. God forbid the motorcycle drops on him.
And while I have never cleaned my chain with the engine running due to the obvious risks involved, I probably couldn't handle the exhaust smell either!
And while I have never cleaned my chain with the engine running due to the obvious risks involved, I probably couldn't handle the exhaust smell either!
Everything I've learned about working on cars/bikes is because of my dad showing me what he's doing. Wrap the kid in bubble wrap and show him how to use some tools.
noob_in_mid_age
Well-known member
Still looking for one of these... my local Canadian Tire didn't have any:
I got mine at snowcity cycle on kennedy rd
I don't bother cleaning my chains, unless riding through the rain counts. Unless you're off-roading, it's much more important in terms of chain and sprocket life to keep them well lubed and the tension well adjusted than it is to keep them clean.
I'm not saying you might not eke out a bit more life by being religious about cleaning your chain - if you like doing it, good on you. However for me I'm very happy with my chain and sprocket life without the cleaning.
Your mileage may vary.
I'm not saying you might not eke out a bit more life by being religious about cleaning your chain - if you like doing it, good on you. However for me I'm very happy with my chain and sprocket life without the cleaning.
Your mileage may vary.
redridernl
Well-known member
You're 50% right. Dirt wears chains. Lube is pointless, cleaning is key.
+1000
Was this on gixxer with pictures? I read it too. I NEVER lube the bike in gear anymore.
I use one of those old-style oil drop tins, and use engine oil on my chain with a rag. Cleaned, lubed, no fling, 5 minutes max. I'm at 24000 kms right now with no wear showing yet; been doing it for a long time.
